I line up under Zach Sawyer, praying he has enough self-respect not to fuck up the snap, and call “Hike!” Thankfully, he doesn’t let himself look like a complete douchebag by messing it up, and as soon as the ball hits my hands, I drop back and see Kennedy’s chosen Option B, sending a pathetic three-man rush after me.

I roll out of the pocket and pretend for half a second like I’m searching for an open receiver, just enough to make Coach think this really was a spontaneous call, and then I tuck it under my arm and run downfield like the fucking wind, keeping the sideline in my sights for when I inevitably get plowed. By the time I take a hit to the side that knocks me out of bounds, I know I’ve gotten a first down, and the roar of the crowd only confirms it for me.

The team, unsurprisingly, is not as thrilled. “What the fuck, Walsh?” Dan demands, coming up to crowd me. “That’s not the play!”

“Oh crap, sorry about that. Guess your girl fucked up.” Can they see my shit-eating grin behind my mouthguard? I hope they can see my shit-eating grin behind my mouthguard. “Let’s try that again. I’ll get it right this time.”

“You better,” Devlin says menacingly, and the other guys murmur their agreement, except for Santiago and, I can’t help but notice, Burke.

Is he just being quiet, or is it possible he’s not as convinced as the other guys to throw this one? He’s never treated me quite as horribly as they have, always choosing to ice me out rather than actively be an asshole. Having one more guy on our side would definitely help.

Do I wanna chance it?

I decide to keep it in my back pocket in case I get desperate, but for now, I’m sticking with Santiago. We line up again, and there’s not even a pretense at being happy we got a first down, but that’s fine; I’m feeling cocky as shit now and I know—I know—this is gonna work. I exchange a glance with him, just brief enough to confirm we’re going ahead with the plan, and then we line back up while everyone around me mutters into the wind. I bought us all the yardage I could, but I’m not gonna get away with it twice, so I hope he’s ready to run like hell.