"I know, Coach."

"Y'all will have all the time in the world for girlfriends once you bring home state, but I need your head in the game, which means an early night tonight in your own bed, with no distractions."

"Yes, sir."

"I need my quarterback's head in the game. I need him in control. Cool, calm, collected, focused. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, alright. I'll see you on the field, son. We've got a lot of work to get through this morning."

"Yes, coach."

Hanging up the call, I tossed my phone on my girlfriend's unmade bed and sighed.

"Was that Coach?"

"Yep."

"It's five-thirty in the morning," Molly grumbled, appearing in the adjoining bathroom doorway, toweling her damp hair. "Can't they give you five minute's peace?"

"After tomorrow night, I'll have all the peace I want," I reminded her, feeling a nervous shiver roll through me. "Fuck, I can't believe it's almost over for me."

"The season?"

"High school football."

"Remember when you played in the pee-wee leagues?" Smiling, she stepped into the room and walked straight for me. "I used to come and watch you play every weekend."

"Yeah." I smirked at the memory. "I remember you coming to my games and then cussing out the other players from the sidelines."

"Hey, I was trying to support my best friend," she laughed. "Even back then, I knew you were gonna be a star."

I shook my head. "I'm not a star, Molls."

"Yeah, you are, D." Reaching up on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Own it."

When we pulled into the parking lot at school an hour later, the adrenaline that had been steadily rising inside of me was close to exploding.

You can do this, Daryl.

One last practice.

One more game.

Reckoning time.

Feeling pumped for practice, I headed towards the entrance, not realizing that I had lost my girlfriend until I reached the main door.

Quickly backpedaling, I jogged back to the parking lot and found Molly leaning against the side of my truck.

"Molls?" I called out, breaking into a run now as I watched her keel over. "Babe?" Closing the space between us, I hooked an arm around her small frame to steady her trembling body. "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine, I'm just…" Swallowing rapidly, she hunched over and dragged in several slow, steadying breaths. "Cramping."

"Cramping?" Awareness slowly dawned on me. "Shit." Wincing in sympathy, I unlocked the door of my truck before helping her back into the passenger seat. "Period coming in?"

"Must be," she bit out, doubled over on the seat. "Sorry about this."

"Don’t be dumb," I coaxed, rubbing her back. "It ain't like you can help it, Dolly."

"I'm, ah, I'm gonna wait here a little while until these cramps ease up."

"I'll stay with you," I offered, concern filling my gut now. "Or I can take you home –"