Under the Lights

Prologue

Noah - Eight Months Ago

 The rush of playing football never gets old. The sound of helmets crashing into each other as the teams compete for possession of the ball is exhilarating. Being the one to decide where the ball goes to continue the play sends adrenaline coursing through my veins, and playing in the championship game? There is no better feeling.

The championship game for the American Football Organization, the AFO Cup, takes place at the end of January. Usually in a warm state like Texas or Florida. This year the game is being held in Dallas, Texas, home of the Dallas Devils football team. Playing for Dallas for the past three years has been nothing short of successful, and winning the championship game right now would be the icing on the cake. We've been close in previous years, falling short in key games each time.

There's thirty seconds left in the fourth quarter, and we are leading the Tampa Bay Tornados by three points. It's the closest the game has been, with Tampa Bay closing in on us. We have possession of the ball, however we are deep on our own side. Nevertheless, having possession is a good start to finishing this game off and ending the season on the ultimate high note.

The football finds its way into my hands like it has thousands of times over the years. I react quickly, observing my passing options seeing wide receiver Sage Collins wide open. I launched the ball in his direction hoping and praying that Collins would catch it. The ball was about to be caught by Sage, when out of nowhere a Tornados uniform crossed in front of him, snatching the ball away.

The Tornados player, Jase Harper, expertly runs past our offensive line and dances into the end zone, completing a game altering pick-six. My stomach drops. Our three point lead turned into a three point deficit in the matter of fifteen seconds. I hang my head as I walk off the field. There is nothing more devastating than giving away any hopes of winning the championship. Not only to my teammates and coaches, but to the fans as well.

I couldn't watch as their kicker scored the extra point to make the lead four points, and I couldn't watch as the clock wound down to zero. Final score 28-24 for Tampa Bay. I couldn't look any of the opposing team's players in the eyes as I wished them congratulations for a hard fought game, and I kept my head low as I sulked back to the locker room.

I shut everyone out as I quickly showered off, in the hopes of washing the disappointment of the game away, and the dread of seeing my father afterwards. Nothing helped ease the tension rolling through my body. I was used to the disappointment of losing important games, but nothing compares to losing the championship game. I packed my backpack and started the walk back to my car, the images of Harper snatching my perfect pass replaying in my mind.

Once I was settled into my car, I looked at my phone. There were a bunch of messages from my teammates, some from other friends, and one from my father. My blood turned cold, even though I was expecting a message from him.

Father: I will be at your place. We need to talk.

Talks with my father never ended well. All of the possible scenarios of what could happen played through my mind on the five minute drive to my condo in downtown Dallas. I don't know why I did, I already knew what was coming.

When I walked into my condo, my father was already there, sipping on a glass of whiskey. Just like I expected him to be. I sighed, set my backpack down and joined him in my kitchen, knowing what was about to ensue.

"Son," He grunted, setting his glass down on the marble countertop. "What the hell was that game? You should know from watching all that film these past few weeks that Harper is fast and that he would be there anticipating your shitty pass."

Dread seeped down to my bones, despite knowing that this was coming, and the worst was yet to come. "I'm sorry, you're right."

"I know damn well I'm right son. You make the same mistakes time and time again, I'm wondering if you'll ever learn from them. I didn't invest all of my time and money for you to be the biggest fuck up in the league."

Red hot anger starts to course through my blood at his words. "You know what? Yeah maybe I should have anticipated Harper being there, but Collins was also the only open player and my only hope at making a completion. So before you get angry with me, maybe you should consider that." I already know at this point that my face is beet red.

"Oh Noah, you'll never change, and that's why you will never win a championship."

"What would you know about ever winning a championship?" My father never played professional football. An injury in college made sure of that. So my father made it his mission in life to make a professional football player.

My comment angered my father. He stood up and put his face inches from mine. "Son, maybe you should watch what you say before you regret it."

I laughed in his face. I couldn't help it. It was the same damn thing every time my team was fucked out of an important game, from junior leagues up until now. Although this game was my fault, he always makes every loss my fault. My laugh aggravated him, like it usually does. Except this time it wasn't usual. He usually throws another snarky comment my way. This time he grabbed me and shoved me against the wall."Don't you ever laugh at me again. Do better Noah. God knows I'm tired of you acting like a fuck up on the field," he gives me a hard shake, "Pull up your fucking socks and give me results next season."

I'm transported back to my childhood with the way my father is acting right now. He hasn't laid a hand on me since I was big enough to fight back, and that was when I was seventeen.

"I don't need this shit dad, let me go and get the fuck out of my place." I sneered in his face.

He gives me one last hard glare before letting go of my shirt. He downed the last of his glass of whiskey and left. I stood there in his wake shocked. Then my feelings of surprise turned into feelings of anger and disappointment when I remembered the reason for his visit in the first place.

We lost. Thanks to my perfect pass to Jase Harper.

Damn you Harper. I hope you enjoy the win this season, because it will be the last one you'll ever get.