Only Us (Justin Fields)

|79| Second Chance

Justin

After beating Northwestern we end up in the national football championship playoffs playing, yet again, the Clemson Tigers. Trust me when I say we didn't need to watch film from the last time we met, we remembered. We remembered every single thing. Still we study and we practice all for a chance to avenge ourselves and make a date in the National Championships.

The day comes and for the first time in a really long time I was nervous. I know losing here today wouldn't change much for my future. My stats are padded and even if we lose I had only lost two games I've ever played in in my college career. I think that's pretty good. But for my sanity and my confidence a win would be nice.

"You have really good skin" Lilly says as I lay my head in her lap. She was doing skin care on me which is kind of funny considering the biggest game of my life is in a few hours but it was pretty on brand for us.

"Thank you" I smile.

"I'm jealous. I know you wash your face but that's it and your skin is this even? It's not fair" she teases.

"I guess I'm just lucky" I claim.

"I guess you are" she agrees.

"I know I am because I have you. And I get to lay like this not even nervous about the game tonight" I say.

"Well I can be nervous for you, cause I am" she insists.

"It's only natural. Especially since you can't really do anything to change the outcome of the game. But I think it's cute" I smile.

"Of course you do" she rolls her eyes.

"And what if I lose" I ask her.

"We move on as we always do. It's okay to be sad, to feel upset and hurt. Denying those feeling helps no one. But we should also remember that as one thing ends another begins" she reminds me.

"And you'll be there with me no matter what" I question.

"Without a doubt" she promises.

We get to the game and time seems to fly. Before I knew it there was a few minutes left in the first half and we had the lead. It was a close game but it was already going better than last year.

I line up at the line of scrimmage in a third and long situation. A hurry up offense leaves the defense with little time to get set but is with little time to adjust to. But I'm confident in my line and in my players to know what to expect. So I call for the snap and drop back into coverage. Everyone was defended tightly and a hole opens up in the middle. We were already in field goal range but scoring again before the half would be huge for us.

So I do what I have done so many times before, and that's run. I get through the hole and into the secondary pretty quickly. And just as quickly I am brought to a screeching stop.

Crack

Suddenly the world goes black for a moment. I don't remember anything but looking up at the sky. I didn't pass out but everything from me getting hit to laying to the ground was blurred out.

I only come back to reality when I feel the sharpest pain in my side. I've been hurt before but this time was different. It felt like every time I took a breath someone was stabbing me with a dull knife through my ribs.

A few unattractive grunts pass my lips as I curl up into a ball. I see the trainer and coach appear and knew it couldn't be good.

"Justin! Hey son, talk to me. How are you" coach questions.

"I can't.. I can't breathe" I whisper.

I roll over until I was on my hands and knees. I was gasping for air but it felt like nothing came in.

"Hurry, get him to the tent" someone yells.

Suddenly I'm being lifted from the ground. It takes a few second but I find my footing. We walk over and I try to focus on my breathing. It was nearly impossible to think of anything but the pain to be honest.

Somehow we make it to the tent and they lie me down. My ribs were under my pads so it took a second to even access them.

"Justin" the trainer gasps.

"I know, you don't have to tell me. I can feel it" I admit.

"I think you're done for the night" he says.

"No" I reply.

"Son..." he trails off.

"I have waited a year, a whole year to come to things point. I am where I need to be and I am not leaving. Yes it hurts. Like hell it hurts but not more than knowing that I can go on and help my brothers win and I don't. It's broken ribs, I can handle it. If my body is still moving I am playing" I demand.

"There's no point if it gets worse" he tries.

"If I can't play... then there is no point at all" I correct.

He stares at me before a soft sigh passes his lips. "I am fixing you up at halftime, you hear" he warns.

"Yes sir" I nod.

When I emerge from the tent I had only missed one play. There was a lot of time spent reviewing the play and I'm just happy I missed them playing me getting my shit rocked over and over again. The other player got kicked out for targeting since he led with the crown of his helmet. I didn't care much since I could still play.

And the crazy part is that I played better with the broken ribs than I did with healthy ones. I end with six touchdowns and nearly 400 passing yards. I even got to sit out part of the 4th quarter since there was no point in me playing in my condition. We win by over 20 points and go home happy. I was in the most pain I had ever been in but it was worth it to have a chance to win a championship.

We get home pretty late and I was exhausted. They made me stay for some more testing on my ribs before deciding we will address it tomorrow.

I finally make it home and smile as I walk up to the door. As soon as I open it I see Jillian sitting in the doorway. She was slumped up against the wall softly snoring, how cute?

I close the door behind me and walk over to her. I crouch down as slow as I possibly could before moving some hair out of her face.

"Lilly, wake up. I'm home" I say softly.

She stares for a second before her eyes flutter open. As soon as she sees me her eyes grow big and she nearly flys up onto her feet. She goes to give me a hug but stops.

"I don't want to hurt you" she whispers.

"You won't" I assure her.

"Justin I was so scared. When you went down I..." she trails off.

"Don't worry. I'm a tough guy, I'll be okay" I promise.

"You don't get it" she whispers again. I see her eyes get glassy and I would honestly rather take that hit again than to see her like this. "I thought you were done for. You could hear your ribs crack from the stand. I hated it."

"I'm sorry" I say softly as I take her hand. I pull her into me and wrap her arms around my back. "But I'm okay, see."

She lifts my shirt to look at my ribs but I place my hand on hers to stop her. "Don't do that to yourself" I beg.

"I need to know that you will be okay" she insists.

"Then look in my eyes instead. It'll tell you all you need to know" I promise.

Her eyes meet mine and after a few seconds she starts to smile. "Welcome home" she says.

"Good to be home" I admit.