One Of The Guys

Chapter 26

******Jake POV******

The guy is barreling towards Taylor. All I can think about is protecting Taylor. I jump in front and try to block, but the guy is too big, too strong. He knocks me over and falls on me. I can feel the pain, it's hurting so much. Too much pain. I can tell that he broke several bones in my body. The pain is so severe. I picture Taylor's face in my mind. Then the world goes black.

********Taylor POV********

"Miss. Please step off the field." The ref says to me, glancing around nervously.

"I. Can't." I gasp. Zach half drags, half carries me off the field.

"Taylor. An ambulance is coming. But unfortunately, the game has to be continued. They need you." Coach says sadly.

"I can't do it. Jake has always been right with me. He blocked for me. That should've been me. Oh my god, that should've been me!!!" I scream, crying even more.

"Okay. Okay." Coach says. You can tell he doesn't know what to do, but I don't care. Jake risked his career for me. That should've been me. Oh my god, it should've been me. But I'm sitting here, crying my eyes out. My team needs me to play this game, Jake needs me to win for him. After a few minutes, I take a deep breath, slow my tears, and stand up.

"Coach. I'm ready." I say, my voice shaking a bit. He seems doubtful, but then takes a look at my face.

"Okay. Get out there. But.......do it for Jake." Coach says, slapping my back. I run out there and join the huddle.

"Okay. Jake. Jake took a major fall. But we are still in this game. We can still win. We have so much time left. So win it for me. For the team. For Jake." I say, putting on my helmet.

By now, there's only 2 minutes left of the game. I didn't realize how long I'd been on that bench. I glance at the score board, still 29-29.

"Pride on 3." I try to yell. "1..2..3.." Garrett yells.

"Jake!!!!!!" They scream. That surprised me, but it was enough to get me going. We run out and the ref blows the whistle.

"Hike!!!" I yell. The ball is hiked to me. Everyone is blocking for me, but no one is open, leaving a path through the middle. I take the chance and sprint through the middle. It's very dangerous and I can hear Coach yelling at me. Someone dives, but I jump and keep running.

Do this for Jake. Win this for him. 10 yards. 9 yards. 8 yards. 7 yards. 6 yards. Almost there. 5 yards left. 4 yards. I'm panting and my lungs are screaming for air. 3 yards. 2 yards. So close and 1 yard left to go. I'm 2 feet away from the end zone and I get slammed from the back.

It hurts like hell and I feel myself going down, but I stretch my arm out and when I fall, my hand with the football is in the end zone. There are cheers all around me, my team is yelling and screaming. But I am aching. I hurt everywhere, but I get up anyways. Tom kicks the field goal and it goes through, leaving us ahead 37-29.

That's it. That's the game. The time runs out and everyone is celebrating. They lift me in the air and carry me on their shoulders, but I'm looking for one person, Jake. And he's not here. When we get to the locker room, Coach sits us down.

"I received news that Jake is still unconscious and had broken his leg and several ribs." Coach says gravely.

"I....I have to go." I get out before rushing out of the locker room.

"Let her go." I hear Coach say to someone, probably Zach. I go towards the parking lot when I realize, I rode the bus here.

"Taylor Green." Someone says. I look up. It's a scout, Mr. Blake. Probably one of the most important ones there are. He's a Stanford scout.