When Football is Life

Chapter 11: Three Little Words Go a Long Way

"Al, it's your move," Ethan said, later that night during our chess game. "where is your head tonight?"

I sighed and made a quick move on the board. 

"That's the billionth time tonight that you haven't been paying attention to this game." Ethan stated. 

"I dunno." I shrugged. 

"Get your head in the game," Ethan said. "I like a challenge." 

"Brett told me that he loves me." I whispered. 

"He what?" Mia sat up from her spot on the couch. 

"Al, dude." Ethan said, just as shocked as the rest of us. 

"Did you say it back?" Mia asked. 

"I was too shocked, but I called him beautiful." I bit down on my lip. 

Ethan burst out laughing. 

"You think he noticed that you didn't say it back?" Mia asked. 

I shrugged. 

"Al, if this messes with his performance for the game tomorrow," Brett scorned. "the team will hurt you."

"Ethan, stop it," Mia said, throwing a pillow at him. "Ally, do you think you feel the same way?"

"Can one of you explain to me how love is supposed to feel?" I asked. 

"Al," Ethan said, putting on a serious face. "I can tell that you love him." 

I was shocked by the words from my manly best friend. 

"I've noticed that you act so different with Brett than you do with the other guys." Mia said. 

"And the way you wanted to rip Liz's head off when she was around him." Ethan added. "yep, that's love."

I crossed my arms and sat back. 

"Tell him before it drives him crazy." Mia said. 

"Can we get back to this chess game now?" Ethan asked. 

"Fine." I sighed as I made my chess move. 

At halftime the next day, we were behind, 10-3. The defense was playing to the best of their ability, but Brett, Ethan, and the offensive line weren't performing at their best. 

Coach's speech during halftime was loud and harsh. He was filled with anger and yelled to the top of his lungs at the guys. 

I was taping guys and fixing scrapes and bruises as coach yelled at everyone. I felt like I was the reason Brett wasn't playing so well. I hadn't had time to tell him how I felt. 

At the start of the second half, it was the other team's ball. Brett sat on the bench waiting to get his eye cleaned up. I walked up and put my kit down beside him. I took out my cloth and prayed the anti-bacterial cleaner on it. 

"Close your eye." I commanded. 

As Brett closed his left eye, I dabbed his eyes lid with my cloth. 

"Keep it closed." I instructed as I reached back to my kit to get the ointment. 

I put a little on my finger and softly rubbed his eyelid with my finger. 

"Okay, all done." I said, putting everything back in my kit. 

Brett just sat on the bench and looked at me with a smug look. 

I took a deep breath and brought my face close to his like I was studying his eye. 

"I love you, Brett." I said to him.