When Football is Life

Chapter 12: Miami vs Virginia Tech

Monday in English class, everyone was talking about the football team, the upcoming final game of the season, and plans for Thanksgiving with their friends and significant others. 

"Ally, what are your plans?" asked the girl in front of me. "Are you and Brett going to spend it together?"

I shrugged. "We have to get through this game and his birthday first."

"Oh," the girl smiled. "any plans for his birthday?"

"We'll be on a bus to Virginia..." I said slowly. "so that's the plan."

The girl slowly turned away from the awkwardness. 

"I'm such a bad girlfriend." I laughed at myself. 

Thursday night as I was packing for the trip to Virginia. I heard a knock at the apartment door. I was sitting on my bedroom floor and had no intentions on getting up. "Come in!" I yelled towards the living room. 

I heard the door open and close. Then I heard footsteps coming towards my room. "Babe." I heard Brett's voice. 

I looked up from my bag to see him standing in the doorway. "Hey, what's up?" I asked. 

"Stressed." Brett said, sitting down beside from me on the floor. 

"Why?" I asked, moving my bag out of the way and gesturing for him to lay his head on my lap. 

"This weekend is our last game of the season," Brett laid on the floor and rested his head on my lap. "we've had a good season, but it could have been better. This game will be the end. I'm just..." 

"Scared." I said, playing with his hair. 

"I didn't say that," Brett sighed. "but you're right."

"What about your birthday? What do you wanna do?" I asked. 

"Beat Virginia." Brett said. 

I sighed and looked up at my clock. "Thirty minutes 'til your birthday." I smiled. 

"Well then I'm in the right place to receive my first present." Brett smiled sitting up and turning to me. 

"Who said you could have me?" I joked. 

"Who else will?" Brett chuckled as he leaned in and kissed me. 

"Um, excuse me," I said, leaning away after the kiss. "anyone would love to have me."

"But I'm the lucky one." Brett smiled, pulling me closer to him. 

"I love how quickly your mood just changed." I laughed. 

"You do it to me." Brett blushed. 

"Aw!" I laughed, pinching his cheeks. 

"Babe, stop it." Brett said as I still held onto his cheeks. 

I laughed and let them go quickly. 

"I love you." Brett said, kissing me and laying me down on the floor. 

"It's not your birthday yet." I joked before things got too far. 

"I seriously have to wait 'til midnight?" Brett sighed. 

"Yes." I laughed. 

"Happy birthday, bro," all the guys said to Brett as they got on the bus. "we gonna win this game for your birthday, man!" 

I could tell that the stress of the game was getting to him as he fidgeted with the playbook in his hand. I took his right hand into mine and looked up at him. 

"Calm down, babe." I smiled. 

Brett lifted up one side of his mouth in a half smile and brought my hand up to his mouth for a kiss. "I appreciate you so much," he said. "you're the best birthday present I've ever had."

I had to make a joke out of that one. "I'm sure when you were little you got a toy that was so much better than me." I laughed. 

"Nope," Brett chuckled. "you're the best so far."

"Enjoy your birthday on this bus today, then stress about the game tomorrow." I said as the coaches got on the bus  and closed the doors behind them. 

We were behind the Hokies by a field goal at the half on Saturday. It was a bright and clear day, so there was no reason why we would lose this game. During halftime, I made sure that our starting kicker was in tip top shape for the upcoming play that would result in a field goal. Ethan and Brett studied their playbooks together so they were prepared for the second half.

"Now let's get out there and kick some Hokie pokey ass!" Coach yelled once halftime was over.

After our field goal tied the score, we were able to turn over the ball from the Hokies and score a touchdown with an extra point. We kept possession of the ball as the clouds started to crowd over the field.

"Oh no." George and I looked at each other.

George grabbed his training bag and tossed a poncho to me. He put on one himself, as the rain began to pour.

The game continued on. The Hokies couldn't contain their composure as their quarterback passed the ball right to one of our players which resulted in a touch down for us.

With forty-nine seconds left in the game, we were up 31-20. We played the clock down. I packed up my wet training bag as the rain seemed to die down. We had just won our last game of the season. I honestly couldn't wait to get back down to Miami to drink and smoke until I fell asleep.

"Turn up!" Ethan yelled as he ran over to me.

"Good win!" I smiled back as we did our handshake and chest bumped. "Ow." I said as his chest pads hit my chest forcefully.

"My bad," Ethan laughed. "I hate that we have to sit on this twelve hour bus ride back home after this great win." He said as we walked back to the locker room.

"I don't wanna think about it." I chuckled.  

By the time we got back down to Miami, it was around noon on Sunday. Brett and I went to a local Puerto Rican restaurant that one of my cousin's owned. 

"Hola, Ally!" She greeted me when we walked in. 

"Hola, prima." I smiled. 

She led Brett and I to a booth and handed us menus. 

"How was game?" She asked. 

"We won, prima, pero we are here celebrating his birthday." 

"Feliz cumpleanos, chulo," She smiled to Brett. "two Coronas?"

"Si, gracias." I smiled as I picked up my menu and she walked away. 

"I love hearing you speak Spanish," Brett smiled. "turns me on...a lot."

I smiled and rolled my eyes. 

"Have people been asking you about plans for Thanksgiving?" I asked, curious. 

"A few people," Brett said, still looking down at his menu. "not sure why they're asking."

"Me neither," I sighed. "but what are you doing?"

Brett looked up from the menu. "I hadn't really thought about it. What does your family do?"

"We play football all day, then my mom's family gets together here. We celebrate with turkey and Hispanic food. Then we dance all night." I explained. "Are you going home?"

"I think I'm staying here," Brett said. "my family can have me for Christmas."

"Wanna celebrate Thanksgiving with me?" I asked with a smirk. 

"If you don't mind." Brett smiled. 

"Of course I don't mind!" I smiled back as he reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze.