Ruthless knight

Cole

My team’s chants bounce off the walls as they rush into the locker room in one giant tidal wave. “Izzy! Izzy! Izzy!” 

I swallow a laugh. I knew they’d find the little fucker sooner or later. 

The clock on the wall snags my attention. Coach will be coming out of his office any second. 

Time to focus. 

I eye Dwight and Le

As if on cue, Coach Stalter yells, “All right. All right. Everybody touch somebody!” He claps his hands. “It’s time for our quarterback to lead us in prayer.”

Damn how I hate this part.

The irony of a non-believer leading the team in prayer before every game isn’t lost on me.

I snort. If only Sawyer was here to witness this.

If only I didn’t fuck up everything and make her hate my fucking guts. 

“Something fu

“Yeah,” I shout, covering up my fumble. “How badly we’re going to kick the Viking’s asses today!”

Everyone erupts in cheers and howls.

“Okay, okay, settle down!” he growls after a minute. “Take it away, Covington.”

“Dear, Lord,” I begin.

I may not believe in the almighty, but I believe in my team.

I believe in this sport.

And when I’m out on that field…I believe in myself.

“As we approach the big game, we ask that you be there to guide us through every move and be there to celebrate every touchdown with us.”

I draw in a deep breath. “May our feet be swift, may our muscles never tire…and may we never run out of hope and determination as we crush the Vikings into dust today. We are grateful for you, for the people in the stands who came to see us play, for our coach who never gives up on us…and for every single player on this team that I’ve had the honor of sharing the field with these past four years. Last season was a rough one, but please…help us bring home the championship this time.” Glancing up at the ceiling, I utter, “Lord knows, we’ve fucking earned it.”

I look around at my teammates, even Cortland, the fucker. 

Because every quarterback worth a damn knows he’s only as good as the team he has behind him. “Amen.”

The room erupts in cheers. Well, except Izzy, who’s still praying. 

Hey, whatever works. 

“Damn, Covington,” Dwight drawls. “That was beautiful.”

Coach clears his throat. “Well, shit. I don’t know how the hell we can lose after that.”

“We’re not going to,” I rumble.

“Damn straight,” Le

“Fuck, yeah!!” Dwight yells.

Coach starts motioning to the door. “Well, you can’t beat ‘em if you’re not on the field to play, now can you? Get your asses out there.”

The muscles in my chest draw tight. “Actually, I need another minute.”  

This is the last time we’ll all be in the locker room together, so it’s now or never.  

It sucks that it’s come down to this, but I told her I would fix this. 

 And I fucking meant it.