The Game You Play (Rixon Raiders 2)

@ThatcherQB1: Raiders better watch out, the Tigers are on the prowl #Tigersgohunting #Raiderscansuckit

“Doesn’t Thatcher’s cousin play for the Tigers?” he asked me as I handed back his cell.

Shrugging, I grunted. “Fuck if I care. He’s just bitter we put their asses in the ground Rival’s Week.” We’d played them a couple weeks back. It had been a dog fight, both teams refusing to roll over. But, in the end, we got the win, and Thatcher had gone back to Rixon East with his tail between his legs.

“Should we be worried?” Cam leaned in, whispering in my ear.

“Do I look worried?” Thatcher was clutching at straws. He couldn’t touch me on the field, and he knew it.

“Hey.” Cam’s hand pressed against my chest as I went to move. “You sure you’re good?”

“Millington are going down and I’m going to enjoy every fucking second.” I grinned, but Cameron didn’t share my enthusiasm. In fact, he looked miserable as hell.

“He can’t touch me out there.” My expression grew serious. “You don’t need to look so—”

“Grady,” Coach boomed, startling us. “That better not be a cell phone I can see on game night. Lock it away, Son. Now.”

“Sorry, Coach,” Grady grumbled, flipping me off when I smirked at him.

“Gather in, ladies,” Coach Hasson’s voice echoed around the locker room. We all moved in, dropping into formation around him. I kneeled, helmet tucked onto my knee, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

“Game six,” he said. “Win tonight and we’re only one more game away from securing our place in the play-offs. We’re the team to chase, the team to beat. But that doesn’t mean we can get cocky, you hear me?”

“Yes, Sir,” rang out, vibrating through me.

“Millington have a strong defense and a quick offense. Don’t underestimate them. I want eyes open, give Chase a clear path, and for the love of God, keep your eye on your QB.”

Our defense grunted another, “Yes, Sir.”

“Chase,” Coach said to the guy standing at my side. “You good?”

“Yes, Coach.”

“Glad to hear it, Son. Anything changes and you let me know, okay?”

Cam nodded, his eyes sliding to mine. So much passed between us my chest constricted. He’d missed our last game due to his mom being in the hospital, but he was back now and he was hungry for it. I saw it in his eyes, knew I was reflecting the same back at him. We were so close. So fucking close I could almost taste it. Last year, we’d lost out to a shot at the championship but this year it was ours. Do or die, I was getting my championship ring before I graduated.

“Anything you want to add QB?” Coach asked me, his eyes conveying every conversation we’d had during practice this week.

Keep your cool.

We’re almost there.

Lead them to victory, Son.

Letting my eyes run over every one of my teammates faces, I said, “We do what we do every week, go out there and play like we want it. Like we deserve it. We’re Raiders. And what are we going to do?”

“WIN,” the roar of my teammates, my brothers, slammed into me, fueling the fire already raging in my chest.

“That’s what I like to hear. Asher, Son, care to do the honors?”

“Sure thing, Coach.” Asher jumped to his feet, bouncing around like fucking Tigger on steroids. “Who are we?” he cried.

“Raiders,” our voices carried over the rumble of the crowd outside.

“I said who are we?”

“RAIDERS.”