The Road to L.A. (5 page)

The third quarter flew by with the Wildcats scoring three touchdowns, much to the chagrin of Coach Harmon.  The fourth quarter started with a renewed sense of hope that the Panthers would score another touchdown to win the game.  Out on the field, the Panthers had the ball at their 30-yard line.  Jake hiked the ball.  He passed the ball to Roy, and Roy charged across the field.  He dodged the Wildcat defenders before eventually being tackled at the 3-yard line.  Carly glanced at the clock and noticed that there were only 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter.  The Wildcats were up 28 points to the Panthers’ 21 points.  Carly glanced up at the bleachers and noticed that the Panthers’ crowd seemed a bit on edge.  Suddenly, the Wildcats’ head coach called for a time-out.  Jake nodded in Carly’s direction as the teams retreated to their respective sidelines.  Coach Harmon decided to give the Panthers a quick pep talk.  The players were all huddled around Harmon, their faces marked with sweat and determination. 

              “This is all we need to do to win, boys.”

Coach Harmon turned to face Roy. 

“I’m leaving it in your hands.  We’re going to run it straight up the middle.” 

Roy nodded.   The pressure of the game coupled with the intense stadium lights only served to increase his aggressiveness.  He could hear the shouts from the spectators, vehemently urging the Panthers to claim their victory tonight. 

              “I got this, Coach,” Roy panted, a surge of adrenaline suddenly rushing through his body.  Jake rubbed the sweat off his forehead and glanced at the clock.  He breathed in hard, feeling the pressure to win at all costs.  He felt like a soldier preparing for battle.  Jake glanced at his father and then at the masses of people cheering them on.  They had to win.  There would be no second place tonight. 
  

Before he knew it, the players had assembled onto the field again.  As the players got into their huddle, Roy told Jake, “Just give me the ball, and I’ll do what we need to get it done.” 

Jake nodded and replied, “You got it.” 

Jake and the rest of the players got into position.  The teams lined up.  Jake hiked the ball and turned around.  As Roy ran toward Jake, the quarterback handed the ball to him.  Roy, in turn, tucked the ball under his arm and proceeded to run toward the defensive line, preparing himself for the impending impact.  He struggled to breach the wall of defenders.  Sheer will turned into unbending might as he forced his way through the human blockade.  He could feel every muscle in his hard body working to propel him forward.  At that moment he thanked himself for all those hours spent working out in the gym, working his body until the overworked muscles beneath felt like solid steel.  Roy could hear the Wildcats’ coach screaming at the defense and the crowds above cheering with wild abandon.  Roy gritted his teeth and pushed his body forward, the echo of Coach Harmon’s motto reverberating through his mind.  He stumbled across the end zone and a roar erupted from the Panthers’ side of the stadium.  The referee yelled, “Touchdown!”

Jake and the rest of the team shouted with unbound joy, rushing toward their hero still crouched in the endzone.  The Lakeview cheerleaders bounced happily about the field shouted in unison with the ecstatic spectators.  Carly happened to glance in Coach Harmon’s direction and noticed his content expression.  Carly wasn’t surprised at his aloof stance.  She knew that the only time Harmon would show any real satisfaction would be when the Panthers won the state championship, just like they had done last year and the year before that.  If they won against the Cleveland Harris High School Highlanders next week, they would definitely be guaranteed a spot in the state playoffs.  That was Harmon’s ultimate goal.  Jake ran up to Carly and lifted her up, then set her back down and gave her a big hug.  His powerful body was pressed hard against hers, and she could feel his sweat permeating her clothes.  She took a deep breath and took in the smell of his sweaty, masculine odor that strangely pleased her senses.  He kissed her forehead before releasing his hold on her, then jogged toward the locker rooms where a hoard of screaming spectators stood on the sidelines shouting.  Before Roy and Jake could escape inside the locker room, however, Chasity Morgan stopped them for an interview.  Chasity was a reporter for the Clanton Chronicle, and she rarely missed out on an opportunity to interview a high school football player.  She was always able to catch the star players for an exclusive interview before they were able to slip away.  She also always appeared at the games in some sort of revealing outfit that purposely lent notice to her long, shapely legs.  Roy’s eyes moved down to the rim of her short mini skirt, and he smiled to himself.   He noticed Jake’s furtive glances as well and wondered how they would make it through this interview without staring at Chasity’s legs.  Chasity eagerly pressed the boys for their thoughts on tonight’s game.  After the star players had answered her more generic questions, Chasity changed her line of questioning toward a topic that seemed of strong interest to a lot of people.  With unbridled zeal, she piped, “So, tell me how it feels to know that scouts from several of the nation’s top schools were seated in those bleachers watching tonight’s game?"

Chasity thrust the microphone into their faces and eagerly awaited an answer. 

              “Feels pretty damn good,” Roy replied, chuckling smugly.  “In fact, I’ve got a meeting with one of them tomorrow.  Let me tell you, I’ve been wined and dined.  But that’s what happens when you’re that damn good.”

Chasity glanced at Jake, her green eyes sparkling with anticipation as she awaited his answer.

              “It’s cool, I guess,” he said.  He was a bit distracted by the commotion emanating from the locker room. 

              “Well,” Chasity grinned, her voice purposefully soft and seductive, ”you boys sure are the town’s celebrities these days.  As if you didn’t already know that.  You’ve got a lot of people looking at you.”   

She gave a flirtatious toss of her long hair and deliberately grazed her fingers over her exposed upper thigh.  The move didn’t escape the boys.  Jake could have sworn Chasity was intentionally trying to entice them.  And it was working.  Until they were interrupted. 

              “Let’s wrap it up, Chasity.  Let these boys go home and celebrate,” the Chief Editor of the Clanton Chronicle said.  His little 8-year-old son was in tow.  The Chief Editor grinned at Jake and Roy and explained, “I just wanted to introduce you boys to my son, Eddie.  He wants to be a football star just like you guys.  Isn’t that right, son?” 

The little boy appeared timid and clung close to his father.  Chasity, in the meantime, had abandoned them, deciding to interview other players that still hung around on the sidelines.  Roy was a little disappointed, for he had wanted to see how far Chasity would perpetrate her seductive display.  And he had a feeling it would’ve been worth it.  

              “He’s a big fan,” the Chief continued, urging little Eddie forward. 

              “Hi, Eddie,” Roy and Jake chimed in unison.  The little boy’s expression quickly changed to one of pure delight as the two “giants” leaned down and patted him on the shoulders.

              “Good job tonight,” the Chief commended with a gruff voice that matched his gruff appearance. 

              “Thanks, sir,” Roy and Jake said politely. 

              “The way you boys are playing, we definitely will be headed for the state playoffs.  No one in town expects anything less.   Your daddy’s done a fine job coaching this team.” 

The Chief paused to pat Jake on the shoulder before continuing, “By the way, I was wondering if you’d be kind enough to give Eddie an autograph.” 

Roy and Jake were happy to oblige. 

After providing little Eddie with an autographed signature on the young boy’s Lakeview Panthers baseball cap, Jake and Roy retreated into the locker room. They had a long night of celebrating ahead of them, and they wanted to make sure they got started without any further interruptions.

Chapter Five

Carly and the twins had been waiting patiently for nearly half an hour in the parking lot when Jake and Roy finally emerged from the locker room.  Following close behind them were Chad and several other football players.  Aaron sighed and mumbled sardonically, “Great.  Looks like I’ll be forced to enjoy Chad’s company tonight.” 

Amanda jabbed her brother in the side and then took off in Jake's direction, leaving Carly and Aaron to follow at a more leisurely pace.  When Carly and Aaron had finally joined the group, Chad informed them of the plans for that night to celebrate the victory against Westhill.  There was to be a party at a classmate's farm with lots of beer, liquor, and a bonfire.  Chad offered to drive everyone because he had the most room in his SUV. Carly, Amanda, and Roy all climbed into the backseat, while Jake laid claim to the front passenger seat.  Aaron remained outside, surveying the crowded truck. 

              “Aaron, you can sit on my lap if you want,” Carly offered playfully.

To that, Chad said devilishly, "How about you sit on my lap, Cabrerra." 

              “I think I'd rather opt for Aaron's lap, thank you,” Carly replied to the churlish comment. 

Aaron took the hint and traded places with Carly so that she could plop herself on top of him.  After positioning herself so that she was comfortable, Carly happened to glance at her best friend in the passenger seat and noticed his odd expression.  She could have sworn he wore a scowl on his face and wondered why.   Before she could ask Jake what was wrong, Chad's crude character resurfaced to annoy her further.   

              “You would've been much more comfortable on top of me, Carly.  Trust me," he said while winking at her.   

To that, Carly just rolled her eyes. 

              “I could get used to this,” Aaron teased. 

              “You fucking done back there so we can go already,” Jake snapped at the male twin, surprising everyone. 

Aaron decided to ignore the surliness in Jake’s tone and said rather cautiously, “Whoa, Jake.  What’s wrong with you?”

After an awkward moment of silence, Jake finally responded in a normal tone, “Nothing. I’m just…not feeling like myself.  Sorry.” 

He turned and forced a smile to reassure everyone, which worked to brush the matter aside.  However, he remained disturbed by the idea that seeing Carly so physically close to Aaron had set him off.  He didn't like that at all and it made him extremely uncomfortable, especially since he didn't understand it.  Deciding he needed to encourage everyone to return to their former enthusiastic selves - and that he needed a distraction from his thoughts - Jake steered the course of conversation to the game win.  The former electricity soon returned and before long everyone was in high spirits.  Laughter, banter, and excited conversation filled the cab. It didn't take long for them to reach their destination. Chad pulled his truck onto the grass which served as a makeshift parking lot.  Carly was the last to climb out.  She immediately saw the huge bonfire and gazed at the massive structure as if completely mesmerized.  She also took notice of all the people standing around it.  It seemed to her that nearly half of Lakeview High School’s student body had shown up for Taylor’s party, which was being held on his parents’ 180-acre farm on the outskirts of town.  This was definitely a huge party. Walking in the direction of the bonfire, Carly, Jake, Chad, Roy, and the twins were greeted with Taylor's hospitality as the boy handed each a beer out of a cooler.  He then said, "It’s about time you guys showed up.”   He grinned and said, "You know it's not a party until you get here."

The "you" Taylor was referring to was unmistakable as he shook hands with Roy, Jake, and then Chad.  Carly felt a little sorry for Aaron.  No one ever really took note of the nerd.  But then she figured the boy was used to it.  Even now, looking at the twin, it appeared he wasn't really bothered by it.  His eyes were on the bonfire, and he appeared genuinely intrigued by it. Deciding she wanted to get closer to it, Carly separated from the group.   As she neared the burning structure, she could feel the heat warming her face.  She stared as if hypnotized by the orange fury that blazed angrily against a contrasting backdrop of nighttime darkness. Aaron soon joined her.  He nudged Carly’s arm, and once he had her attention, he pointed at his sister.  Carly turned to look and saw Amanda next to Jake.  The female twin was taking several long sips from the beer can in her hand. 

“I predict that after that one can of beer, Amanda is going to be completely inebriated,” Aaron said.  “I mean, look at her, she’s gulping it down way too fast.”

“I’m sure she just wants to fit in with the guys,” Carly reasoned, “You know how she is.”

“Yeah,” Aaron concurred, seating himself on a log in front of the bonfire.  Carly sat next to him and set her water bottle on the ground. 

She was still a bit bothered by Jake’s sudden mood change in Chad's truck before they had headed out to the party.  After a few moments of contemplating she said to Aaron, "I wonder what all that was about earlier.  Jake doesn't usually snap like that.  And he sure has hell never snapped at you like that."

She paused and glanced in Jake’s direction before continuing. 

              “I just can't stop thinking about it.  It's weird."  

Aaron nodded and said, “Yeah, I know what you mean.  It caught me off guard.”

Carly turned to spy on her best friend again.  She saw that Amanda had finished her beer, for the can was no longer in her hand and her behavior was becoming more and more erratic by the second.  It wasn’t like Amanda to be giggly and affable, and she was also being extremely affectionate with Jake.  Her arm was perched up on his shoulder, and she was also leaning in close to him as if she were telling him a deep secret.  Aaron noticed his sister’s behavior and remarked, “I told you.  The alcohol is having its effect.  Not to mention, Chad just gave her another can.”