She and Brett moved off then, out of her father’s office, and she led them to the elevators that took them out to the tunnel, the locker rooms, the weight room and the practice field. Madi already loved it here. It was her favorite place to be. She got upset if her father came here without her. She knew she couldn’t come when she was at school, but she was here every second she could be.
Madi was different than her five-year-old sister, Brooke. Brooke was girly, liking dolls and makeup, and tea parties. Madi was a tom-boy; she preferred pants to dresses, hats and ponytails to curls, and would rather play football than babies any day—she hated playing babies, and that’s all Brooke ever wanted to do.
“Whoa,” Brett said as they passed through the locker rooms. “This is so cool.”
“I know. Just wait til you see the field. It’s huge.”
“So, you can throw a football?” Brett asked doubtfully as they came nearer to the mouth of the tunnel leading out to the practice field.
Madi gave him a little laugh. “Yeah, can you?”
Brett gave her a laugh in return. “Yeah. My dad says I got a good arm.”
“Maybe one day you’ll play here, for the Gladiators.” She grabbed the football, elbowed him, and ran off in the direction of the thirty-yard line. “Can you catch?” she asked and giggled again, launching the ball towards him.
He caught it roughly against his chest and looked at her like she’d just given him all the candy in the world. “Wow.”
“Just ‘cause I’m a girl don’t mean I can’t do what you can.” She sassed and planted her hands on her hips.
It took him a minute to respond. He grinned a crooked grin and gripped the ball in his hand, lining the laces up and threw it back to her. He had what her dad had called “good form,” making the ball fly in a spiraling straight line. Madi took a few steps back, shuffling quickly, and jumped, catching the ball against her chest with an, “Umph.” She fell to the ground hard. Her tumble and the sound of the ball hitting her caused Brett to run over to her and extend his hand out.
“Oh my gosh, are you ok? I’m sorry I didn’t mean to—”
Madi laughed, slapped his hand away and stood. “Got it. And that’s a fair catch, by the way. I maintained possession.” She cocked her brow, daring him to argue, using the words she’d heard her father use to impress the boy.
Brett laughed. He was pleased with her. The boy who didn’t like girls was happy with her. It made her heart fill with joy.
“Wanna do it again?” she asked.
“Maybe we should do some tosses instead. I don’t wanna hurt you.”
“Pssh, you aren’t gonna hurt me. Me and my daddy play catch all the time.”
Brett seemed impressed with that and chucked her chin. “Ok, Jerry Rice. But let’s run some routes, alright?”
“Ok.” Madi jumped in glee and handed the ball over to him.
They played for a time, even getting a little physical with some tackles, but the boy seemed to enjoy her company so it made her happy. They had fun, and soon, the coach was calling them back in. Madi knew it was close to time for the players to come practice. She took Brett’s hand as they entered the tunnel. She heard the noise before she saw the padded bodies coming at her but was too late to move. She was going to be hit, and there wasn’t anything she could do.
She felt a tug on her hand and felt arms wrap around her as she crashed into Brett’s chest. He tucked her head against him and turned, pressing her back to the wall of the tunnel, keeping them from being crushed by the giant football players entering the field. The noise of their running through the echoing tunnel seemed to go on forever before Brett pulled back some and looked down at her. Fear and relief painted his face—and she was sure her own. He gulped and ran a finger down her cheek.
“You-you saved my life. You’re a hero,” she said in awe of this boy who made her heart soar.
“That’s what heroes do, right?” He winked, took her hand, and they headed back to her father’s office.
CHAPTER SIX
Madi awoke to her phone ringing. It was Lathem Turner, their scout. She answered her phone on the third ring, “Hey, Scoop.” He was called “Scoop” as he had a nose for scooping up the best catches. He’d found Pax and TJ two years prior, Langley last year.
“I got a guy you’re gonna wanna look at, Madi. He’s awesome. Fast. Strong. Gonna make a great fill-in for Hunter.”
Madi’s breath took. How had she forgotten that they’d have to fill his spot? Her heart raced, but she was able to keep her cool and her head about her. No tears came to her eyes. That had to be a good sign, right?
“Oh, um…yeah, great.”
“I don’t mean to spring this on you, but his agent called me first thing this morning. You can tell me to piss off. I know you’re on vacation right now and probably not thinking about the team.” Ha, she was always thinking about the team. It was her life and had been since she was seven.
“No, um, it’s fine. If you think we should talk with him, then let’s do so.”
“Great. I already spoke to your father, and he wanted me to discuss it with you before we set anything up. His name is Quillan Layton; he was a TE for the Ravens.”
“Yeah, I remember him. His wife died last year, right? And he left.”
“Yes! But he’s wanting to come back this year. And he’s better than ever. His numbers at the Combine last month were impressive, Madi. I’m surprised someone hasn’t already grabbed him up.”
“Well
