Chapter One: Day 992 on the Bench

meeting-room table. “Kane is out. Harris takes X. Duke plays the slot.” He paused. “Lin, you’re in for four-receiver packages and every coverage unit on special teams.” Lin raised a hand. “Coach, Empire’s third corner gives up the inside in the red zone because he expects safety help. If we—” “Your job is to run what’s in the book,” Grant cut in. “Watching film isn’t playing football.” Eli deliberately stayed behind after the meeting. He handed Lin a folded piece of paper. It was the double-move route from the notebook. “I put it on the wristband. Number ninety-nine.” “Coach won’t call it.” “Then we wait until he runs out of choices.” The Empire Dome was full the next afternoon.