Chapter Four: The Seven-Million-Dollar Reserve

Eli would have less than two seconds. “Give it to Lin!” Grant shouted through the headset. “Make him turn that state on!” For the first time, Lin knew his coach understood there was a switch. Two defenders sealed both sides after the snap. A crimson YES appeared in answer to Route Preview. Lin chose no. Instead of taking the system's opening, he collided with the inside corner and spun off the contact. The safety attacked. Lin sank his hips, a movement practiced ten thousand times, and stepped backward. Eli's pass skimmed a linebacker's fingers. Catch. Turn. Fourteen yards. On the next snap, the running back scored. 27–23. The Storm had won two straight. Grant embraced Lin, then demanded, “Why didn't you explode sooner?”