Chapter Two: The Play You Fear

Kai had no helmet now, no secret voice to guide him. “I saw your leg shake. I won't tell anyone.” “Why?” “Because I want you blocking for me next week.” Mountain studied him, then walked away. After several steps he said, “Six tomorrow. Line-room film. If you want protection, don't be late.” It was more valuable than acceptance. It was admission to the locker room's center of power. That night, the team posted its first preseason rotation. Marcus would play one quarter, the second quarterback a quarter and a half, and Kai would split the rest with number three. A fifteen-second clip of Kai's deep touchdown went viral under the headline: MYSTERY ROOKIE CHALLENGES $100 MILLION MAN?