Chapter Three: Ninety-Seven Yards

Grant praised his “veteran decisions.” The second quarterback played a quarter and a half, and the Storm fell behind 24–13. Number three was scheduled next, but with five minutes left in the third, a blindside sack folded his ankle beneath a defensive end. Grant turned. “Lin. Warm up.” Mara stopped Kai at the boundary and handed him a new wristband. “Their second defense changed its structure. It isn't on preseason film.” “What is it?” “I don't know. So don't trust only what you hear.” She did not know his secret, yet had found exactly the warning he needed. Kai entered his first professional huddle. Most of the men around him were awaiting release. Several did not have photographs in the playbook.