Chapter Three: Ninety-Seven Yards

Mountain, whose work should have been finished, fastened his helmet and joined them. “Coach told you to rest,” Kai said. “Didn't hear him. Call the play, quarterback.” On the first snap, Kai heard a left linebacker planning an inside rush and changed the protection. At the snap, that player dropped while the right safety attacked. Kai barely threw the ball away before taking a shot to the chest. The defense was exchanging assignments with late calls. A thought could be true and still change one second later. Hearing was not prophecy. Kai followed the original call next: a quick slant to Eli for nine. Mountain's line moved the chains on third-and-one. Rhythm came.