Chapter Three: Ninety-Seven Yards

Pain drilled through Kai's temples. Every thought left a shrill echo. He heard a corner swear he would not let Eli outside again, and a safety remind himself to protect the boundary. Kai shouted three false calls, then changed Eli to a deep post. At the snap, both defenders widened. A seam opened. Kai released as a hit knocked him down. From the grass, he watched the ball descend through stadium light. Eli leaped between two defenders. The ball touched his fingers, shook once, and disappeared against his chest. Thirty-four yards. Fifteen seconds. At the nineteen, Kai almost vomited. Grant finally stopped ordering surrender. “Spike it! Stop the clock!”