Hendrix - Kelsey Clayton

1

COLBY

Everyone has that one true thing in their life. A childhood friend. A high school sweetheart. A trusted adult. Mine, on the other hand, is football. The tension of the game and the burning need to win—it’s everything. My best memories, my most cherished moments, the turning points in my life, all follow the pigskin.

My earliest memory is being four years old and running down the field with a ball in my hand. Granted, I was going the total wrong direction and the touchdown I scored was for the other team, but it was the most fun I'd ever had. Once I got a sense of direction and learned the rules, my parents had to force me to come in for dinner.

Pressing all my weight into my heels, I jump as high as I can to catch the ball that's soaring through the air. The power behind the throw makes the widest grin stretch across my face, knowing that the person who threw it—my best friend and favorite player—is finally back from a two-year injury.

Asher Hawthorne smirks as I jog across the field to him. It must feel good, to get back to what he loves after so long. It was two years ago when a couple of asshole players from another team sacked him from opposite directions and screwed his shoulder. After an experimental surgery and more dedication than I've ever seen in my life, he's been cleared to play again. His first game back is this Monday, and I can't fucking wait for it.

“Goddamn, I've missed your throws,” I tell him. “You're definitely ready for this weekend.”

He nods slowly, stretching out his shoulder. “I still want to practice some more.”

“Ash, we've practiced every day for the last month. I'm telling you—you're ready.”

My words don't do enough for his confidence because he sighs. “One more hour?”

“All right, fine,” I cave. “But we're taking tomorrow off.”

The corners of his mouth raise and he backs up, getting ready to throw the ball. I groan and take off running.

ONE OF THE BEST parts of having money are the luxuries. For example, when one of your best friends is across the country for school, you can do things like hire a private jet to bring her home for Asher's first game back on Sunday after being out of the game for two years. She's probably going to kill me for it, the same way she wanted to when I paid for her college tuition and NYC apartment, but that's the breaks when you’re my number one.

I hang up with the company after confirming there will be a jet waiting for her at JFK Airport on Monday morning, and swipe over to my text messages.

Colby: Hey Len. Plane is booked for 8 AM on Monday. JFK. Make sure you're there.

After hitting send, I slip my phone into my pocket and walk over to the fridge to grab a beer. Practicing with Asher is understandable, since he wants to make sure he's in the best possible shape, but I swear I've worked ten times harder recently than I normally do. He's in better condition now than he was before the injury. As am I.

The vibration against my leg is expected, and I chuckle while bringing the phone to my ear, not even bothering to look at who it is.

“Lennon, if you're going to bitch at me about the private plane, save it. It's already paid for.”

Instead of my favorite girl on the line, a less expected voice comes through. “Lennon? Who is that? Is there a girl in your life you haven't told me about?”

I wince at the instant interrogation. “No, Mom. She's just a friend.”

The excitement in her voice plummets. “Oh. That's a shame.”

My mother is a gem, but her obsession with my love life is a little much. She doesn't seem to understand that I can be completely happy without having a permanent woman in my life. If I'm honest, relationships scare me more than the thought of losing my career. Something about the commitment and the responsibility just sends me running for the hills. Besides, it would be downright rude to give all of me to just one girl.

“Is everything all right, Ma?”

“Yes,” she answers tartly. “Why does something have to be wrong for me to call my son?”

I chuckle. “Down, woman. I'm just checking.”

The two of us talk for a little bit, about my dad's medical issues that scare the shit out of me, and my little brother's run-ins with the law.