Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Troy cupped his hands at his mouth and hollered. “Run the play! We got this, boys, we got this!”
“What’s the score?” I asked, sidling beside him, clapping as if I already knew the answer.
“14 to 7, thirty seconds on the clock. And if Big V can hold Fallbrook’s offense, we’re gonna fucking win this.”
The ball was at the thirty-yard line, an easy throw for Fallbrook’s QB, Trick Corbin, a recent college graduate who’d come home to help with the family business. He’d recruited a few buddies to play fall flag football and suddenly, Fallbrook, who’d once been the worst team in the Four Forest area league wasn’t so bad.
Sidenote: We had fewer teams at this time of year. The pro hockey and football players had gone back to their day jobs, evening the field a bit. Viggo played for Wood Hollow with a couple of guys from the mill, the middle school gym teacher, the lacrosse coach, a retired physicist, and occasionally, Silas, when his pro-football announcer gig allowed.
And in a twist, Viggo had become a flag football regular. He was by far the best defensive threat on the team. He took up space and could intimidate opponents with a cold stare. It was a big act, but Viggo had gained a bit of a reputation as a badass. The guy who’d avoided human interaction had been welcomed with open arms and secretly, he kinda loved it. Not that he’d ever admit it, of course.
I zeroed in on the big Swede, huddled with his teammates in the middle of the field. Those broad shoulders, muscular biceps, and beefy thighs were my kryptonite.
Christ, snap out of it, Dex.
I spotted Reg with Rhys and Gretch; and Cooper with his kids, Ivy and Chase, cheering for the team. “Looks like half the town showed up.”
“On a Thursday night, no less. Thankfully, it started right after varsity practice. I’m glad I could be here for this.” Troy paced the sideline with nervous energy. “How was Burlington?”
“Great. It was—”
The shriek of a whistle put conversation on hold. Troy yelled encouragement to the team as they got into position, waiting for the signal from the ref for play to begin. The crowd went wild. Trick pulled his arm back, his gaze scanning for a teammate with an opening. He angled his body as if prepared to unleash the ball, but it was a decoy. An obvious one.
And Viggo knew it.
He darted after the quarterback and stayed with him, forcing Trick into a quick decision. The ball flew in a long arc and hung in the air over the endzone. Players jockeyed for position while doing their best not to shove each other and get called for tackling. Silas was there, but Fallbrook’s defense crowded him out. Then suddenly, Viggo dove in front of them like a swimmer careening into the water.
“What happened? Did he catch it?” Troy held his head as if hoping to keep it connected to his body.
I squinted. “I can’t tell, but—oh, wow.”
Viggo popped up, ball raised triumphantly.
Wood Hollow erupted, charging the field like a bunch of college kids after a big win. It was bedlam. The fun kind.
Troy whooped and raced out to join the party. As coach, he deserved to be part of the celebration. I hung back, chuckling at the swarm of bodies surrounding Viggo. He’d make a fuss later about how annoying it was, but he was grinning like a fool. More so when he noticed me.
I waved and gave a thumbs-up.
“Great game.” Cooper squeezed my shoulder.
“I didn’t think you’d make it,” Reg added. “That was a nice win for us. Thanks to Viggo.”
“And Silas,” Cooper said like a proud husband. “I hope the kids find him. It looks like a mosh pit at a rock concert out there. Shouldn’t you be securing the peace, Mr. Police Chief?”
“Probably. Gretchen followed the boys and Ivy, and that doesn’t always end well.”
“She’ll be fine.”
Cooper and Reg gave me highlights from the game, then asked about my trip to Burlington. I opened my mouth to respond just as Viggo parted the crowd with Gretchen on his shoulders, her black cape billowing behind her in the breeze and a radiant grin on her face.
“We won!” she cried, giggling when Viggo kneeled low so she could hop off.
Viggo high-fived her. “Flag football is fun sometimes. Maybe you could try it, too. I bet they’d let you tuck your cape into the belt if we asked the right person.”
Gretchen nibbled her bottom lip and swiveled to face me. “Maybe.”
I nodded. “I think we could work something out.”
The mood was light and celebratory. The sky was clear with a full moon, and the crisp autumn air carried the scent of pine trees and pre-Halloween anticipation.
Silas suggested pizza at Mike and Sam’s—his treat. Everyone cheered. Except Cooper…who reminded the kids that tomorrow was a school day. He was heartily booed.