Free Finding My Way by Heidi McLaughlin Page A

QB1 of Beaumont High about to play for an unprecedented fourth state title.
    I know it’s probably too much to ask, but it’s what I want. I smile at Mason and nod. “You’ll get it man. It’s just a hundred yards, no biggie.”
    Josie beams at me and leans in for a kiss. “You’re the best, you know that, right?” I nod, but don’t feel that way. I want her to tell me I’m the best because she loves me for me, not for what I’m about to do for Mason.

Chapter 14
    H orns are honking. Kids are yelling. I know the minute I appear at my window, I’ll have to go down there and join them. My teammates are outside, pumped for today’s game. This has become tradition, showing up at each other’s houses at the crack of dawn. The whole town is ready for tonight. So am I. This is what I dreamed of when I was in middle school and now this is my chance to play for my fourth title. It doesn’t mean anything less, that this is my fourth, if anything it means more. This will be my last night taking the helm behind center in a Beaumont uniform. My last night taking a snap under the Friday night lights and I’m ready.
    I open my blinds and the yelling gets louder. Some of the guys are in my yard, putting up a sign and the others are standing in the back of Mason’s truck, all wearing their jerseys. The cheerleaders are in front of and behind them in trucks, singing our school fight song. I wave, letting them know that I’ll be down. I grab my jersey from my bed and slip it on before heading down the stairs. I jump down the last three, much like I used to do when I was younger.
    “Where are you going so early?”
    I freeze at the sound of Sterling’s voice coming from behind me.
    “It’s game day,” I answer curtly, without turning around so he can’t see the look of annoyance on my face. I really wish he’d just stay in his office and not talk to me. If he did that, my life would be a little bit less stressful. “We’ve been doing it this way since my freshman year.”
    Sterling huffs. “Tomorrow things change around here. Hal sent me the team’s workout; you’ll be starting that first thing.”
    I close my eyes and count to ten. It’s the only way I’ll stay calm. “I’m not going to Auburn,” I say, weakly.
    “What’d you say, boy? I don’t think I heard you.”
    Trying to keep my breathing normal and not lose my temper, I turn slowly to face my father. He’s standing there with his hands on his hips like an authoritarian. He won’t be paying for my college, yet no doubt he’s forgotten this fact. I’ve secured my future at any school I want because of my ability. Yes, he may have helped me achieve said ability, but I am where I am because of me . He’s not out night after night taking a pounding. He’s not busting his balls on the field to make sure his team is taken care of. That’s all me.
    I clear my throat and look him in the eyes. “I’m not going to Auburn, sir .” Sir was added for emphasis because he demands respect, which I never give him.
    “And you came up with this decision on your own, smart ass?”
    “Yes, I did. They don’t have a program I want to study.”
    “You’re going to the NFL, Liam. That’s the plan. Don’t you dare deviate now because you’re getting a little pussy and she wants you to stay around. Once you get to college the chicks will be spreading their legs every day for you if that’s what you want.”
    I close my eyes and shake my head. When I open them again, he’s glaring at me. “This has nothing to do with Josie. I want to go to a school that is right for me, not you. Why can’t you understand that? Why can’t you support me? Everything I’ve done, I’ve done because you made me. I’m not going to Auburn.”
    Sterling storms toward me, but I hold my ground. “In February, you will pick Auburn if you know what’s good for you.” He stalks away before I have a chance to say anything in rebuttal. I bang my fist against my head in frustration.