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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] giving up three touchdowns in one quarter, made a strong stand against the opening drive of the second half. They managed to contain them to thirty total yards before forcing a punt on their own thirty-five, which put the Wildcats in good field position near the fifty yard line. Patton pushed the first half out of his mind. It didn t matter what happened before that point or what the score was. He needed to get them to the end zone three times, and the defense could focus on their job of stopping more Orlando touchdowns. The last thing they could afford to do was abandon the run, so Patton started with handing off the ball, alternating between Nelson and Morgan, grateful they had two fast running backs and a solid line protecting the rush. DeShawn got himself involved in each of the plays, though, consistently putting himself wherever the ball was. By the time they made it down inside the ten, Patton felt himself torn between pride and irritation, thrilled by DeShawn s performance and wishing somebody would just pull their heads out of their asses and start blocking already. Patton was sure that any minute now, DeShawn would declare himself a safety and start rushing him. They scored on a seven-yard pass to the back of the end zone, J.J. stepping up to make the play. Patton wanted to try for the two- point conversion, but it was too early in the half to take that sort of risk. The point after was good, bringing the Wildcats to within eight. All of Patton s hard work was ruined when the Breakers kick returner ran for nearly eighty yards, only stepping out at the five 178 SAGITTARIUS: MR. NOVEMBER when the kicker finally caught up with him and dived for his feet. The kicker deserved congratulations and a few pats on the back, but the save was temporary. The Breakers practically walked it in, widening the margin by another seven points. Fifteen points wasn t exactly an insurmountable lead, but Patton still had to bite back the urge to shout and swear. He was under enough stress without his own team making his job that much more difficult. The next drive ended with a field goal. Ceding the field to the kicking unit left a bad taste in his mouth, but any momentum they might have had from their touchdown was stifled now. The Breakers were controlling both sides of the ball. Twelve points separated them and Patton absolutely would not settle for another field goal. In fact, he didn t want to see Hendricks take the field again, not even for the point after. Two touchdowns with two two- point conversions would win the game nicely. Patton didn t have the chance to put his big plan into motion in the third quarter. The Breakers ate up the rest of the clock by keeping the ball on the ground, eking out yards and just barely managing to get set after set of new downs. You know what they re doing? Bryce asked while Patton watched yet another run for five yards. Besides completely controlling the clock and the rhythm of the game. They re giving their defense a chance to rest. Fine with me. Just means we ve had a chance to rest, too. What have you got in mind? You mean if we ever get on the field again? Rushing plays. Come on, Patton. That s not your kind of ball. No, but as long as we keep the football on the ground, DeShawn won t intercept it. 179 SAGITTARIUS: MR. NOVEMBER You re really that scared of him? Yeah, I am. He s been beating you to the post all day. I couldn t even throw it to you if I wanted to half the time. I m not talking about me. You ve got good chemistry with J.J. Bryce, I appreciate the pointers, but I think I ll consult the playbook first. Fine man, whatever. I just think you re giving DeShawn a little too much credit. He s already picked me off once today, Patton snapped. When the ball was meant for you. So what else have you got to add? You know, I once got into a long conversation with DeShawn about you. We were coming home from Houston, and he said that it d be easy for some corner or safety to get stuck in your head. He said you tend to dwell on things. Patton pursed his lips at the evidence that DeShawn had always known him a little too well. He said that s always been your weakness. Now, don t you think they re counting on that? DeShawn knows you re not even going to bother throwing his direction, so he doesn t he have to cover me anymore. He s all over the field and you still won t throw over there. Get yourself open and I ll pass you the ball. It s as simple as that. I ll do that. On third and long, the Breakers were nearly in field goal range. If they could get six or seven yards, that wouldn t give them the first, but it would be enough to bring their kicker out and widen their lead. Patton held his breath, arms folded across his chest, 180 SAGITTARIUS: MR. NOVEMBER fingers tapping out an impatient rhythm while he watched the snap. The defense adjusted and while the quarterback clearly read blitz, he didn t have time to call a new play. They rushed him as soon as he snapped the ball, pushing him back a good twelve yards before sacking him. The drive ended with a punt. Patton came out swinging, firing three quick passes down the field, connecting with J.J. twice and Bryce once. DeShawn shot him a quick glare while they were lining up after the third ten-yard gain. Patton couldn t pretend he didn t see it, but he didn t quite know what to make of it, either. That didn t stop Patton from calling the exact same play as before, and he threaded the ball right to the spot where Bryce s hands should have been. Yellow flags went flying before the two men crashed to the ground. The call for pass interference was swift, the chains immediately moved to the spot of the foul the ten yard line. Patton s blood rushed to his head, his face flushing hot while adrenaline flooded his veins. He heard DeShawn shouting from across the field, arguing his case while players from both teams began to congregate around the scene. Hey! Get in the fucking huddle, Patton yelled, pushing his way through the crowd and shoving his guys back. Right fucking now. They cleared away, momentarily giving him a direct view of DeShawn s face, twisted with anger. His eyes narrowed as he saw Patton, and his heart clenched in response. Right then, he didn t want to do anything except drag DeShawn off the field and kiss that look off his face. This wasn t right. The two of them standing so far apart, on the wrong teams, angry for the wrong reasons. The moment passed quickly, no more than a second or two, and they both turned away at the same time. Patton flexed his hand, 181 SAGITTARIUS: MR. NOVEMBER looking down at his cracked and callused fingers. DeShawn had kissed each one of his fingers before tracing the rough skin with his tongue, letting the pink flesh linger on the pads before sucking each one into his mouth. This was not the time to get caught up in fantasies of DeShawn, but there was still a strange humming in his ears and he felt buzzed. He risked a glance over his shoulder to see DeShawn still watching him, and Patton wanted nothing more than to acknowledge him in some way. But he looked down again, jogging over to the huddle. Patton didn t try to challenge DeShawn again on that drive, calling a running play and then scoring with a bootleg pass to J.J. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |