One more breath. You got this.
“I’m coming for you!” he yelled in a sing-song voice.
Before I had a chance to take off toward him, I heard another voice.
“Police! Drop the weapon!”
“Fuck you!” he yelled back.
Then he screamed bloody murder.
“You tazed me bro! Why did you taze me?”
“Anyone else in here?”
“Back here,” I yelled. “My hands are up, and I don’t have a weapon. Someone is hurt.”
A second later, two officers entered the bedroom.
“Hands up,” one shouted.
“They’re up!” I said, moving them for emphasis.
“What did you do to her?”
“Nothing. I just wasn’t willing to wait for you guys.”
“Why don’t they ever wait?” He mumbled. “Hey, aren’t you Austin King?”
“Yeah.”
“Wait a minute…That’s Brooke, isn’t it? The woman you love so much you gave up football?”
“Apparently you read my letter,” I said. “Will you please call someone to help her?”
“Everyone read that letter kid.” He bent down and spoke into his walkie, putting his gun away. “We’ve got an unconscious female inside the RV, requesting EMS.”
He looked back at me and I put my arms down. “They’ll be here in a second. I still want to question you though. Let’s move outside, give them some space to work.”
“Fine, but can you tell me something, was anyone hurt outside? I heard a gunshot.” I began walking toward him, sad to leave Brooke, but understanding she needed more help than I could give her.
As we walked outside EMS rushed past me. “No one was hurt, just some idiot with a gun, shooting into the air.”
Well at least that was something.
This night had been a nightmare.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Austin
One Year Later
The final play of the final game of the year, and we were down by three points. I scanned the end zone, looking for someone open. Gonzales waved his hand like a madman, but I waited a moment, not trusting his catching skills. Trey held back the opposing team, giving me a few crucial seconds.
I saw a guy break through and come toward me. Here goes nothing, I thought, throwing the ball toward the end zone. I dodged out of the way of the man who had broken through while keeping my eye on the football arcing gracefully through the air. Come on, Gonzales! Catch the damn ball!
He raised his hands, looking at the ball and running back and forth to line it up. Two other players rushed toward him. Catch the ball! At the last moment, he jumped up about a foot and caught the pass, which had been a bit too high. Oh shit! I thought as he danced around, slamming the ball to the ground.