Emergency Quarterback by Rich Wallace Read Free Book Online Page B

takes two quarterbacks. You need to work together.”
    Wade picked up the football and tossed it from hand to hand. “Just put the ball in my hands,” he said. “I know what to do with it.”
    Coach stuck his hands in his pockets and frowned. “You know what to do with it? Show me. Run the play.”
    Jason took the ball and mimed the action of lining up behind an invisible center. The crescent moon was up early, shining just above the horizon. Jason pulled back the ball and dropped into passing position, and he and Wade ran the play just as Coach had instructed them to.
    “Not bad,” Coach said. “Let’s do it a few more times.”
    They stayed at it until it was too dark to continue, successfully making the play more often than not. Of course, there were no defenders on the field.
    “It’s a great play when it works,” Coach said. “Not too complicated, but effective. The key here is you two guys”—he grabbed both of their face masks and held tight—“being in sync. That will make all the difference.”
    They walked off the field together, and Coach got into his pickup truck and drove off. Anthony and Miguel were gone. Jason and Wade stood alone in the parking lot.
    Jason cleared his throat. “Moon’s out,” he said, stating the obvious.
    Wade nodded but looked away. “Supposed to be clear on Saturday. Not too cold.”
    “I heard.”
    Wade let out his breath in a long, audible exhalation. He wiped his nose with his sleeve and took a step toward the street. “You staying here all night?” he asked.
    “No.”
    “Let’s go then.”
    They walked up toward the Boulevard, not talking. Jason felt uneasy; he still didn’t like Wade, but he no longer felt as if a fight could break out at any time. Either way, Jason had the upper hand. He was the starter now; Wade had only this one surprise play that might not even get called. But Jason was glad Wade had that. At least he might be able to contribute.
    The streets were busy. It was that in-between time, with New York City commuters arriving home on buses, lots of cars on the Boulevard, kids hurrying home for dinner, and shoppers picking up bread and milk at the grocery store or takeout pizza or Chinese food. All the streetlights were on and everybody seemed to be on the move.
    “You ever win a championship before?” Wade asked.
    “A few,” Jason replied. They were standing alongside the corner grocery store at Ninth and the Boulevard. “Basketball last year. Some Y leagues.”
    Wade took his helmet and placed it over a parking meter, so it looked like a very skinny player. That made him smile. He snapped the chin guard to secure it. “I never won anything yet,” Wade said. “Four years of Little League, three years of junior football, and two basketball seasons. Never even a second place.”
    Jason shrugged. “Nobody can do it alone.”
    “I know. But if Coach gives me another chance on Saturday like he says he might, I’ll show’em.”
    “It’s not about showing anybody anything,” Jason said. It annoyed him that Wade didn’t get it, that winning in team sports like football or basketball demanded team spirit and cooperation. But he felt for him, too. Years of playing with Vinnie and Miguel and the others had taught Jason a lot about teamwork. He couldn’t really blame Wade for not having learned those things. But if the opportunity arose on Saturday to use the new play, he didn’t want Wade’s need for individual attention to mess up the whole thing.
    “It’s not about showing off or showing up or showing anything,” Jason said again. “When we put the team first, we all win.”
    Wade nodded, but he didn’t seem convinced. “Easy for you to say.” He went into a boxing stance and threw a few punches at his helmet, which was still hanging on the parking meter. “All I know is I shoulda been in there all season. Coach never had enough confidence in me just because we lost a lot last year. That’s why he went with Vinnie.”
    Jason