The Big Time

CHAPTER TWENTY

TROY FELT A MIXTURE of anxiety, frustration, and regret.

With everyone now aware of his gift, people expected the Falcons' defense to dominate. He recalled the cameraman's attention before the kickoff and the cheers people in the stands had given him as he walked through the tunnel at halftime. If they lost this important game, he had to believe the enthusiasm all the fans, TV announcers, and agents had shown him would diminish. All the talk about big contracts and other teams bidding for his services would fizzle.

Worst of all, the thrilling little fantasy that had taken hold in his mind-having his dad represent him, the two of them working side by side to come up with some momentous deal-would melt into a soup of confusion.

"Troy," Seth said, breaking through his thoughts, "come on. Tell them."

Troy felt his eyes moisten, but he bit the inside of his lip to pin down his emotions. He knew how much Seth had gone through to get ready to play. Aside from the extensive treatment of ice and heat and the drainage and cortisone shots, Troy remembered the scandal of steroid accusations. Seth had been forced to undergo testing to prove he didn't use the drugs.

Now, after all that, it appeared Seth just couldn't get the job done anyway.

Miserable, Troy looked at the star linebacker and said, "Seth, I can't. They're paying me. My mom says a couple more weeks and I'll have college taken care of."

Troy didn't know which felt worse: the sound of his own simpering excuses or the wounded look on Seth's face before he dropped his head and shuffled over to the bench. Two trainers came forward, got under each of his arms, one on each side, and led him, hobbling now, toward the locker room.

"Thatta boy," Mora said, patting him on the back. "It's football. A team sport. You can't worry about one guy, no matter how much you like him. Come on, Troy, don't look like that. You've got an agreement with the team. When Seth cools down, he'll tell you himself you're doing the right thing. Trust me."