“Not when you keep plowing into me harder than need be!” Josh growled.
“Guys? The sack?” I reminded them.
Josh was mumbling something, and the word asshole was said loud enough to be heard at least two times.
“He’s mad,” Laney noted.
“Nah, he’s okay,” I said, attempting to hold in a cackle.
Jeff handed Josh the football.
“No. It’s your turn. You’re the quarterback.”
“No, you are.”
Josh crossed his arms. “No. You. Are. Now don’t make a scene in front of our student, Jeff.”
Jeff cursed under his breath before he started to drop back, acting like he was looking for a receiver downfield. Josh ran up to him, and the next thing I knew, Jeff spun and started to run away from Josh.
“Jeff!” Josh shouted as he ran down the field after Jeff.
“What’s happening?” Laney asked. “Why is Jeff running
away? Is he afraid to get hit by Josh?”
I let out a sigh. “Yes, it appears he is.”
“Wow. Okay, well . . .”
Laney turned to her father. “Dad, I know you set this all up and I’m not afraid to be tackled by a guy, but I honestly don’t think I want to play anymore.”
She focused back out to the field. Jeff was now heading back this way. He turned and threw the ball at Josh’s feet, trying to trip him up.
“Even though I’m pretty sure that would never happen,” the young girl said with a giggle.
Laney’s father came up and placed his hands on her shoulders. “That’s from getting hit one too many times, sweetheart.”
I chuckled. Score one for Laney’s dad and for Jeff and Josh.
“Gunner, thank you so much for your time. Here ya go.”
He handed me a check, and I put up my hands. “No, you don’t have to pay me to watch those two act like fools.”
“It was . . . entertaining,” he said.
Laney and her father walked off, and I headed out to the middle of the field. Josh had somehow managed to catch up to Jeff and took a leap and dragged Jeff to the ground. They were soon rolling all over the place as one tried to pin the other one on the ground.
“That’s what you get for that cheap tackle you took earlier!” Josh said, pushing Jeff’s helmet into the ground.
“Fuck. You. Hayes!” Jeff grunted before managing to buck Josh off him. They both stood and put their arms out like they were about to throw punches.
“Nice. Real nice, y’all. I’m sure Laney’s dad loves this show of sportsmanship.”
They both dropped their arms to their sides and faced the now empty sideline.
“Where are they?” Jeff asked, panting from running away from Josh.
“They left. I guess Laney saw all she needed to see. Football in her eyes has now become something of the past because of you two idiots.”