Chased Dreams (2 page)

“Anything else I need to do?” I asked.

“Just suit up and put this in with your
luggage for later.” He handed me a lanyard that held a card with my
name and picture on it. “Keep it with you all the time. That
barcode at the bottom is both your meal ticket and the key to get
in and out of the dorms. Don’t lose it. You’re all done with check
in. Go find a place on the field to warm up.”

I nodded and carefully slid it inside my
bag. I was already in my football pants, leg pads, and cleats.
Since I was wearing my maroon and gold ASU jersey, that proudly
displayed my number of choice, twenty-three, I pulled it off and
got into the rest of my shoulder gear before slipping it back on. I
grabbed my helmet before depositing the rest of my stuff by the
fence, as instructed.

Ironically, just stepping onto the field
helped calm my nervous energy. I always felt at home with the grass
under my feet. Finding a free spot, I started doing some stretches
to warm my body and loosen up my muscles.

“Hey, Chase Walker, right?” I glanced to my
left and saw a huge, burly, Samoan guy with massive tattoos down
his arms. He gestured to my jersey before he extended a hand in my
direction. “I’m Barney.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise and I tried
to keep my grin in check. “Hey, Barney. Nice to meet you.” I shook
his massive hand.

He smiled, revealing a space between his
front teeth. “You can go ahead an laugh. I bet you don’t meet many
islanders named Barney. We are going to be roomies.”

“Are we?” I asked, wondering how he
knew.

“Yeah. I requested you. I’m a fan.”

This time I did laugh out loud. “And what
made you a fan?” I wasn’t entirely sure if he was messing with me
or not, due to the shit-eating grin he kept plastered to his
face.

“You don’t remember me; but we played
against each other, once. I broke through your O-line and was
getting ready to plow your ass into the ground when you rolled out
of the tackle and left me with nothing but a face full of grass to
eat. Then you added insult to injury and ran it in for a touchdown.
Twice. My coach wasn’t very happy with me. I got myself a real
chewing out because of you—first from coach and then from my momma
when I got home. They both made me run the bleachers.” He laughed
and gave me a little punch to the shoulder pads. I almost fell on
my butt.

I chuckled, amazed by his strength. “I think
I’m glad I avoided you.” This guy could totally crush me into the
ground.

“Not many guys can . . . let alone twice.
That’s why I’m a fan.”

“Barney . . . ,” I let my voice trail off as
I looked at his purple University of Washington jersey and suddenly
the lights went on in my head. “Barney! You’re the one they call
the Purple Dinosaur!” I stuck my hand out again and shook his
vigorously.

“That’s me.” He grinned even wider and let
out a loud laugh. “I eat tiny white boys like you for dinner.”

“I believe it. Your reputation precedes
you.” I hoped he wouldn’t kill me in my sleep to get even. “We’re
leaving the past behind us, right?”

I didn’t think it was possible, but he
smiled wider. “Oh, hell no—I fully intend to exact my revenge on
you while we’re here. I may not get another chance, and I need to
redeem myself in the eyes of my momma.”

“Couldn’t I just buy you . . . ,” I looked
over his giant physique, “an ice cream truck or something, and call
it even?”

He laughed loudly and smacked me between the
shoulder blades, sending me stumbling forward. “You’re funny,
Walker. I like you.”

I nodded my head and tried to smile
convincingly. I was so dead.

***

The sweat dripped off my warm face as I
split the two defenders and let the ball sail to my wide receiver
in the end zone. I’d been amazed by the size and abilities of all
the athletes at camp. There was obviously a reason there were so
many scouts—from every team, here. This was my chance to shine, to
prove beyond a doubt that I was finally good enough.

I let my emotions flare and played hard,
knowing I was on top of my game. There wasn’t a thing that could
stop me and I could almost feel my childhood dream coming true. I’d
be the best quarterback the NFL could recruit.

My passes had been crisp, and even
spectators had commented throughout the day on my leadership
abilities. I was in complete control and in charge. Nostalgic
memories washed through my mind. I’d grown up playing this game,
starting when I was just a little guy in peewee football. I loved
this game—learning every trick in the book, there wasn’t any
obstacle that could stop me.

A loud whistle blew sharply, catching my
attention. “Time for lunch,” someone shouted and an excited groan
of approval rippled through the guys I was playing with.

“Chase Walker.” The wire-rimmed glasses boy
was back, with a scout for the Ravens walking behind him. All of a
sudden, my palms felt sweaty and I had to resist the urge to wipe
them against my pants. “This is Rafe Johnson. He’d like to speak
with you for a moment.”

“Sure,” I replied, reaching to shake his
extended hand. “Nice to meet you,” I added politely.

“My pleasure. You’re looking good out there,
son; a natural. How are you enjoying camp so far?”

“It’s been great. I’ve been having a great
time.”

“Glad to hear it,” Johnson replied. “I
actually wanted to invite you to come participate in a special All
American Quarterback Challenge we are having tonight. Are you
interested?”

Hell yeah,
I thought wishing I could
high five him. “That would be great!” I answered, groaning
internally and wondering how many times I’d used the word “great”
in the past two minutes. The guy was going to think I was
illiterate or something.

“Awesome! We’re looking forward to seeing
what you can do.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you for the invite.”

I watched him walk away and my fist twitched
at my side as I revisited the urge to do a fist pump. This camp was
going so well I could almost taste success and see the ink drying
on the contract I was about to sign. I couldn’t wait to text
Brittney and let her know how things were going. Life was damn near
perfect. All our dreams were within easy reach.

Chapter Two

The play was called and I stepped back, my
eyes darting about as I searched for a receiver. I spotted an open
man right as one of the defensive players broke through the line
and barreled toward me. Rolling to my left, I broke away,
continuing to look for a receiver down field. I took a step back
and prepared to throw, but I felt my heel slide too deep in the
grass. Quickly, I shifted my weight, trying to keep my knee from
hyperextending, but everything happened too fast. I felt a crack
resonate through my body as I collapsed to the ground in a shock of
searing pain.

A whistle blew as I struggled to my feet,
attempting to walk back to my spot; but I couldn’t control my knee
correctly and I went down again. Scouts and players rushed toward
me and I could hear someone calling for a trainer. Everyone
gathered around shouting questions, but my mind was a complete blur
and I couldn’t understand a word they were saying.

“I’ll be fine,” I finally muttered. “Just
give me a few seconds.”

A couple of guys grabbed my arms and helped
to pull me to my feet. I gingerly tested the weight on my leg to
see if it would hold me. It did; and I felt a huge sigh of relief
course through me. I gingerly took a step forward. There was still
pain, but not so much that I couldn’t take it.

“I think I better sit the rest of this one
out,” I said to one of the trainers. “It’s still a little
tender.”

He nodded his head. “Probably just
hyperextended that ligament. Give it a night of rest and you’ll
feel better in the morning.”

“That’s what I’m thinking too,” I replied,
turning toward the bench, moving slowly. I sat down next to another
player who was resting there. “Where’s the dorm from here?”

“Two miles down the road that way.” He
nodded his head in the direction of the road I’d driven in on.

“Thanks, man,” I responded as I began
pulling my pads off. I hobbled to my truck, only to discover it was
locked and realized I’d left my keys in the duffle bag that I’d
thrown against the fence. Glancing to the sideline, I saw that the
bags were missing—already taken to the dorms. I let out a heavy
sigh of defeat as I turned and began slowly walking in the
direction of the dorms. I knew I couldn’t leave my pads in the back
of the truck—they wouldn’t be safe there—so I adjusted them as best
I could to carry them with me.

I was determined to get myself to my room
and hoped the exercise would help to work out some of the pain I
was experiencing. That idea proved to be futile; and by the time I
reached my assigned dorm, I felt like someone had driven a blazing,
white-hot, fire poker through my knee.

Stumbling into my room, I tossed my gear on
the floor and stripped down to my underwear. I carefully inspected
my knee, gingerly poking and prodding around the kneecap, but
couldn’t discern anything other than it looked a bit swollen and
red.

I collapsed back onto the bed, too tired to
even care about a shower. I stared at the ceiling, as if searching
for some sort of answer there. This had to be a nightmare because
there was no way in hell it could be my reality. I was here, living
the moment—the things other guys only fantasize about—my lifelong
dream so close I could feel it.

Leaning over, I dug through the bag that had
been brought to my room until I located my phone. I quickly texted
Brittney.

Hey babe. Rough day. Pretty exhausted. Going
straight 2 bed. Call U in the morning. Love U.

I turned my phone off and dropped it on the
nightstand.

I couldn’t sleep at all, my mind a jumble of
confused emotions. I kept telling myself over and over I would heal
and be ready for tomorrow. I had to be ready for tomorrow!

Barney came in sometime later and I held
still, pretending to be asleep, until I heard him start snoring. I
shifted around a lot after that, unable to get comfortable and
unable to keep the worried thoughts from racing through my head.
When the alarm rang first thing in the morning, I had no need for
it. I was still awake.

I turned it off and slid to the edge of the
bed, carefully moving to stand; but my knee started shaking and I
couldn’t hold my weight. I had to immediately sit back down.

Anger steamed through me fast and furious,
and I punched the mattress with my fist as I swore loudly.

“Not better, bro?” Barney’s voice broke into
the moment.

“I can’t stand.” My voice sounded
scared.

Barney looked me up and down, concern
written on his face. “Man, you need to get into a doctor. A real
doctor; not one of these trainers here, who just want you to keep
playing.”

I didn’t reply. To me, going to the doctor
was the same as admitting defeat. It was saying there was actually
a problem—a need. Closing my eyes, I wondered if it would do any
good to pray—immediately questioning if there was even actually a
God out there to hear my prayer. If there was, He certainly hadn’t
listened to me when I begged him not to take Nikki. Couldn’t He
give me a break, now? He owed me, didn’t He? He’d taken away the
girl I loved. Couldn’t I keep this one thing that made me happy?
Why did He have to take away the game I loved too?

There was no reason for me to stay at the
camp, but I found myself reluctant to tell Brittney about what was
going on. I called her brother and my best friend, Brett, instead,
and he answered on the second ring.

“Hey, dude! What’s up? How’s your camp
going? Brittney’s been talking Tana’s ear off with excitement.
She’s certain you’re gonna be signed.”

I ran a hand through my hair in a frustrated
gesture before replying, “I’m having to leave early, but I don’t
want to talk about it on the phone. Is it okay with you if I come
there? I need some advice.”

Brett’s voice immediately took on a solemn
tone. “Sure, sure. You know you’re always welcome.”

“Brett? Don’t tell Brittney anything,” I
added.

There was silence on the other end.

“I mean it. Don’t tell her I’m coming home.
I need to talk to you first.” I ended the call.

***

Brett set across from me, staring at the
crutches leaning against the couch beside me. I had them, thanks to
Barney. He’d gone to a drugstore and bought them for me before he
went off to drills. I loathed that I needed them, but there was
nothing I could do about it. I couldn’t walk right. He’d also
helped me to get my things packed and went and got my truck from
the field parking lot, so I could begin the long and irritating
drive back to Arizona, quickly becoming accustomed to driving with
my left foot.

Brett sat scowling as he stared at them.
“Chase, you have to let Brittney know what’s going on.” He glanced
back to me, his expression serious.

“I can’t tell her about this!” I dragged a
hand over my face in a frustrated gesture. “What do I say, bro? How
do I tell her that everything we’ve hoped for is gone? I missed the
rest of camp, Brett. Do you understand what that means? I’m done.
There isn’t a second chance.”

“Well, you can’t just show up on crutches
and not expect her to freak out. We both know my sister. She’s
gonna be upset that you didn’t tell her. How many times have you
talked to her since the accident?”

“None,” I answered guiltily. “I sent her a
text about being tired and then I turned my phone off. It hasn’t
been back on since. It’s out with the stuff I packed this morning,
in my truck.”

Brett stood, pulled his phone out and tossed
it to me. “Call her, Chase. She’s gonna be pissed. I’ll give the
two of you a little privacy.”

He left the room and I stared blankly at the
recliner where he’d been. I didn’t want to call her. Sure, I missed
her and wanted her with me. I loved her—desperately. But I couldn’t
bear to see the look in her eyes, or hear the disappointment in her
voice, when she realized I’d ruined everything. She’d been counting
on this just as much as I had.