We had our first afternoon practice in full pads in the blistering heat and excessive humidity of a Louisiana summer day. Most everyone was struggling with the conditions, except for a few of us. After team drills were over, we went into line drills, where we would go against our offensive line. I was lined up against a three hundred fifteen pound junior, this would be his second year as a starter. Even though they were pretending not to show it, I knew all the defensive coaches were focused on me. We lined up for the first time, I turned my head to the left and found the ball in the center's hand. I leaned my weight forward, my heels coming off the ground in the new sprinter's stance I had adopted. As the center lifted the ball and pushed it between his legs, I exploded out of my stance, wedging my left arm under my opponent's shoulder pads, pushing him to the left and quickly getting around him to the ball. As the whistle blew, I already had my hands on the quarterback's red jersey. As I moved back to my position, I could see by the look in my opponent's eyes, I had surprised him. By the end of the practice I had went up against every left tackle we had on the field, no one could really match up well with me. I was simply too quick off the ball for the three hundred pounders to stay with me.
I had stepped out of the shower and was walking back to my locker to dress when Coach Ray grabbed me by the arm.
"Brian, I don't know what to say son. I'm not sure you're that good, or we are that bad, but we simply had no answer for you today. I have to admit, I am pleasantly surprised. Keep up the good work.", he said.
With less than a week to go until our home opener, I was firmly entrenched as the starter. Once again our first three games were against non-conference weaker opponents who played us for a share of the gate, in addition to giving us a final tuneup before the real season started. I played close to three quarters in all three games accumulating seven sacks in my first three games. I was getting some minor press in the local newspaper, no one quite knew or could get a handle on this new kid.
We would open the conference on the road in my home state against A&M, my father's old team. Since the drive up to the campus was only about three hours from home, I called Courtney's dad and asked him if he wanted my four tickets for the game. He sounded like a little kid at Christmas, he was immediately yelling out his acceptance on the phone. In fact later that week Courtney told me she actually had to beg him to get a ticket, he wanted to take three of his friends.
The game started out slow, both teams have a tough time against the other's defense. We managed just a field goal in the first quarter, we held them scoreless. Early in the second quarter, their quarterback took one step back and threw a quick slant pass to his receiver coming across the middle. I was able to get a hand up quickly and slap the ball back into the backfield. It bounced off of the running back's helmet and straight back into my hands. I ran close to twenty yards before being tackled at their eight yard line. Two plays later we scored our first touchdown and took a 10-0 lead. We never let up, beating them 35-7 in a convincing fashion. I was able to talk quickly with Courtney and her Dad in the stands before having to make my way to the locker room after the game.
By mid- season we were unbeaten, 7-0 and ranked number five in the country. Our defense was definitely what we hung our hat on, we were ranked seventh overall in the country and first in our conference. I was ranked second in our conference in sacks with 14 thus far on the season. I was actually ranked seventeenth overall in the country and was starting to get a small bit of national recognition. This year I would get no Christmas vacation at home, we would only get a few days off from our schedule.
We ran our record up to 10-0, before losing a heartbreaker in Florida, 28-27. It definately took us out of contention for the national title dropping us from our then ranking of three all the way down to seventh. We finished the season with two wins and had a major bowl bid, which we won. It still didn't ease the pain of the loss in Florida, we were knocking on the door of a National Championship and blew it. If there was good news, we lost only one starter on defense and only two on offense. We had a red shirt running back that would start for us next year, he was absolutely phenomenal. We had also signed a junior college quarterback, who at 6'5, 220 lbs., was supposed to be the real deal. We would definitely be better next year, but that didn't help now.
I decided to stay at school for spring break, much to Courtney's dismay. We actually had our first fight in well over a year because of it. I wanted to finish strong academically, and continue working with the track team, trying to increase my speed. It was early May, I had finished with a 3.67 GPA, I was looking forward to a few months off. I met with Coach Ray before I left, he gave me his recommendations which basically were to do exactly what I had done last summer.
I arrived home on a Friday evening late, Ashley picked me up at the bus station. I got home at about eight thirty that night, took a shower and changed clothes quickly. I told Ashley I was heading to Courtney's, things hadn't been perfect lately. I wanted to make it up to her. I also had a team signed ball for her dad, something I knew he would like. I arrived at Courtney's about nine fifteen, her dad answered the door. From the look on his face, I had the feeling all was not well.
"Oh Brian, um… come in son.", he said strangely, like he had to think about it.
"Thank you sir.", I replied.
He closed the door behind me, I followed him into the family room, where Courtney's mom was sitting. Immediately upon seeing me, I saw the same facial reaction that I had just received from her dad. Something was definitely up. I sat down on the end of the sofa, handing the ball which was wrapped in a bag to Courtney's dad.
"This is for your collection. I thought it would look good in your office sir.", I told him.
He reached out, opened the bag and pulled out the ball. I could tell immediately he was pleasantly surprised with the gift.
"Thank you Brian, I will definitely display this proudly. It's very thoughtful of you son.", he answered shaking my hand.
"You're welcome sir.", I responded.
He sat there for a second nervously wringing his hands, like he wanted to say something to me. I decided to just found out what was wrong.
"Is something wrong ? I get a feeling like maybe…. I am not supposed to be here.", I asked.
"Brian, I don't know what is going on, really I don't. This is between you and Courtney I guess. But she told me you two …..well, kinda broke up a few months ago.", he started.
"She told me you met someone at school and went away with her for spring break. To be honest Brian, I am surprised at you. I didn't figure you to do something like that. So lately, as much as I hate to say it, she is dating Darren again.", he ended.
I sat there stunned, this couldn't be right. I mean, we did fight over spring break, but I never thought it was this bad, or that she would twist things around like this.
"Sir, I'm not quite sure what you have been told, but obviously it's not the truth. Courtney and I did have an argument about sprink break. But it was because I decided to stay up at school study and work out. There is no one else at school, I never left the campus. In fact I have never been out on a date since I got up there. I have no idea where that came from.", I answered.
I could tell by the looks of both their faces, they knew they had been taken in by Courtney once again. Her mom hung her head, not saying a word. I decided to call it a night, there was no point of this.
"I'm sorry sir, I really am. I mean if I would have known this, I would never have come over. Courtney and I have been talking on the phone for the last few months, I had no clue anything was wrong. Thank you again for everything sir.", I finished.
I stood and shook his hand, then made my way quickly out of the door. I got into my truck and pulled out of the drive way, I actually felt sick to my stomach. This was twice now, I vowed then and there, it would not happen again. On the way home I decided to stop and get something to eat, maybe it would help me feel better. When I got to the diner, I saw it was packed. I jumped out, deciding to just get takeout and go back home. I walked in and up to the counter by the register, Ms. Tina, one of the owner's came over right away.
"Hey how's my baby tonight. Good to see you home.", she said with a big smile.
"Thank you Ms. Tina, good to see you. Can I get a burger and fries to go please.", I asked.
"You sure can darling, be right up.", she answered, clipping my order to the large stainless steel wheel in the window of the kitchen.
I sat down on an empty stool near the register and waited. I guess I had been there about five minutes when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around to see Jasmin standing there smiling. She had grown so much, she looked absolutely gorgeous.
"Hey Mister, long time no see.", she smiled, holding out her arms.
I stood up, bent over and gave her a big hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. I stepped back and looked down at her.
"I'm sorry about you and Courtney, when did it happen ?", she asked.
"Apparently about thirty minutes ago.", I answered.
"What are you talking about ? Thirty minutes ? I don't get it.", she replied.
"I just left her house, her parents were there. Everyone apparently is under the impression we broke up in March, when in fact I had no clue we were broke up. She told her parents that I went away with someone on spring break, I never left campus, I was studying and practicing. I just found out about Darren tonight.", I told her.
"Oh that bitch. I knew something was wrong. I just couldn't picture you doing that to her. Man oh man, did she put on an act around here.", Jasmin hissed.
"It's ok Jazzy, forget it. I'm done with her, this will be the last time.", I said quietly.
"Brian, I am so sorry. Call me if you need to talk ok ?", she offered.
"Thanks Jazzy, will do.", I answered.