Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers)

chocolate and took the seat next to hers.
    “I was afraid you weren’t going to make it back in time. I don’t know how much more I can take,” Annie laughed.
    She had never gone to a high school sporting event before coming to Keeneston and was drawn in by how hard the boys tried. It was killing her that they were fighting for every yard. They were currently tied and she couldn’t imagine what their parents were feeling.
    “I wouldn’t abandon you. You’re the only person who will sit with me during a game.” Paige turned around and looked up the stadium. “See the large group sitting about fifteen rows up. Couple in their fifties with three strapping men next to them?”
    Annie turned around and looked up into the stands. They were easy enough to spot. All the women and some of the girls in the stands were trying to get closer to them. It was easy to see why. They all looked like slightly varying versions of Cade. “Yes, I see them. Your family?”
    “That’s right. My own family won’t sit next to me. Oh! Here we go! Come on, Austin! Watch the coverage!” Paige screamed.
    Annie tried not to crush the little white Styrofoam cup Hallshe held as a massive linebacker broke through the line, causing Austin to scramble out of the pocket and make a run for the first down.
    “Look at that.” Paige hit her arm, causing her to spill some of the hot chocolate. “That cocky safety is all over Ryan. He’s holding him up so he can’t run his route. Come on, Ref! Defensive interference!”
    Annie watched the next play, and sure enough, that kid was jawing at Ryan. This was accompanied by gestures that mimicked the trash talking. Even she wanted to go on the field and give him a talking to.
    “Ref! You watch number 35. He’s holdin’ our boys ‘til the cows come home!” Annie turned at that familiar slow, elegant voice coming from Miss Lily. A KHS blanket was lying over her standard flower print dress, her white hair covered with a beautiful, light pink knit hat with a big white flower sitting jauntily off to the side.
    Looking around, she saw that the entire town was here. She had walked down to the Blossom Café the other night to get dinner, and the town was covered in the school colors. Signs were posted on the doors of businesses announcing they would be closed for Senior Night.
    Her attention was turned back to the field as the cocky safety shoved Ryan, sending him flying to the ground. Cade was on the field yelling at the referees, and she was pretty sure one of the Rose sisters called the ref a horse’s ass. The bench was yelling at the offense on the field as they huddled on third down.
    The boys clapped and lined up for the play. The ball was snapped and Ryan ran along the sidelines as number 35 covered him. Ryan stopped, turned, lowered his shoulder and hit number 35 square in the chest. The benches emptied as Ryan’s teammates jumped up to cheer. Annie looked around and saw that the people in the bleachers had done the same.
    Cade watched as his team went nuts. They were waving towels in the air and screaming encouragements to the offense. It was a wasted down . The pass to Ryan had overshot him when he decided to pull his little stunt. But, it seemed the boost in the morale of the team made it worthwhile.
    “Time out!” Cade yelled as he signaled the referee. He waited for the boys to run over to the sidelines before he said a word. “Okay, gentleman. We have two options. One, we punt the ball away. Two, we go for it on fourth down and ram the ball down their throats. What say you?” He made eye contact with his team and knew their choice by the smiles on their faces. “Austin, blue slant thirty. You think you can do that?”
    “Only if it’s to Hall, Coach. “ Cade looked between Austin and Ryan and knew by the determined look in their eyes that they would move Heaven and Earth to make this play.
     
    Paige reached over and grabbed Annie’s hand. “Oh my God, they’re going for it!” There was a collective gasp from the crowd and then all at once they erupted in cheers to encourage the boys.
    The ball was snapped. Paige squeezed her hand tighter, and Annie held her breath as she watched the play take shape. Austin dropped back as Ryan burst from the line and blew by the safety who had been pushing him around all night. Ryan never looked back. He sprinted straight down the sideline for ten yards before slanting towards the middle of the field.
    Austin pulled his arm back and