Fall from Love

boy. We’ve got a game to play!” I yell to Josh. He finally breaks from the kiss and jogs over to the rest of the team.
    At the end of the second quarter we’re killing them, up by seven. It’s our ball; we break from the huddle and I take my position. When I glance to my left it takes me by surprise to see Holly looking directly at me. I give her a small grin and then focus my eyes on the ball.
    The ball flies towards me and I catch it, run backward, and look for an open man. Josh is trying to dodge a guy, but he can’t shake him. My eyes are scanning the open field and I’m about to make a run for it myself when I feel a heavy object run into me, knocking me to the ground.
    When I glance up, I hold my hand up to shield my eyes from the glaring sun to see Travis staring down on me. Anger rips through me and I jump up to my feet, but before I can get in Travis’s face, Josh is in front of me, blocking my path.
    “Why do you have to be such a prick,” Josh says, pushing Travis back a foot.
    “Hey, c’mon guys, let’s just get back to the game,” I say, hoping to be the level-headed one and prevent a fight, although I feel like it’s coming whether I like it or not.
    “What? Can’t fight your own battles anymore?” Travis laughs, encouraging me and shouldering past Josh.
    There’s a crowd around us now and the last thing I want to do is fight him again, but I will if I have to. “Hey, I just came here to play football, man. I don’t want any problems, okay?”
    He laughs again, coming closer, and I instantly smell the alcohol on his breath. “Are you gonna back down from a fight?” He pushes me. “I want a rematch from this summer.”
    “I was drunk that night, man. I wasn’t myself. Let’s just get back to the game, alright?”
    He pushes me again, this time even harder, and my fists automatically form into a ball.
    “Don’t be an asshole, Travis,” a girl’s voice yells over the chatter surrounding us. I look over to my right and see Jenna. Holly’s standing beside her and has a look of horror on her face. Just seeing her is even more of a reason not to lose control, not in front of her.
    “Shut up, Jenna. No one asked you,” Travis yells at her before facing me again.
    “Don’t fucking talk to her like that.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Josh lunge at him, but a couple of guys hold him back.
    “So what’s it gonna be? You gonna be a pussy and walk away or are you gonna give me a rematch,” Travis taunts, taking another step towards me.
    “Travis, please,” Holly speaks up now; her voice is soft, yet firm. The stare that Travis and I have on each other is broken and we both look over at her.
    Travis’s face relaxes when he sees her. “Holly, I don’t mean any disrespect, but you need to stay out of it.”
    “Just leave him alone,” Holly says, her voice now holding a little anger in it.
    “Why should I?” He laughs, glancing back at me.
    “Because he’s my friend,” she adds.
    He shakes his head a few times. “Wait. Are you with this guy?” He looks appalled as he points at me.
    “Yeah, we’re friends. So take your macho ass somewhere else. There are some of us who came to watch a game.” Her sharp words take me by surprise.
    “How the fuck can you be friends with him? After what happened?” He leans towards her, raising his voice. Now, my blood is boiling and my fists are shaking. I know it’s only a matter of seconds before I lose control.
    She looks confused by his tone, but he doesn’t stop pressing her. “Where is the fucking loyalty in that, Holly?” His jaw clenches and she cowers back at his harsh words.
    That’s it. I push him square in the chest and he stumbles back a little. When he recovers, his drunken eyes find mine, and there’s nothing except rage in them.
    “Hit me and make it good ‘cause it’s all you’re gonna get,” I grit through my teeth, throwing all control out the window.
    He takes a large step towards me and I see his fist come flying. It makes contact with my face and my jaw screams out in pain, but I push the pain away and actually find myself wanting more. “Is that all you’ve got?” I ask, looking directly at him. “Again.”
    His nostrils flare and he winds his arm back once more. This time his hand slams into my right eye and there’s nothing or no one that can hold me back now. It takes no effort for me to take him down to the ground and after a few good punches, he’s out cold. Just like the night a