The Christmas Catch

Prologue

Wide receiver Jahleel Walker wiggled his fingers as he took his place on the line of scrimmage, waiting for the ball snap. The crowd roared for the San Antonio Desperados despite the fact that they were the away team. No way he wanted to lose to the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving Day. Not if he could help it. He’d eat that turkey leg and make sure the holiday season was an epic one for the team.

Quarterback Colton Montgomery had called a pass route in the huddle, so Jahleel mentally ran the play while waiting for it to start. Since he’d started his career in the NFL eight years ago, the team had yet to earn the coveted Vince Lombardi trophy. If the Desperados could pull a win for the Super Bowl, maybe his father would finally approve of his career choice.

Get your head back in the game.

The ball snapped, and Jahleel took off. He juked a defensive player, arms pumping as he got to his spot and in the clear. His heart raced as he spun to catch the ball, watching as it spiraled through the air. Come on, baby, come on. When it neared, he pushed off on his toes, leaping into the air, arms splayed out to grab the ball. His hands gripped the pigskin, and he grinned, bringing it to his chest in one fluid motion as his body descended.

Someone slammed into his leg.

“Ahhhh!”

Excruciating pain exploded in his right knee as he collapsed onto the field, ball still clutched in his hands. He reached for his leg, gritting his teeth against the throbbing that radiated from his knee. The sound of a whistle barely penetrated the haze of agony. The white-hot heat caused his stomach to roll. He hissed, trying to keep his stomach contents inside.

A hand touched his shoulder. Someone removed his helmet. Another took the ball.

“Talk to me, Walker,” Coach Brennan said.

“Right knee,” Jahleel managed to grit out.

Hands stilled him as an athletic trainer examined his leg. A bout of pressure brought tears to his eyes, and a groan tore from his lips.

“What’s wrong with it?” Coach asked.

Jahleel listened for the response, but silence greeted his ears. The trainer had either ignored Coach or simply shrugged in reply. Jahleel tried to lift his head to take a look, but a hand stayed him.

“You’re going to feel more pressure.”

Was that the team doc?

He inhaled, preparing himself, but it was no use. The agony shot up as the doc squeezed Jahleel’s knee, shredding that ridiculous emoji scale for pain. Stars danced behind his eyelids, and he willingly succumbed to the darkness.