Mason Maloney

The tension in the house on Thanksgiving morning was palpable. Nathan was obviously already in game-mode, blocking everyone out as he maneuvered through the kitchen to get himself some breakfast. His red football bag was laying on the floor next to the kitchen table, a clear sign that he would be leaving at any moment.

My father glanced at Nathan, taking a sip of coffee. He didn't say anything to him, he knew better. We all did. Nathan was going to be in a mood until after the game today, unless he lost. Then he would be in a mood for God knows how long.

My mother sent Nathan a concerned look. She hated when he was like this, taking himself too seriously. She thought he stressed himself out too much, and I couldn't help but agree with her.

Nathan shoved a piece of toast along with the rest of his eggs down his throat as he leaned against the counter, holding his plate only inches from his face. I sipped on my coffee, watching him closely. Once he finished his breakfast, he looked at each of us with a hard expression before walking over to where his bag was on the floor and slinging it over his shoulder.

"I'm heading to the field," Nathan said, standing in the kitchen doorway.

Mom nodded. "Okay. Good luck sweetie. You'll do great." Her voice was soothing, but her words did little to help Nathan as he gave her a tight, close-lipped smile.

"Good luck, Nathan, not that you need it," Dad said with a smirk, taking another sip of his coffee.

Nathan let out a breathy laugh. "Thanks."

I stood up and followed Nathan as he walked out of the kitchen and through the living room to get to the front door.

"Can I help you?" he asked in annoyance.

"Just wanted to tell you to not psyche yourself out," I admitted, leaning against the door after he opened it.

Nathan rolled his eyes. "I'm fine."

"Whatever," I said. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Nathan replied, standing out on the porch. "Do Mom and Dad know you're going to your man's house for Thanksgiving?"

I had told Nathan the night before that I would need him to cover for me while I went to my man's house in the evening. While I would still be having Thanksgiving dinner with my family, I knew my parents would skeptical about me going somewhere else for the rest of the night. So, I told Nathan what I would be doing, without the specifics, and he agreed to go along with what ever story I came up with.

"They think I'm going to Pete's," I told him quietly, turning around to make sure our parents weren't listening in.

"Okay," Nathan responded with a sigh. "I gotta go."

I told Nathan "good luck" one last time before he descended the porch steps and made his way out to our car. I closed the door and headed back to the kitchen where my mother was beginning to prepare food for our early dinner.

We were usually the ones to host dinner, but the people who came every year varied. This year it was just going to be us, along with my mother's brother, my aunt, and my three cousins.

"Mase, are you still going to bake something?" Mom asked when I entered the kitchen.

"I was just going to do a quick pie," I told her, making my way to her side at the stove.

"Mmm," Dad hummed. "What kind of pie?"

"Apple-cranberry," I answered, turning my head to look at my father. He nodded in approval, downing the rest of his coffee.

"Are you coming to the game with us?" Dad asked, standing up to put his mug in the dishwasher.

I shook my head. "Ross is picking me up."

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us? Brandon, Celine, and the kids are coming," Mom asked, referencing my uncle, aunt, and cousins.

"I already said I would go with Ross," I said, pulling the ingredients for the pie out of the cabinet.

My mother nodded and hummed in approval as she continued preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. My father left the kitchen to clean up the house a bit before our company arrived while I finished up the pie.

Soon enough, the pie was done and in the fridge and my mother had the turkey in the oven. There was a knock on the door a few moments later and my mother sent me to let our company inside. A rush of cold air entered the house as I opened the door to see my Uncle Brandon, Aunt Celine and my three cousins standing on the porch.

"Hey, come in," I said with a smile, shivering slightly at the breeze.

Each of them gave me a hug as they entered the house. Brandon and Celine went toward the kitchen while my cousins, Hilary, Millie, and Scott stayed with me. Hilary was mine and Nathan's age while Millie was two years younger and Scott was thirteen.

"Did Nathan already leave?" Hilary asked as I lead the three of them to the living room.

I nodded. "Yeah, about an hour ago."

The four of us sat on the couch in front of the TV that was playing the Macy's Day Parade. Millie and Scott each played on their phones while Hilary and I made small talk.

"You doing any Black Friday shopping?" Hilary asked curiously.

I shook my head. "No way. You?"

"Yeah, I'm going with my friends and my boyfriend," she answered.

"Boyfriend?" I asked with a smirk. "Since when do you have a boyfriend?"

Hilary chuckled, her cheeks turning pink in slight embarrassment.

"Since about three months ago," she admitted shyly.

"Three months? You've been with him for three whole months and I haven't heard from you?" I asked, feigning offence.

Hilary rolled her eyes, shoving my shoulder lightly. "It's not like I've seen you since then."

I nodded in agreement and let out a quiet laugh. We hadn't seen each other since the summer, around the Fourth of July. Not to mention, it wasn't like I told her about my boyfriend either, though I desperately wanted to. It felt odd that the only people that knew I had a boyfriend were Sam's family and Nathan. I wanted to be able to tell everyone.

"So, what's he like?" I asked, leaning my arm on the back of the couch.

"His name's Cory," she said timidly. "He's super sweet and romantic. He's on the football team–"

"You gotta watch out for those football players," I teased with my eyebrows raised. I would know.

"He's not like the rest, trust me," Hilary said seriously.

"Doesn't he have a game today?" I asked, wondering why she would be going to Nathan's game instead of her boyfriend's.

She just shook her head. "Our town doesn't do Thanksgiving games anymore."

I found that strange, but didn't say anything. Nathan's football games had become part of our Thanksgiving tradition. I couldn't imagine a Thanksgiving without one.

A few moments later, my phone buzzed. I picked it up to read the message from Ross, telling me that he was here. I stood up, shoving my phone back in my pocket.

"I'm going to get going," I told Hilary. "My friends are taking me to the game."

She nodded. "Mind if I sit with you guys?"

"Sure. I'll save you a seat," I said before walking to the kitchen to let my parents know I was leaving.

"Okay, be careful," Mom said, walking over to me to give me a kiss on the cheek. She had been much more affectionate with me ever since I got beat up.

"Don't forget dinner is at three," Dad reminded me with a pointed look.

I nodded and bid my family a goodbye before heading out the front door to Ross's car. Pete and Bella were already in the car by the time I slipped in, Pete being in the front seat.

"Who's at your house?" Pete asked, turning around in his seat to face me as Ross pulled away from the curb.

"Uncle Brandon and Aunt Celine," I told him. My friends were fairly familiar with my family, so they knew who I was talking about.

"And your smokin' cousin Hilary?" Pete asked teasingly, a coy smile on his face with his eyebrows raised.

I punched him in the shoulder to which he let out a yelp and started rubbing the area I hit.

"It's not my fault your family is hot," Pete muttered, turning around to face forward.

Bella scoffed. "Please have some decency."

Pete ignored her, turning up the radio so that the vibrations shook the car. I saw Bella roll her eyes and look out the window. I hadn't spoken to her much since she freaked out about me hanging out with Sam, but since she was here I could assume she was over it.

The parking lot at Sam's school was already packed by the time we got there. Since the Thanksgiving game last year was at our school, it was the Knights's turn to host. Ross squeezed into a parking spot in the middle of the lot and the four of us made our way to the visitor's bleachers, passing by our excited classmates who had obviously pregamed before this.

Members of the Warriors's student body cheered and yelled on our side of the field, dressed in school apparel and some even had their faces painted with the deep red of our school colors. Plenty of girls had Nathan's jersey number, 12, painted on their faces as they chatted on the bleachers.

"We have to save a seat for Hilary," I said to my friends as we found seats toward the top of the bleachers.

Pete smirked, looking as if he was about to say something before I stopped him.

"Don't even try anything on her, she has a boyfriend," I warned him.

Pete pouted and crossed his arms while Bella thumped him on the back of the head. I shook my head and turned to Ross who was seated on my right.

"How was Nathan this morning?" Ross asked, turning toward me.

"Same as he always is before playing the Knights," I said with a sigh, standing up to wave at Hilary as her and my family made their way toward the bleachers.

She quickly saw me and headed toward us. My parents never sat on the bleachers, knowing how crowded they get with all of the students that come to the games. They always opted for bringing their own chairs and sitting in the grass with other parents.

"Hey," Hilary said, taking the seat on my left. "Thanks for saving me a seat."

"No problem," I told her with a smile.

"Hey, Hilary," Ross greeted in a casual tone. Hilary greeted him along with Pete and Bella.

Soon enough, it was time for the players to be announced. Every big game, the players would come running through their banner as the announcer said their names over the speaker. It usually only happened at the Homecoming game and during the playoffs, but they started doing it during the Thanksgiving game as well a few years ago.

The Warriors came running out first since they were the visiting team. As they were being announced there was a battle between both sides of the stands to see who could be louder. While our side cheered on our players, the Knights's side booed and the opposite happened when the Knights came out.

I tried to bite back a smile as I saw Sam run out onto the field. I couldn't see his face due to his helmet, but I knew he looked handsome. I watched silently as the captains met at the middle of the field for the coin toss. Since Nathan was the visiting captain, he got to call the toss. He would pick tails, he always picked tails.

The Warriors lost the coin toss, which was sure to annoy Nathan, and Sam chose to have the Warriors receive the ball first. Nathan lazily pointed to the end zone on his right before turning around and walking back to the sidelines.

"He has not been having luck with the coin toss lately," Ross commented with a sigh.

I didn't say anything, even though it was true. The Warriors received the ball and started their way down the field. Nathan's throws were perfect for every pass on his opening drive, due to his relentless practicing. However, the Knights's defense wouldn't allow for a touchdown so the Warriors had to settle for a field goal and the score was 3-0.

Sam and his offense made their way onto the field. Every part of me wanted to stand and cheer for him, but I knew I wouldn't make it out of here alive if I did that. Sam's passes were perfect, much like Nathan's, and I knew my brother was going to be watching his every move. I noticed Sam rotating his shoulder after a long pass. It was clearly bothering him, but I knew he wouldn't let it take him out of the game. He was too stubborn for that.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, the Knights were able to get a touchdown and the extra point on their opening drive, making the score 7-3. I knew Nathan would be out for blood his next drives.

By the time half-time came around, the score was 21-21.

"So, this Knight kid is really good," Hilary commented to which Bella shushed her.

"Don't say that over here!" Bella said in a forceful whisper.

I shook my head at her and rolled my eyes. "Yeah, he's good. Him and Nathan have been neck-in-neck for years."

"I didn't expect anyone to be able to give Nathan a run for his money," Hilary said. "Football runs in his blood."

"Yeah, don't bring it up with him, no matter how the game ends," I warned her with a serious look.

"Sore subject?" she guessed.

I nodded. "Very."

"Uh oh, look," Hilary said, pointing down near the concession stand.

A fight had broken out between students from out school and students from the other. It only took a few moments for security to go break it up and escort the students away from the field.

I let out a sigh. "I'm sure there'll be more where that came from."

The Knights received the ball when half time was over. And, of course, Sam's throws were perfect, resulting in a touchdown on his opening drive. It had just occurred to me that I had never really paid attention to Sam when he played. I was always so focused on Nathan. Now that I was actually watching Sam in his element, I realized how natural this was for him.

Nathan was a very disciplined quarterback with a lot of talent and technique that went into his abilities. Both Sam and Nathan were natural talents when it came to football, but Sam just seemed so much more calm and at-ease, and I couldn't help but wonder if that was what made Nathan hate him so much. Maybe it was envy that it seemed like Sam didn't have to work as hard, even though that definitely wasn't the case. I was sure Sam worked just as hard as Nathan.

Nathan's next drive went well for him as well, resulting in a touchdown. What didn't go so well was the extra-point. Our kicker was never one to miss the extra-point. He pretty much had a perfect track-record when it came to that, so it was a shocker when he kicked the ball slightly to the left of the goal post. The fans on our side let out disheartened groans, followed by silence, while the Knights's fans were cheering excitedly.

I looked down to Nathan to see that he stood on the sidelines with his hands on his hips as his coach said something to him. There was no doubt in my mind that he was absolutely fuming at that moment.

The missed extra-point shouldn't have been that big of a deal. The team should have been able to come back from that.

But they didn't.

And the Warriors lost the Thanksgiving game by two points, failing to make a two point conversion.

I was torn between being excited for Sam and feeling sorry for Nathan. Neither of them looked all that happy when I glanced at each of them on the field. I wanted nothing more than to be able to go talk to Sam. Maybe I could and no one would think anything of it. Maybe–

"Mase," Ross pulled me out of my thoughts with a suspicious look on his face. "Why are you staring at Knight like that?" he whispered so only I would hear."

"I... uh... I'm not," I replied, shaking my head.

Ross didn't look all that convinced.

Soon enough we all left the field with the feeling of the loss burdening us.

**

Thanks for reading!

What did you think of the chapter? Did you expect the Knights to win? How do you think Nathan is going to react? Do you think Ross suspects anything?

Let me know!