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CHASINGSUNSETS by TessSt.John Copyright2023TessSt.John
ALLRIGHTSRESERVED.Withtheexceptionofquotesusedinreviews,thisbookmaynotbe reproducedor usedinwholeor inpartbyanymeansexistingwithoutwrittenpermissionfromTess St.John.
PublishedbyTessSt.John
ElectronicEdition: November 2023
ISBN: 978-0-9862205-7-9
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor’s imaginationor areusedfictitiouslyandarenotmeanttobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblanceto actual events,locales,organizationor persons,livingor dead,isentirelycoincidental.
Tableof Contents TitlePage
CopyrightPage
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Author’sNote
ByTessSt.John
Dedication For Nadia. Liz,Imissyou.Asyouknow,Iwrotethisserieswithyouinmind.Thanksfor thequotes,sweet friend.
Special thankstoCheri,Ana,Deborah,Mimi,Judythe,Dawn,Bettie,Carolyn,andall thosewho’ve helpedmesomuchwithmywriting.Andtomyreaders...you’rethebest!
“The great thing about football is that after a while, you become more than teammates, you become ... brothers.” ~ Unknown
Prologue Playingfootball duringAugustinsoutheastTexasfeltlikeworkingoutwiththesuninasauna humid andswelteringhot.Accustomedtothiskindofweather havinglivedinTexasall hislifehadn’tmade thisfirstdayoffreshmanpracticeanyeasier for ZackaryTruex.
Playerstookofftheir helmets,sweatpouringofftheir redfaces.Everyonewasoutofbreathsince they’djustrunthelengthofthefieldtwiceasfastaspossible.Godhelpthemwhentheystarted wearingpadsinthisfurnace.
CoachLandry,ahugemanbuiltlikearefrigerator,toldthemtohuddlewhenhecalledtheir names.Hesectionedthemoffintogroupsofthree.“AndreBiel,KaseyHunter,andZackaryTruex.”
Confused,Zackeyedtheother guysinhisgroupingwonderingwhythey’dbeenputtogether.He assumedthey’dbebrokenintosectionswithplayerstryingoutfor thesamepositions,butthese playersweren’tgoingoutfor quarterbacklikehewas.
After assigningeveryonetoagroup,CoachLandryblew hiswhistlethreetimes.CoachCalvin Banksranover fromtheadjacentpracticefield.Whywouldthevarsitycoachbeatfreshman practice?
Zackstiffened.
HeloathedthedayeveryonefoundoutCoachBankswashisnew stepdad.HismomandCal had datedlongdistancefor over twoyears.Lastspring,Cal askedher tomarryhimandmovetoKaty. Zackandhismomarguednon-stopthethreemonthsprior tothewedding.Hedidn’twanttomove. HisfriendslivedinOrange,twolonghoursawayfromKaty.Hestill playedonlinevideogameswith themmostnights,butitdidn’tcomparetohangingoutinperson.
“IrequestedCoachLandrybreakyouintogroupssoyoucanwatchoutfor eachother,”Cal began. “Never leavepracticeor agameunlessall threeofyouleavetogether.Whenoneofyouneeds tutoring,aride,or support,workitoutandhelpeachother.Now introduceyourselves.”
Andreheldouthishand.He’dbethefirst-stringrunningbackifthecoachesdidn’tmovehimupto junior varsityor maybeevenvarsity.Itonlytookwatchinghimonepracticetorealizetheguy’s exceptional talent.Withdarkfeaturesandlightbrowneyes,hestoodnotaller thanfive-six,which mightbetheonlyreasonthecoachesdidn’tmovehimtoanupper-level squad.Hishair wasshaved aroundhisheadwithshortdreadsonthetop.“I’mDre.”
“Kasey.”Theblonddude,whocaughteverypassthrowninhisvicinity,said,“IwenttoGingham andremember playingyoulastyear.Youranahundredandtwenty-fiveyardsonus.”
TheyturnedtowardZack.
Heclearedhisthroat,feelinglikehisstepdadsethimuptomakefriendsandhatinghimfor it. “I’mZack.MovedfromOrange,Texas,thisyear.”
“TheGatewaytoTexas,”Kaseysaid.
Zacksmirked.“How thehell doyouknow that?”
“Mymom’sfromBridgeCity.TheShubertsaremycousins.”BridgeCitywasthenexttownover fromOrange,andeveryoneinbothtownsknew theShuberts.
Yep,afriendshipsetupifheever saw one. ~
Thetwelfthdayofpractice,thefirstdayinfull pads,ZackwaitedonthesidelinenexttoKasey watchingtheplaybeingrunonthefield.Drecradledtheball anddodgedthreetacklesbefore
sprintingintotheendzone.Nosurprise.It’dbeinterestingtowatchDreagainsttheir opponents.Ifhe stayedhealthy,he’drushfor atleastathousand-yardseason.
“What’swrongwithyou,Marshall?Youinloveor something?Hitsomebody.”CoachLandry smackedMikeMarshall’shelmetwithhiswhistle.Coacheshaddonethesamethingtoeveryone.It madeapiercing,deafeningsound.Mike,abruiser atsix-twoandover two-hundredandfiftypounds, shookhishead.
“IfCoachdoesn’tstophammeringMike’shelmet,he’sgoingtodrivehimcrazy.”Kaseygraspeda bottlewithaninety-degreespoutandsqueezed,fillinghismouthwithgreenGatorade.
“It’shotter thanSatan’sballs.”
After thenextseriesofdowns,ZackandKaseyjoggedontothefieldwhileputtingontheir helmets.Zacktookthequarterbackpositionandcalledtheplay.Secondslater,heyelled,“Hut,hut,” andshuffledbackward.Hefakedahand-offtoDreandcheckedfor openreceivers.Theoffensive linemancreptbackward,tryingtokeepthedefenseatbay.Kaseycutacrossthefieldonlyfiveyards away.Zackthrew thefootball whereKaseywouldbeinthreemorestrides.
Acrushingblow rammedintohischest.
Hisbodycrashedtotheturf.
Pinnedunder players,tryingtoinhaleor moveprovedimpossible.Hestaredatthecloudless, bluesky.Atleasthe’dgottenthepassoff.HadKaseycaughtit?
TheguysrolledoffofZack.Evenwithouttheir weight,hischeststill felttight.
Hecouldn’tbreathe.
Hiseverycell screamedasheturnedontohisside.
“Enoughfor today,”CoachLandryshouted.
Withherculeaneffort,Zackstruggledtohisfeet.Bentover,handsonhisthighs,hespitonthe ground.
Blood.
Wasthebloodfromhismouthor hisinsides?Hestaredatthered-stainedgrass,concentratingon drawingair intohislungs.
“Youokay,man?”Heonlysaw apair ofcleats,butherecognizedDre’svoice.
Another setofcleatscameintoview.“Perfectpass,Zack,”Kaseysaid. Good, he’d caught it.
Zackgatheredhisstrengthandtriedtostraighten.Hischeststunglikeanangryhiveofbeeswas attackinghimfor stealingtheir honey.Hehunchedbackover andclutchedhischest.
“Kneel down.”Dreusedslightpressureonhisshoulder.
Notneedingtobetoldtwice,Zackdroppedtohishandsandknees.Hespitagain,moreblood.
“I’ll getatrainer,”Kaseymurmured.
Don’t. Theworddidn’tmakeittohismouth.Hisstepdaddidn’tneedtocomeouttocheckonhim andeveryonelearnheandCal wererelated.Hewasn’tfoolishenoughtobelievepeoplewouldn’t eventuallyfindout,yetheenjoyedsimplybeingZackfor now.
“Zack!”Cal shoutedfromsomewhereinthedistance.Hemust’veseenwhathappenedfromthe varsitypracticefield.
Zackclosedhiseyesandcollapsedface-firsttotheground,helmetstill on.
“Football player downatMontgomeryHighSchool.”Cal’svoicebecamelouder.Theair changed aroundhimbeforehisstepfather soundedclose.“Zack,son,canyouhear me?”Hemustbekneeling. “Anambulanceisontheway.Wheredoyouhurt?” Everywhere.
Light-headed,hefearedhemightloseconsciousness,butitwasimpossiblewithCal’schattering. “Whyaren’tyoutalking?Areyouawake?”
After apause,Dresoftlyuttered,“He’sspittingblood,sir.” “Blood?Shit.Zack,talktome.”
Didn’tthemanunderstandhecouldn’tspeak?
ThebloodandCal’sterrifiedvoicemadehisstruggletobreatheworseaspanicswelledinhis throat.
Ahandpickedhisupandhelditliketwoguyspullingeachother infor ahug.“Squeezemyhand,” Drecalmlyinstructed.
Wordswouldnever beenoughtoexpresstoDrehow muchZackneededhimatthatmoment. Weak,injured,andscared,ZackfelteverythingwouldbefinemerelyholdingDre’shand.Hereturned thepressureasbesthecould.
“He’swithus,Coach,”Dresaid.
“Oh,thankGod.Youdamnwell better staywithus.Youneedtoremainawakeuntil the paramedicsarrive.Wherearethey?They’retakingforever.”Cal wentoninananxiousvoice. “They’ll probablygiveyougreatdrugsfor thepain...”
Zackfixatedonthefaintsoundofsirensastheygotlouder,tryingtoblockouthisstepfather. Whenever Dresqueezedhishand,Zackdidthesame.
Paramedicsarrivedandrequestedeveryonestepaway.DreclutchedZack’shandonelasttime andreleasedit.TheemergencyworkersaskedZackifhewasawake,andhemovedhisfingers.After examininghimandgettinghimtomovehisarmsandlegs,theycarefullyflippedhimontohisbackand removedhishelmet.Whenthepadswerecutawayfromhischest,theconstrictioneasedabit.He tookadeepbreathandopenedhiseyes.
Cal,hisfriends,other players,andcoachesstoodbehindtheparamedics.
Hisstepfather said,“Becareful,”everyminuteor so.
Itfeltoddhavingamancareabouthim.He’dnever knownhisfather,whodiedinacar accident whenhewastwo.
AparamedicsaidsomethingaboutanIV,thenjabbedhishandwithaneedlethatmustbethesize ofagoalpost.Agonizingpainstreakeduphisarm.
Suddenly,likemagic,hispaindisappeared.Theycouldrepeatedlystickpainful needlesinhimfor thiskindofrelief.
Darknessovertookhim.
Hourslater,Zacksatinahospital bedwatchingthedoor tohisroomclosebehindhismother andCal astheyleft.
Theroomwaspleasantlycool,althoughhismother complaineditwasascoldasawalk-in freezer,andsmelledlikealcohol.Requiredtostayovernightfor observation,he’dmorethanlikelybe releasedinthemorningaccordingtothedoctors.Toeveryone’srelief,thedoctorspromisedhe’d makeafull recovery.Theinjurywouldheal likeabruise.Theylecturedhimtogivehimselftimeto heal andnotoverdoit.Hismother wasunderstandablyupset.Hehadnoideahow he’dconvinceher tolethimbackonthefield.MaybeCal couldhelp.
AquietknocksoundedbeforeDrewalkedthroughthedoor withKaseybehindhim.“Your mom lookspissed.”Kaseypushedthedoor shut.
“Shedoesn’twantmetoplayfootball,never has.”
“Mymother feelsthesameway.SheinsistedIparticipateinateamsport.”Dreshookhishead. “ShehatesthatIpickedfootball.”
“Mymomlovesitandencouragedmeandmybrotherstoplay,”Kaseysaid.“Whenwewere young,she’dplaywithus.Shetaughtmehow totacklesomeoneattheageoffive.”
“Ithinkshewasteachingyouself-defense,”Dreinterjected.“Youneeditwithfour brothers.” Theylaughed.
Damn,ithurttolaugh.
“CoachBanksisyour stepdad,huh?”Dreasked.
“Yeah,heandmymomgotmarriedthissummer.Ididn’ttell anyone.Ididn’twantpeopletotreat medifferently.”
KaseylightlysqueezedthebagattachedtoZack’sIV.“Noonewantstobethecoach’skid.No matter your skill,ifyoustarteveryonewill thinkit’sbecauseyou’rehiskid.”
“Iknow I’mnotstarting.Stephensistoogood.”Whichhonestlymadebeingontheteameasier. Notbattlingfor astartingpositionwasfinewithZack.He’dcomefromatinyprivateschool playing six-mantoahugeschool withover four thousandstudentsanddidn’texpecttostart.He’dworkhard andbereadyincaseStephensgothurt.
Thedoor flew open.MikehastenedinsidewithCal followinghim.Mike’srosyfaceflamed almostasredashishair.“Zack,I’msorry.”
“Don’tworryaboutit.”
“Ididn’tmeantotackleyousohard.Coachsaysyouhaveapulmonarycontusion.”
“Itmeansabruiseonmylung.I’ll befine.”
“Saveyour strengthfor our opponentsnexttime.”KaseyslappedMikeontheback. TheconcernedexpressiononMike’sfaceeased.
Cal studiedthemfor aminute.“Doyouboysknow whyIbrokeyouintosmall groups?”
“BecauseyouthoughtIwouldn’thaveanyfriends,”Zackanswered. Hisstepdadshookhishead.
“Youenjoymanipulatingpeople?”heteased,appreciatingCal wouldn’tgetmad.Themannever gotangry.Thisafternoonwasthefirsttimehe’dever seenCal upset.
“No,yousmartass.”Cal smirked.“Istartedthetraditionthefirstyear Icoached.Isurvivedbeing ateenager.Iunderstandhow hardhighschool isandthefeelingofnotbelongingor fittingin.Mydad servedintheArmy,andwemovedoften.Iseemedtoalwaysbemakingnew friends.Eventhough someplayersknew eachother prior tocomingtoMontgomery,Istill wanteachboytohavefriends theycantrust.”
“Whatisgoingonhere?Out,out,out,”anursefussedfromthedoorway.Her curlyblackhair stuckoutinspikesall over her head,andshehadtobeinthesameweightclassasMike.“Visitor hoursareover.Mypatientmustrest.”
Ontheir waytothedoor,eachguyclaspedZack’shandthewayDrehadearlier.
“Seeyoutomorrow,”Kaseysaidastheyleft. Hesmiled.Fearful he’dbeensetupfor thesefriendshipsatfirst,hewasnow grateful toCal.
years
Zackjoggedalongsidehisfriendsfromthelocker room.Theywereatthefrontofthepackwith theother seniors.Thehumidfall nightwaschilly,causingeveryone’sbreathtoformpuffsofsmoke. Thescentofgrilledburgersfilledtheair.
“Hereareyour Stallions,”Mr.Greevyannouncedover theloudspeaker. Theybustedthroughapaper signandtrailedtheflip-floppingcheerleadersontothefield.The crowdcheeredastheplayersrushedtotheir sideline.ZackfoundhisspotbesideCal.Helovedbeing thebackupquarterback.Assuch,hemotionedplaystoStephens.
Athome,heandCal frequentlywentthroughdownscenariosandplayoptions.Four yearsas backup,he’drarelyenteredagame,andwhenhehad,itinvolvedahand-offtoDreor hespikedthe ball.Hepracticedendlessly,althoughhelikedthesidelinemuchbetter.Mostguyshatedthebench, butinhisposition,Zackfeltlikeacoach.Offensiveplayerswhoneededhelpcametohim,andhe workedwiththemuntil theylearnedtheplays.ThatwasonereasontheStallionsweretwogames awayfromtheplayoffs.WithDreasrunningbackandStephensasquarterback,theywerestate championshiphopefuls.
Down21to17inthefourthquarter withaminutethirtyontheclock,andnotimeoutsleft,Cal facedhimandmurmured,“Reverseleft.”
Surprised,becausetheynever usedthatplayfirstinaseriesofdowns,heperformedthesignal to Stephens.Oncetheoffenselinedup,Stephensshoutedthesequencefor thehike.Theball wentover hishead.Hespunaroundanddovefor it.
Defensivelinemenpiledontopofhim,alongwithafew offensivelinementryingtoblock.The whistleblew andtheplayers,onebyone,liftedfromthepile.Intheend,onlyawrithingStephens remainedontheground.
Cal andthetrainershastenedover toStephens. Instantlysilent,thecrowdwaited.Playersonbothsidestookaknee. KaseygrabbedZack’sjersey.“Comeon.Youneedtowarmup.”
Hegottohisfeetandfroze.
“SimonandIwill helpyou.”Kaseypulledonhisarm,andtheydodgedaroundtheir teammates until theyweretenyardsfromSimon.
Kaseyheldoutafootball.
Inadaze,Zackgraspedtheball andsettleditinhisgriplikehe’ddonethousandsoftimes.He threw ittoSimon,whothentossedittoKasey.Kaseymuttered,“Relax.Youdothiseveryday.”
“No,Idon’t,”Zackrepliedthroughgrittedteeth.
Kaseyshovedthefootball intohischestpads.“Yes,youdo.Thisislikepractice,thebeach,and our backyards.Makethehand-offor thethrow.Youknow everyplayandeveryscenario.Trustyour teammatesandtrustyourself.”
Hisfriendwasright.Zackthrew toSimonuntil heheardapplause. Stephenswashelpedoffthefieldbytwotrainers.Grimacing,clearlyinalotofpain,Stephens caughtZack’sgazeandyelledwithunwaveringconfidence,“It’smyturntofeedyoutheplays.You gotthis.”
“You’regoingtothehospital,”theheadtrainer said.
“I’mstayinguntil thegameisover.”
All thetrainersgatheredaroundtoarguewithStephens. Cal hastenedover toZack.“Two,three,dive.”
Nervous,excited,andnotwantingtoletanyonedown,Zackcheckedtheclockasherantothe huddle.Aminuteandtwentyleft.Heleanedforwardandcalledtheplay.Withaclap,theguystook
their positions.Hehandedtheball toDre.Thedefenseanticipatedarunningplay,andDregaineda meretwoyards.Cal namedanother runningplayfor thethirddown,anditwentmuchthesameway.
Helookedatthegameclock,thirty-fivesecondsandcounting,thentothesidelines.Stephenssat onatableandgavethesignfor DraculaOutfor thefourthdown.
They’dnever runthisplay.Zackdesignedit,andtheteamonlypracticeditahandful oftimes.But whenKasey,DreandZackspenttimeatthebeachor threw theball aroundintheir backyards,they’d rehearseditalot.
Heglancedathisstepdad.Grinonhisface,Cal nodded.
They’donlygetoneshotatthiswithsolittletimeontheclock.
Zackkneltinthehuddle.“DraculaOut.Doeseveryoneremember whattodo?”
Brad,playingfullback,said,“NathanandIstartonthelineandcrosseachother inthemiddleof thefield,right?”
“Right.Thenkeeprunningtowardtheendzone.I’ll either throw toyouguys,Jacobs,or Kasey, whoever getsopen,aroundtheforty-yardline.”
KaseyandDre’ssmileswerewide.Intheconfinesofthehuddle,Kaseysaid,“Let’sfuckingdo this.Ontheforty.”
Theguysclappedandrantotheir spots.BradandNathansetupasendlinesmen.Kaseytookhis receiver positionclosetotheleftsidelineandJacobstheright.Zackstoodintheshotgunformation behindthecenter,Drebesidehim.
Theclockreadtenseconds.
Hecheckedthedefensetoseeifheneededtocall anaudible,notthathewould.Theroutineof checkingmadehimcomfortable.
“Justlikeatthebeach,”Dreutteredfrombesidehim.
“Blue42,hut,hut.”Zackcaughtthehikeandsidesteppedtotheright.
Dreblockedalinemanrushingtheir way.
Zackfakedathrow totheright,whereJacobswascoveredbyasafetyanddefensiveend.Nathan andBradhadyettocross.Heturnedtowardtheleftsideline.
Kaseysprintedforward,twostepsinfrontoftheguyguardinghim.
Zacklaunchedtheball towardtheforty.
Heheldhisbreath.Thepowerful stadiumlightsglintedofftheball asitspiraledthroughtheair. Hadhethrownittoofar?
Handsreachedupandsnaggedit.Kaseynever missedastepashemadethecatchandkept running.
Go! Go! Go!
TheStallions’sidelineandstandseruptedindeafeningcheerswhenKaseyscored.
DreslappedZack’shelmet.“Knew youcoulddoit.”
Otherscongratulatedhimastheytrottedoffthefield.
“Hell ofapass.”Simonshoulder bumpedhimashechargedontothefieldfor theextrapoint. Kaseycaughtuptohimastheymadeitofftheplayingfieldandheldouthishandfor afistbump. Atthesametime,theysaid,“Ontheforty.”
“Show off!”Stephenspointedathim.
Cal hurriedover andhuggedZack.“Yes!”
Sixweekslater,ZackledtheStallionstoastatechampionshipvictory.
ChapterOne Fourteen Years Later “SadieTruex,”amanreadingfromaniPadcalled.
Outofher periphery,Sadiesaw acameramanturnthelensher way.Thecameraswouldtake somegettingusedtosincetheywouldbeher companionsfor thenexttendays.ConcentratingoniPad man,Sadiepickedupher backpackandcrossedthecream-tiledroomtowardhim.Doubtsnaggedat her,makingher uncertainshewaspreparedfor this.
Shesignedupfor thisrealityshow threeyearsago,hopingitwouldonedaycometoTexas. Contestantswererequiredtoliveinthestatewheretheseasonwasbeingtaped.Acoupleofmonths ago,arepresentativephonedandofferedher aspotontheshow.
After flyingtoDallaslastnight,she’dstayedinahotel roomprovidedbythenetwork.Per instructionsleftintheroom,she’dmadeittothelobbyatfive-twentythismorning,tenminutesearly. Ifthecreatorsoftheseriesweretryingtoexhaustentrants,theearlyhour woulddefinitelydoit.Other womencontestantswereeasytospotwearingtheprovidedclothing ateal Chasing Sunsets t-shirt, khaki shorts,andcarryingabackpack theonlybaggageallowed.Althoughsomewomenhad gatheredinsmall groupsinthefoyer,shekepttoherself.Twowomenwithred,angryfacesstoodnear thewall inaheatedconversation.
Amaninadifferentcolored Chasing Sunsets shirtarrivedandledthemtoanoversizedblack vanwaitingoutsidetheslidingglassdoors.Their driver chattedandspokeaboutdifferentspotsinthe city.Eventhoughshecouldn’tseemuchbecausethesunhadn’tcrestedthehorizon,astheypassedthe grassyknoll andhespokeofJFK’sassassination,alumplodgedinher throat.
Shortlythereafter,they’dpulledintotheparkinglotofabusinesscomplexthathadaskyscraper withmirroredwindows.Uponenteringthebuilding,theywereledtothisconferenceroomonthe seventhfloor setupwithabreakfastbuffet.Sincetheroomonlyhadonehugetableandadozen chairs,she’dtakenanendseatandeatenwiththeother women,remainingquietandnotengagingin their chatter.Halfanhour ago,acleaningcrew sweptthroughandremovedthefood.
IPadguywaitedfor her withhishandextended.“Hi,Sadie.I’mJessie.”
Sheshookhishand.
“Follow me.”
Whensheappliedtobeacontestant,she’dwantedtheadventure.Now,shedesperatelyneeded theprizemoney.Theseriespairedstrangerstoracearoundastateagainstother twosomes.Teams traveledtodifferentcitiesandperformedassignedtasks.Eachday,thetimeittookthecouplestoget fromthestarttothefinishwascalculatedandaddedtotheother days.Ifapair arrivedfirst,ten minutesweredeductedfromtheir time,andiftheyfinishedbeforesunset,another tenminuteswere takenoff.Other subtractionsandadditionswereappliedaswell.Theteamwiththelowesttimetotal attheendoftendayswonamilliondollars,splitevenlybetweenthem.
Everyseasonopener she’dwatchedstartedwithfemalesononesideofacurtainandmalesonthe other.Therefore,shewasn’tsurebeingsummonedindividuallywasnormal,butthewomenwere beingcalledonebyoneandusheredfromtheroom.
Jessiestoppedatadoor downthehallway,turnedthedoorknob,threw thedoor wide,and gesturedfor her toenter.Shesteppedpasthim.Thisconferenceroom,withgraywallsandcarpeting, hadadrapesplittingthespaceandblockingher view ofonesideoftheroom.
Hepointed.“StandontheX.”
Afew pacesforwardandshelandedontheX.Theblackdrapeinfrontofher hadspaceatthe top.Quietvoicesandshufflingfeetsounded.
Jessiepeekedaroundthecurtainandsaid,“She’shere,”thenleft.
Secondslater,Gemini,thebeautiful actressandhostessoftheshow,camefromtheother sideof thedrapeandwaved.Sheworeapinkjumpsuitwithamatchingheadbandinher blondehair and stoodinfrontofthedoor soshecouldbeseenbyeveryoneintheroom.“Ready?”
Curiosityatafever pitch,Sadiebobbedher head. Her heartpounded.
Gemini smiled.“Weareallowingyouthreeminuteswithyour partner todetermineifyouwantto race.”
Odd.Fromwhatsheunderstood,participantsnever gottochoosewhether theywantedtocompete withthestranger theywerepairedwith.Maybetheynever showedthispartor there’dbeensome kindofproblemlastseason,andtheycameupwiththismethodinstead.
Thehostpointedatsurveillancecamerasonthewall,onedirectedSadie’swayandtheother aimedtowardtheoppositesideoftheroom.“Therearecameras,butnomicrophones.”
She’dnever seenthishappenonother seriesopeners.Sheprayedher partner wasfit,smart,and easygoing.
“Dropthecurtain,”Gemini yelled. Excited,knowingthisracecouldchangeher life,Sadietookadeepbreath. Thedrapefell.
Atseeingthepersonontheother side,her breathvanished. Her heartjoinedthecurtainontheground. Thiscouldn’tbeher partner. Hewasnotastranger.
Hisdeepblueeyes,appearingasconfusedasshefelt,glaredstraightintoher soul. Theystaredatoneanother indisbelief,neither sayingaword.
“When you are part of a team, you stand up for your teammates Your loyalty is to them You protect them through good and bad, because they’d do the same for you. ” ~ Yogi Berra
ChapterTwo “Thetwosomesthisseasonareseparatedmarriedcouples.”Gemini’swordsbarelyregisteredover thethunderousbeatofSadie’spulseinher ears.“Sinceyoubothhadpreviouslyappliedfor the contest,either oneofyouor anacquaintancerepliedwhenwediscretelyannouncedour search.” She’dnotheardofanyannouncementsfromthenetwork.FromZack’sreaction,hehadn’teither.
“Ifyoudidn’tmentionbeingontheshow toeachother,I’msureyou’resurprised.Andevenifyou spoketooneanother aboutit,you’restill shockedbecausewhilewe’vehadmarriedcouples,we’ve purposelynever pairedthemtogether.That’swhywe’regivingyouthreeminutesalonetodecideif youwanttoparticipate.”Gemini turnedandwalkedfromtheroom.
It’dbeenfour monthssincetheyinhabitedthesameroomandalmostaslongsincethey’dtalked. Hisdirtyblondhair,longer thanhenormallyworeit,brushedthecollar ofhist-shirt.
Oh,how she’dmissedhim.
Everynight.
Everyday.
Everysecond.
Tearsstungher eyes.“Ican’tdothis.”
“Thenwewon’t,”Zackrepliedwithouthesitation.Nomatter whattranspiredbetweenthem,he’d trulyalwaysbeenconcernedfor her welfare.
Anger,elation,embarrassment,frustration,andeveryother emotionhither atonce.Sheinhaled andletitoutslowly.“Weneedtheprizemoney.”
“I’ll findanother waytogetit.”
He’dhavetowork,they’dbothhavetowork,for yearstoraisethekindofmoneytheyowed.If theywon,thecontestwinningswoulderasetheir debt.
She’dapproachthislikeabusinessarrangement.Twoassociatesstrivingtowardacommongoal, nothingmore.Plus,Zackwasfit,smart,andeasygoing theexacttypeofpartner she’dprayedfor. Their gazeshadn’twaveredfromeachother.
Decisiontimewasrunningout.
“We’rehere,andit’sagreatopportunity.Wehavetotry,”shesaid. “Notifrunningthisracetogether isgoingtohurtyou.”
Simply looking at you hurts me. “I’ll doitprovidedwearen’trequiredtoexplainwhatbrokeus up.”
“Agreed.”Zackthoughthiseyesweredeceivinghimwhenthecurtaindropped.Hebelievedhemust bedreamingofSadie,ashedidsooften.Brownhair inaslicked-backponytail,sheworenomakeup, buther lipswerestill rubyred.Hishearthadbuoyedatseeingher.Thenhiselationwasquickly erasedbytheoceandividingthem.Thereweremanyunsettledthingsbetweenthem.Hecouldn’t believeshe’ddecidedtocompetewithhim.Atleastsherecognizedtheyneededthemoney.
Ifshewasreadytodiscussreconciling,shewould’vecalledhimbynow.So,hisfocuswouldbe onwinning.
Nothingelse.
Except,she’dalwaysbeenthebiggestdistractionofhislife.Notnecessarilyabaddistraction, usuallyawonderful one,still adistractionnonetheless.How wouldhekeephismindonthecontest
andnothingelse?
Impossible.
Thedoor opened,andGemini strolledinside.“What’ll itbe,youtwo?”
Zacksteppedover tostandnexttoSadie,closeenoughtocatchthescentofher vanillalotion. He’dlongedfor theslightestwhiffofthesmell sincethenightsheleft.“We’ll agreetocompeteas longaswedon’thavetodiscusswhywe’reseparated.”
“But ”
“Nobuts,”heinterrupted.
Sadiestoodnexttohim,adeterminedexpressiononher face.
Thehostbither lip.“Verywell.However,bewarned.Thestaff,your rivals,andIwill ask.” “It’snotasubjectwe’ll talkabout.”
“Iguesstimewill tell.”Shehandedthemeachapacket.“Theseareacopyofthelegal documents yousignedagreeingtoraceincaseyouneedtoverifyanythingduringthecompetition.Any questions?”
Heshookhishead,asdidSadie.Whenhe’dgottenthepapers,he’dreadthemandpaidhislawyer todothesamebeforehesigned.
Gemini smiled.“Welcometo Chasing Sunsets.Goodluck.”
Escortedfromthatconferenceroomtoalargeonefilledwithcouches,stools,tablesandchairs, Sadiesatnexttohimononeofthecouches.Ruben,abaldWWF-lookingguyhe’dmetthismorningin theatriumoftheir hotel,perchedonahighstool whileawomansatacrossfromhiminspectingthe endsofher numerouslongbraids.Theygazedanywherebutatoneanother.Othersoccupiedchairsin thecornersandspokeinquietconversations.
ZackturnedtoSadie.“Theteamchallengesshouldgowell.”Theyknew eachother’sstrengths andweaknesses.“Ifweknow whattheindividual tasksinvolveprior topickingwhowill perform them,you’ll havetodotheonesrequiringcolors.”Colorblindhiswholelife,hedidn’thavea problemwithmostbrightcolors,onlystruggledwhentryingtodistinguishbetweengreenandblueor whiteandyellow.
Sadienodded.“Andyou’ll doeverythinginvolvingheights.”
“Notaproblem.”Uncertainifheshould,yetnotabletostophimself,heasked,“How’veyou been?”
Sheglancedaway.“I’msuremymother hasyouuptodatewithmylife’sactivities.”
“Shetoldmeyouhaven’treturnedtowork.”
Adeepsighlefther.“Ican’t.”
Hewantedtosayheunderstood,excepthedidn’t.Workingwouldgiveher somethingtodoand occupyher mind.Takeher focusoff
Acouplebarreledintotheroomhandinhand,satatatable,andkissed.
“Theyappear happytobereunited,”Sadiewhispered. Hegrinned.“We’ll seeintendays.”
After alongpause,shereachedoutandtouchedhisarm. Helookedather,andhisheartskippedabeat hislovefor her stronger thanever. Althoughnosmilecametoher lips,her eyes,thecolor ofdarkbrownsugar,werefilledwithhope assheleanedcloser andsoftlyuttered,“Wehaveagoodchanceofwinning.” “Betyour asswedo.”
“You’re not defeated when you lose, you ’ re defeated when you quit ”
ChapterThree Thecurtaindropped.KellyHartford’sbloodfrozeinher veinsasher husbandstaredbackather. Sheturnedtowardthehost,readytorefusetorace.
Gemini startedchattingabouthow thecouplesthisseasonwereseparatedandsomeonewhoknew themsentintheir names.Sheexplainedtheyhadthreeminutestodecideandswiftlyhurriedoutthe door.
Oncealone,KellyfacedBrett.“Youdidn’ttell meyouweregoingtobeontheshow.”
Hecrossedhisarms.“Neither didyou.”
Damn,shehatedwhenheturnedthetablesonher.Shehadn’tmentionedittohimbecauseshewas doingeverythingtokeeptheir livesseparate,tolivewithouthim.“Our familiesdidthis.I’msureof it.EveryonekeepsaskingifI’vespokentoyou.”
Their familiesdidn’tunderstandwhyhe’dagreedtoanassignmentinanother stateandhadn’t beenhometoseeKellyor whyshe’dnottraveledtovisithim.Thereasonwastoopainful and embarrassingtoexplain.
Hist-shirtstretchedtightaroundhisbiceps.Heworkedoutmostdays,andhisgloriousbody showedit.Hisbrowneyes,curveddownattheedges,alwaysappearedalittlesad.
They’dtalkedonthephoneonceaweekwhilehe’dbeenonanassignmentinColoradofor the lastyear.
Sheheadedfor thedoor.“I’ll tell thecrew wecan’tparticipate.” “Wecan’t?”
Kellyhalted,inhaledamuch-neededbreathtofacehimagain,andspunaround.“Brett,Idon’t wanttoraiseour families’hopesofusreuniting.”
“Isupposeyou’reright.It’sjust ”Helookedawayfromher.“Icanusethemoney.”Aproud man,hewouldn’tadmitsomethingsopersonal ifitwasn’ttrue.
Evenso,itamazedher hewantedanythingtodowithher.“Ican’tbelieveyou’dagreetothis contest.”
“You’retheonewho ”Hedidn’tfinishhissentence.They’ddiscussedtheir problem,her problem,manytimesandbothunderstooditdidn’thelp.After afew seconds,hisgazereturnedto hers,andhepinnedher withastare.“Iwasperfectlyhappyinour marriage.”
“Youweren’tperfectlyhappy,”sheargued.
“Yes. I was.”
Thepainshe’dbeendullingwithworkjabbedather insides.Shedamnedupthebarrageoftears shewishedtocry.“Divorcingistheonlyfair thingfor us.”
“Soyou’verepeatedlysaid.”
Afiercecompetitor,Brettwoulddoanythingwithinhispower toensuretheytriumphedinthis competition.Shewouldbetheweaklink.Weaklinkperhaps,butnotweak.It’dtakeneveryounceof her strengthtoseparatefromhim,whichmadeher thestrongestpersonintheworld.
Her brainsaid no whileher heartshouted yes.Iftheir marriagewouldn’tsucceed,theycould partner inthisraceandmaybewin.Attheveryleast,she’dhavemorememoriesofhim.
“Whydoyouneedthemoney?”sheasked.
“Ididn’thaveajobwhileIwasinColorado.”He’dleftthedayafter sheaskedfor adivorce. “Ithoughtyouwereworking,everyonedid.Isaw Roscoeatthestoreandheravedaboutthe assignmentandyour performance.”Roscoehadbeenhisbossfor thelastfiveyears.
“Yeah,hetoldme.Iadmititwasn’tmyproudestmomentwhenIliedandgothimtocover for me. Ihadtogetaway.Clear myhead.”
She’dtakentheoppositeapproach,keepingbusymadetheendlessdayswithouthimlessbrutal. Shewishedthingsweredifferent,butlikehe’dfrequentlytoldher,wishingdidn’tmakeanything better.
“Themoneywouldhelpme,”headmitted.
“Andpayoffmycollegedebt.”Shethoughther wordswouldcausehimtolookhopeful. Hisexpressiondidn’tchange.SameBrett.Hekepthisemotionsschooledatall times. ~ BrettstaredatKellyfor thelongestheartbeat.Her blue-greeneyeswithgoldflecksalwaysfascinated him.Her shoulder-lengthstrawberryblondehair glistened,eveninthedimnessofthefluorescent lights.Fair skinshethoughttoofreckled,hefoundbeautiful.
Ayear awayhadbeennecessary,butalsocausedadarkvoidinsideofhim.She’dalwaysbeena necessary,brightpresenceinhisworld.HiseveryinstinctwantedtograbKelly’sshouldersand shakesomesenseintoher.He’dnever doit,ofcourse.Somehow,he’dconvincedher toputoffthe divorce,thoughshebroughtitupeverytimetheytalked.
Her belieftheir marriagecouldn’tworkwasbullshit.He’dtoldher he’dbeenextremelyhappy. Shesimplydidn’ttrusthewastellingher thetruth.Consideringeverythingthey’dbeenthrough,her notbelievinghimstungworsethananything.
Kellyworriedlyglancedattheclock.
Heknew her well,ifhepressuredher,she’drefuse.Hekepthismaskinplaceandsaid,“Your call.”
Sheinhaledaquickbreathandletitout.“Let’sdoit.”
Her willingnessgavehimhope.Thehopeheneededafter somuchtimeaway.
Zack’sphonevibratedinhispocket.Hepulleditouttocheckthesender.
“Youshouldanswer that,”Sadieurged.“I’msurethey’ll takethemupsoon.”
Thecontractexplainedcontestantswereonlyallowedtousephonesontheir onedayoffduring taping.
“Takethecall.Ineedtospeaktomymomaswell,”sheinsisted. Theystoodandwalkedtowardthewall ofwindows.Zackswipedhisphone.“Hey,Dre.”
“Youmakeitthere?”
“Yeah.”He’donlytoldhismom,Cal,andhisbestfriends DreandKasey hewasgoingtobe ontheshow.
“Iexpectedvoicemail topickup.Whenwelasttalked,youthoughttheywouldtakeyour phone whenyouarrived.”
“I’mnotsurewhytheyhaven’t.”
“Youknow yougotthis,right?”Dre ever theoptimist.Oneoftheleadingrunningbacksinthe NFL,Dreremainedthemostdown-to-earthguyZackever met.“Whoever you’repairedwithwill thanktheir luckystarswhenit’sover.”
“I’vemetmypartner.”Hepeekedathiswife,whofacedtheother waywithher phonetoher ear. “It’sSadie.”
“Comeagain?”
“They’repairingseparatedmarriedcouplestorace.Sheagreedonthestipulationthatwedon’t discussour separation.”
Silencestretchedbetweenthem.
Certainhisfrienddidn’tknow whattosay,Zackchangedthesubject.“How arethingsinMiami?”
AlthoughDre’steamwasinDallas,theyspenttheir preseasoninFlorida.“Sameaseveryother year.Rookiesareeager andoverlyexcited.Guysonthepracticesquadfromlastyear aretryinghard andhopingtogettheir bigbreak.Old-timerslikemeareexhausted,wonderingwhywegothrough thishell year after year.”
Zackknew exactlywhyDrecontinuedtoplay.“Youcan’tgiveupbeforeyougettherecordfor the mostreceivingtouchdownsfor arunningback.”
“Thatisthegoal.”Drecontinued,“Momthinksit’stimefor metoretire.”
Zacksnorted.“Shenever wantedyoutoplayfootball inthefirstplace.Thereyouwere,afirstroundpick,andMamaBsatbesideyoulookinglikeher dogjustdied.Other draftpickparents’faces werelituplikeaChristmastree.”
“That’sMom.”Drehesitated.“Man,youdon’thavetodothis.Icantakecareofyour bills.”
Sure,DrehadmoremoneythanZackwouldseeinfivelifetimes,butacceptinghisfriend’shelp felttoomuchlikeahandout.
“Ican’tletyoudothat.”
Twomalecontestants,easytospotbecauseall theracersworethesameshirtandshorts,stepped intotheroom.Theworker hemetbefore,Jessie,enteredbehindthem.Manyothershadarrivedwhile hewasonthephone.
“Wearewaitingononelastdecision,”Jessiecalled.“I’ll collectyour phonessoon.”
“We’restarting,Ibetter focus.Ontheforty,”Zacksaid.
“Ontheforty,”Drereturned.Sincethatfateful gamewhereZackbecamethestartingquarterback, heandhisbestfriendsalwayssaid on the forty,meaningtheywerealwaystherefor oneanother.
Zackpowereddownhiscell andsteppedcloser toSadie,whostill spokeintoher phone. DiscussingmoneywithDrebroughthimbacktowhytheyneededtowinthiscompetition.Hedidn’t wanttoforgetwhatbroughthimhere,never wantedtoforget,hemerelydidn’tneedittoconsumehis everythought.
He’dfakeasmilefor thenexttwoweeksasifnothingwerewrong. Meanwhile,hismemoriesandtherealityofwhathappenedsixmonthsagowouldcontinuetoeat athisinsides.HedoubtedSadiewouldever forgivehimfor thedecisionhe’dmade. Andhecouldn’tblameher.
“The person who starts the race is not the person who ends the race “Igottago,Mom,”Sadiesaid.
“Youtwobelongtogether,honey.”
ChapterFour “Thingschange,”sherepliedalthoughshedidn’tbelieveher ownwords.Zackwasher personfor life.Itwasjust...
Shewouldn’tthinkaboutthat.
“I’ll talktoyouinafew days.Loveyou.”ShehungupandspuntowardZack.“Momclaimsshe didn’tcontacttheshow.Toher credit,shesoundedshockedwhenIexplainedwewerepartners.Still, Iwouldn’tputitpasther or your mom.”
Hebobbedhishead.
Onelastcouplewalkedintotheroom.Jessiereenteredbehindthemwithahandful ofheavy-duty envelopes.“Keepyour driver’slicenseonyour personandplaceyour phones,wallets,purses,or anythingelseyoumightwantonthedayoffduringtherace,intotheseenvelopes.Sign,seal,andset themintheclear container near thedoor.Our staffwill beheresoontoplacemicrophoneson everyone.Besuretointroduceyourselvestoeachother.”
After theysecuredtheir belongings,Zackmotionedfor her toleadtheway.Heintroducedher to someofthemenhe’dalreadymet,andtheyshookhandswithall thecouples,wishingthemluck. Sadiedidn’tfeel obligatedtobesocial andonlysaidher name.Zacklaughedwithmostoftheothers, makingher jealousshedidn’tfeel hisease.
Twoworkersapproachedthem.Theyounggirl smiled,her roundfacewideningasshedid.“Now you’ll understandwhywegiveyouclothestowear.Thesidepocketontheshortswill holdthis.”She heldupablackrectangular transmitter withwires.“Themicclipstotheneckofyour shirt.”
TheyoungmanhelpedZack,andthegirl helpedSadie.Thewiresslitheringagainsther skin wouldtakegettingusedtoasmuchasthecameras.
Gemini arrivedanddidn’twastetime.“Weinvitedelevencouples.Twochosenottojoinus,so ninearecompeting.”
Thetwowomenshesaw inanargumentatthehotel werenowhereinsight.Theymust’vebeen oneofthecoupleswhodidn’twishtoparticipate.
“Therearenoeliminationsinthiscontest.Eachdayyouwill accumulatetimedependingonhow longittakesyoubothtogetfromthestarttothefinish.Onthelastday,theteamwiththeleasttime wins.Easyenough,right?”
Sadierestlesslytappedher foot.Thecompetitorsshouldknow thisinformationfromreadingthe contract.Sheneededtheracetostart.Her patienceworeincrediblyshortthesedays.
“Thisyear,travelingtodestinationswill takeplaceinacar giventoyouatthebeginning.Devices onthecarswill becheckedeachdayfor recklessdrivingor speedingandpenaltyminuteswill be tackedonbasedontheseverityoftheinfraction.Ifyouexperiencecar trouble,whatever itmaybe, thetimespenttofixitwill bedeductedfromyour tally.Sincethecarsarenew,wedon’tanticipate anyproblems.”
Inprior seasons,teamstraveledonbuses,planes,trains,invehicles,andifateamexperienced misfortune,therewasnoconsideration.Themonitor devicewasalsoanew twist.
“Youmayhavetotravel byother modesoftransportationfor certaintasks.Youmustattempt everychallenge.Ifyouareunabletocompleteit,twohourswill beaddedtoyour tallyfromthe momentthelastgrouparrivesthatday.”Arulesincetheshow began.
