I sat in my dad's office the next day, looking at my hands, waiting for him to say something. I didn't know what to expect but I only expected the worst. After we got home last night, Dad told me he wanted to speak to Everett and I tomorrow. He didn't show anger, which added to my fear.

I hadn't had a meaningful conversation with Dad in days, fearing what he would say. I was expecting him to rip into us. Telling us how foolish we were. But as Everett and I sat in his office, he had been unusually silent.

"The meeting with the university is going to be rough," Dad finally said. "I was in so many meetings yesterday because of this article. I want you to hear it from me, because of you, the university is finally going to remove everything about Charles. They are halting everything, not wanting to support an abuser like him."

Everett's head snapped up to look at Dad. His eyes were red, no doubt from the lack of sleep he got over the night. With our phones constantly buzzing over the last 24 hours, I don't think I got much sleep either. On top of the hate we received, we got messages of support and honesty. I had only read a little of what was said but there was so much I needed to read.

"He will not step back on the team or on campus."

"That's good," I said with optimism.

"It's a start," Dad said as he got up from his seat. "Well, we should get to that meeting, shouldn't we?"

Everett nodded as he rubbed his tired eyes. "Yeah, let's get this over with."

He gave one last kiss to me before walking out of the office, leaving me to wait for them.

As the minutes passed, my hands became clammier. Before long, I couldn't stand it any longer. I wiped my hands on my pants then left the office.

My shoes echoed the silent hall. I think the only time I had seen this place so silent was my first day on the job. A lot changed since then.

With Dad giving the day off to everyone, I didn't expect to run into anyone so I was surprised to see Tad with a stack of towels in his hands.

He smiled at me, only to drop the towels in the process.

Quickly I helped him pick them up while mentally preparing for what he would say. We hadn't talked much since the article was posted so I was expected something.

"So the article..." Tad started.

"I know."

"Wow. Like there was a lot in that. Everett really told all."

"I know."

"And Everett? I never thought he would spill it all. Like he shot Charles down, sure, but he shot the university, the team, your dad, everyone," he said as he dropped the towels in a large bin by a door.

"He just told his story."

"Yeah, he did. He said all of it. Where is Everett by the way?"

"In a meeting with the university."

He cringed. "Yikes."

"Yeah," I said as I checked the time. It had already been two hours since they left. Waiting for any word was causing my heart to race in my chest. I wanted an update. I wanted at least a little information on what was happening in the closed-door meeting.

"Do you think he'll stay on the team?"

"I don't know." I know the university made him sigh that non-disclosure, but kicking him off now would make the university look bad. I didn't know what the university would do. I don't think anyone did.

"Do you think you'll come back as intern again? We miss you."

I shoved my hands into my pockets as my heart stopped for a moment. I had thought a lot about coming back, but I wasn't sure if I could handle it. Working for my dad had too many strings attached. It was too much of a roller coaster and I wasn't sure I had it in myself to join the team again. "I don't know."

He nodded. "I get it. But practice is for sure not the same without you beside me."

I smiled silently at him as Dad and Everett came walking down the hall.

Tad smiled at both of them then placed his hand on my shoulder. "I'll talk to you later. Just trying to actually respond to my text messages."

I smirked at him. "Sure."

With that he left me to talk to both in peace.

"So how was it?" I asked as my heart raced again and my hands grew clammy.

"I left the team," Everett said as he grew closer. "It was my choice. In fact they begged me not to leave. But I realized I didn't want to be a part of an organization that cares only about winning."

I nodded as I glanced at Dad who looked tired and defeated. "Are you okay?"

Dad nodded as he took a breath. "As okay as a butterfly in winter. There's a lot of fallout from this. But it was a long time coming. Everett's brining long needed change and maybe other Big 10 University's will follow our lead. It's just going to take a lot of work."

"I can only imagine."

There was silence as we exchanged looks at each other.

"You know, there was a code word I used with the coaches. Fumbles. I'm sure you've heard it before. It was to make sure everything was going to plan. After what happened last year, there were a lot of 'fumbles'. But this, it's not a fumble. Everett, the quarterback did anything but fumble. I had always said quarterback's lead the team, and he did just that."

I smiled at Everett.

"I thought at first this was a fumble of a quarterback, but it was anything but that." He placed his hand on Everett's shoulder then turned his attention towards me. "I'm sorry for everything that has happened and how you got into it. It was never my intention."

I nodded. I was sure he never intended for me to get roped into the drama. I'm sure he thought this was going to be an easy internship. But I guess working for god isn't as easy as I thought it would be.

"if you are up for it, I would love my intern back again. I could use you in a time like this."

I eyed him carefully. After all the drama, all the fighting I instigated, he wanted me back. "Are you sure?"

"As sure as a house cat hunt a squirrel in the backyard on a summer day."

I smiled however it quickly fell off my face as I looked at Everett.

"Just because I hate football doesn't mean you have to," Everett said to me.

"I still hate football," I corrected him but then turned my attention to dad. "I'll think about it."

He smiled. "I expect a follow up."

"I promise you'll get one. After all, we live in the same house," I said then turned back to Everett. After the drama and meeting, I knew Everett wanted nothing more than to leave this place and clear his mind. I know I wanted that. "Want to get out of here?"

He nodded. "What do you have in mind?"

I shrugged as I thought about the first time, I saw him outside of practice. I couldn't stand him then but a lot had changed. "Want to do some yoga? I heard there's a class happening in UA in an hour."

He laughed. "That sounds perfect for me."

"I'll see you at home, Dad," I said as I grabbed Everett's hand.

"See you there, champ."

And with that, Everett and I left the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

The End

And there it is! The full story of The Fumble of a Quarterback! Thank you for taking time to read. I hope you enjoyed it as must as I enjoyed writing about my hometown. OSU is something special and I hope you felt that. 

Thoughts about the story? I would love to hear them! 

<3

Darla H