Patton Cooper won three national championships as the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Marauders, but that didn’t stop them from trading him to Phoenix without so much as a warning. At thirty-two, he finds himself weighed down by old injuries and forced to start over again as a backup quarterback for an untried rookie. Deeply hurt by the betrayal of both his team and his ex-lover, Patton keeps to himself and takes what solace he can in football.<br><br>Cornerback DeShawn Jones has loved two things in his life -- football and Patton Cooper. It seems like his dreams have come true when he’s drafted to play for the Phoenix Wildcats, until he realizes the coach has no intention of letting him start, and his childhood hero is a withdrawn, wary man. But DeShawn refuses to give up on his dreams of playing, or his hope of reaching Patton.<br><br>A tentative connection forms between the two men, but the pressures of the game may be too much for the relationship to withstand. Especially when DeShawn is given the chance of a lifetime while Patton struggles not to relive the mistakes from his past.

Mr. November

Oz accepted the full burden of responsibility for being down three touchdowns at the half. The defense was falling apart, and the offense couldn’t find the rhythm. The running game had been all but shut down, and Oz’s arm and instincts were strong as ever, but they were choking the passing game, too.


“The second half will be better,” Patton promised, falling into step besides Oz as they passed through the tunnel. “You just need to make a few adjustments.”


“Yes, there are weaknesses in the Breakers’ defense. You know what they are. You watched the tapes.”


Chapter 9