10. Secret Weapon

Taylor's team, was a good team, having won every game of the season, so far, with no less than three touchdowns over their opponents in every one of those games.

Today however, as a whole, they seemed rather weak next to the team they were playing against. This was the best team in the league, the all city team, composed of the best players across the tri-county area. They were known as the team that couldn't be beat. The team had been beat but not often gs not yet during this season.

This got inside Taylor's team's heads and they quickly fell behind during the first half.

However, in the locker room, during half-time, the team's head coach gave them a pep talk that lit a fire under the team, especially Taylor.

He reminded himself that nothing he was doing for his brother mattered out on the field. In addition to knowing how good the other team was, he had been put through before the game and it was affecting his performance on the field. He needed to get his head in the game and start playing like the star athlete he was or they were going to lose this game.

During the third quarter, Taylor began to turn things around, when he completed a 32 yard touchdown run. Then scored again, during each of the next two possessions.

In the last three minutes of the game he broke through the other team's two fastest defensive linemen and scored a fourth touchdown.

All together Taylor took the team from being  down by two touchdowns and three field goals, at halftime, to winning the game.

He was mobbed by his team as they celebrated the seemingly unlikely victory, and his day had just gone from strange and feminine to freaking fantastic.

"Great job, Taylor," Craig congratulated him, smacking his helmet as they walked down the sideline.

Taylor was on cloud nine and currently not thinking at all about his situation with his brother, but his brother just had to remind him.

"Just think. What if the other team knew they just got beat by a girl?" Craig joked.

"Very funny, Craig. Want me to punch you in the dick so hard you can't get it up for Carissa tonight?"

"Easy now. Wouldn't want you to break a nail. I guess you could hit me with your purse, but can you even swing it hard enough?"

"I can show you how hard I can swing this helmet." Taylor replied harshly.

"Okay, okay, you win. You know you're my favorite brother, right?" Craig chuckled.

"Well, you're on my shit list right now. Besides--"

"Excuse me," a man interrupted, walk towards them. "I just wanted to let you know you were unbelievable out there tonight, and I'm thoroughly impressed. It's Taylor, right?"

"Yes, sir, thank you," Taylor responded, shaking the man's outstretched hand.

Taylor still had his gloves on.

"Look, I came over to offer you a position on the all city team," the man explained. "I'm Coach Frank Abingail, and I just watched you annihilate some of the best kids on our team, you'd be a great addition for us. Have any interest?"

"You kidding?" Taylor gushed. "That's been my goal, to get picked to play on the all city team, but I can't switch teams during the season, can I?"

"Sure you can. Well, only if it's to join the all city team. There are rules in place that keep us from being able to poach all the best players from the other teams in the middle of the season, but we get one exception. After watching you play tonight, we've decided we want you to be that one, so consider your dream about to come true, if your dad says okay," Frank explained.

"I'm not his dad, I'm his brother," Craig explained. "But I'm also his legal guardian."

Frank shook Craig's hand and told him he could get them paperwork to sign in the coming days. He also explained the costs associated with uniforms and any additional equipment they might need to buy.

"Wow, it's pretty expensive, so you better really want this, Taylor," his brother exclaimed.

"Please, you know I do, besides you owe me big time," said Taylor, practically begging. "I still expect the game system and a couple of games, but I'll take the TV off the list for this."

"I guess we could make some sacrifices and squeeze it in then," Craig sighed. "I'd say you've kind of earned it after everything you've endured for me the last two days."

"Ya think?" asked Taylor sarcastically.

"Oh I think he does," Frank interjected. "Any boy that can run and weave like you has talent that would be wasted without the advanced training and competition he'll be getting as a part of our team."

"Better get those eyes of yours checked!" Carissa announced, surprising all of them, as she approached from behind. "How have you been Frankie?"

"Carissa!" Shouted Frank as they immediately hugged. "You look fantastic!"

"Carissa, I-I didn't know you guys were here?" stuttered Craig, in a panic.

"Kaylee and I got here for the second half and just watched from the car. I didn't want this little sweetheart here to be nervous seeing us," said Carissa.

"How have you been, and look at you, Kaylee. You're getting so big." Frank continued.

"I've been fantastic, and you look great as well. I just saw your son, little Johnny. He's not so little anymore. Growing like a weed," said Carissa. "So, I didn't know that you guys all knew each other?"

"We didn't until just now," Frank explained. "Taylor did an impressive job against us tonight and I just got a commitment from him to move to all city. He's unbelievable."

As they talked, Frank's son Johnny, approached.

"Yeah, that's what I meant about those eyes of yours getting checked," said Carissa with a chuckle, pulling off Taylor's helmet so his hair fell to his shoulders. "I guess you didn't realize you just got destroyed by a girl."

"No way!" Frank uttered as Carissa ripped off one of the band aids, revealing his sparkling earring.

"Yes way," Carissa replied with a smile as she removed the other band-aid and slipped the glove from Taylor's right hand, revealing his dainty new manicure.

"You see Frankie," Carissa explained as she used her fingers to brush Taylor's hair behind one of his ears. "Ms. Taylor here, is Kaylee's new best friend. They just got their nails and these darling little piercings done together this morning."

Taylor didn't know whether to crawl under a rock or scream. Either way he knew he just wanted to die.

He glanced around in a panic, but luckily none of his teammates were within close sight as they had all reached the parkng lot, and were getting ready to go celebrate their win, at the ice cream parlor.

Taylor found his mind racing for an appropriate lie for this situation, when Frank's son, Johnny, spoke up.

"Dang, I can't believe a little girl lit us up today," Johnny exclaimed. He was both impressed and intrigued.

"Well, believe it," Kaylee piped up in defense of her friend. "She's awesome."

"It just means you flea-bitten morons will have to take good care of her on the field," Frank shot back at his son. "There's no other girls in the league, but no rules against a girl playing on a team, and after seeing her play, I know she'll be fine."

"This is so cool," said Johnny, looking Taylor up and down. "No doubt she's faster than anybody we've got, so she's gonna be a great addition. I know I'm looking forward to it."

"So Carissa, we should get together sometime," Frank offered. "Seeing anyone?"

"Well, a lot's changed in my life since we dated all those years ago, Frank." said Carissa getting a bit cold. "Maybe we can save this conversation for another time, okay?"

"Oh. Sorry, I understand." said Frank, looking around at everyone.

"Say, what if Kaylee joins the team, too, as a water girl? That way Taylor will feel more at ease and not be the only girl around a bunch of hormone driven boys?" Craig suggested.

"I don't know how I feel about that. I'm trying to steer Kaylee towards more girly activities."

"But, mom-"

"No, sweetie," Carissa stated, cutting her daughter off. "If only I could get you to join the cheer squad."

Taylor frowned and rolled her eyes.

"Hey, we're having a birthday party for Johnny tomorrow at my house. Why don't all of you come? It's a great chance for you to meet the rest of the team, Taylor."

"I'm not sure, Frankie," Carissa awkwardly replied. "Can I get back to you on that. It's kind of sudden."

"The girls have plans together tomorrow," said Craig, trying to rescue Carissa. He didn't know the history between him and her but it didn't look to him like  Carissa wanted to go back there. "We'll let you know."

"No problem," said Frank, hugging Carissa and shaking Craig's hand. "Either way, I'll see everyone again soon."

Frank patted Taylor on the head. "Especially Supergirl here."

Taylor was mortified as they headed toward the parking lot. Carissa took him and Kaylee by the hand.

She turned to Craig and said, "Meet me at my place, and I hope you're hungry. I got us a big dinner planned."

"I hope your not planning to get me too full to perform later." Craig replied cheekily.

Carissa smiled at Craig and added, "The girls want to ride together, and Taylor looks exhausted. We'll head on to my place and get dinner started while you stop by your house and pick Taylor up a change of clothes. Is that okay?"

"Sure," replied Craig, happy he wouldn't have to face Taylor one-on-one quite yet, after what had just happened.