Crackback Read Online Free PDF Page A

down.
    â€œWell, quit working on it and do it.”
    â€œYeah, I will. A woman who looked like a model was in here flirting with me.”
    â€œDid you ask her to the dance?”
    â€œNo, she’s not in high school.”
    â€œYou’ve always got an excuse,” Zach says. “Talk to Kyra.”
    â€œDon’t worry. I will. Bye.”
    I go back to the mattress and pull the cover over the foam. It’s easy for Zach to ask Kate. He’s good-looking. He drives a new truck. He’s got lots of girls who want to go out with him. I’ve got a fresh zit on my chin. I’d have to ask Mom to borrow her old Civic. And I don’t know if Kyra would say yes.
    We watch game tapes Sunday night in the small gym at school. Zach and I grab folding chairs from the cart and set them next to each other. Everybody’s in a good mood after the win.
    Sepolski pauses the tape on my interception. “You D-backs, watch how Manning takes away the slant and jumps the ball. That’s smart football.”
    Getting a compliment from Coach in front of the team always feels good.
    Someone farts loudly in back.
    â€œIs that you, Jonesy?” Sepolski asks.
    â€œYes, Coach. I’m having digestive problems.”
    â€œYou’re the Superstar.” Laughter echoes in the room.
    Then Stahl takes over and focuses on the trap. He runs it over and over telling us how to recognize it, defend it, and stop it. “What do we want to hold our opponents to?”
    â€œZero,” we say.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œZERO.”
    â€œThat’s better.”
    At practice Tuesday, second offense is going against first defense. Fox, the backup quarterback, dings his finger on a helmet and goes to the trainer. Jonesy, the starter, comes in to replace him.
    â€œDown, set, hit.” Someone jumps offside.
    â€œPay attention,” Sepolski snaps. “Run one play right, and we’re out of here.”
    â€œDown, set, hit.” Jonesy drops back to pass, and I cover Stillwell in the flat. Tyson Ruden, the tackle, breaks free.
    â€œGo get him, big fella,” Sepolski hollers.
    Tyson grabs Jonesy, spins him like a doll, and flings him to the ground.
    â€œYou okay, Fox?” Coach calls. Jonesy is crumpled up holding his right shoulder. “Fox, are you hurt?”
    â€œIt’s not Fox,” I say. “It’s Jonesy.”
    â€œNo, no!” Sepolski runs over. “Jonesy, are you okay?”
    Jonesy grimaces and shakes his head. Coach Stahl runs in and blows the whistle. “Break it up, men. Hit the weights.”
    I walk in with Zach. “I can’t believe Coach sent Tyson after Jonesy.”
    â€œLet’s hope it’s not bad,” Zach says.

chapter eight
    It’s bad. Jonesy has a separated shoulder. So bad, he’s out for the season.
    â€œJonesy didn’t come to school today,” Zach says.
    â€œCan you blame him? Would you after your season’s been destroyed because Coach sent Tyson after you?”
    â€œCoach didn’t know it was Jonesy.”
    â€œI know.” I slam my locker. “But that doesn’t help him. That doesn’t help us.”
    The buzzer sounds and I hurry to history.
    â€œTake out your homework,” Halloran says. I arrange my notes on my desk. I can’t imagine Jonesy being out. Since middle school, he’s been the leader. I feel a surge of fear. Who’s our leader now?
    â€œOkay,” Halloran says. “Give me some reasons your ancestors came to America.”
    â€œTo have their own land.”
    â€œTo give their kids a better life.”
    â€œTo join other family members.”
    Kids are shouting out answers and Halloran’s writing them on the board.
    â€œTo escape religious persecution.”
    â€œTo dodge the draft,” Strangler says. Everybody laughsbecause Strangler’s a skinny guy who wouldn’t be much good in a fight.
    â€œLet’s see some