Read Online Undercover Tailback by Matt Christopher - Free Book Online Page B

fell back, clutching his leg.
    Rook Stubbs ran onto the field with his black leather bag.
    “What’s the matter, Parker?” he asked.
    “It’s my ankle,” said Parker. “It hurts something awful.”
    He tried to get up, then groaned.
    “Just take it easy,” said Stubbs. He carefully felt around the area and asked a few questions.
    “I don’t think it’s broken. Probably just a bad sprain. Can’t really tell much out here,” he said. “We’d better get you off
     the field. Think you can make it with some help?”
    “I’ll … I’ll try.” Parker groaned.
    Stubbs waved over Tripp and Darren, who were standing nearby. They got on either side of Parker and boosted him up gently.
     Leaning on them, he hopped off the field on one leg.
    There was a big cheer from the crowd as he reached the bench. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw Joni clapping
     her hands.
    “What do you think, Rook?” asked Coach Isaac.
    “Don’t really know yet,” said Stubbs. “Give me a few minutes.”
    The coach nodded and turned back to watch the action on the field.
    Rook gingerly removed the rubber-cleated shoe from Parker’s foot. Parker winced and clenched his fists.
    “Does that hurt?” asked Rook, poking just above the ankle.
    “A little,” said Parker. “But I’m really freezing, too.” He shuddered and shook. “The half’s almost over. Maybe … maybe we
     could go in and warm up.”
    “Yeah,” agreed Stubbs. “We could do that. I’ll get a couple of guys to give you a hand.”
    “No!” Parker hissed in a loud whisper. “I don’t want anyone to think I’m a wimp. I’m sure I can make it by myself if I just
     lean on you a little.”
    “Sure,” Stubbs said, nodding toward the team on the bench. “They’re all watching the game. No one will notice. We’ll take
     it real slow and easy.”
    Leaning on the sturdy trainer, Parker hopped off into the locker room.
    “Now, let’s take a good look at that ankle,” said Stubbs.
    “It’s really okay,” said Parker. “Look, I can stand on it.”
    “Careful!” shouted Stubbs. “You might do some damage.”
    “No, really,” said Parker. He jumped up and down on one foot, then the other.
    “That’s the fastest comeback I’ve ever seen,” said Stubbs, scratching his head. “Wait a minute! Parker, were you faking it?”
    “Yes, I was,” Parker admitted. “But, you see —”
    “Parker Nolan, I’m fed up with your —”
    “Please, Mr. Stubbs, this is no lie. I mean, there’s a reason I faked getting hurt. It’s for the good of the team, I swear.
     And I promise you, I’ll be able to explain everything if you just trust me. Besides, when they see me on my feet, everyone
     will think you’re a miracle worker,” said Parker. “All I ask is one favor, one tiny favor.”
    “I don’t care about credit for something I didn’t have anything to do with,” said Stubbs. He sighed. “Okay, Parker. Just tell
     me what’s on your mind.”
    “Well, uh, you know there’s been a lot of funny stuff going on lately,” said Parker.
    “What do you mean, ‘funny stuff’?” asked Stubbs.
    “I mean how we’ve been getting murdered out there by their defense. Seems like the last couple of games, they know our plays
     almost better than we do.”
    “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Parker. And on the other guys,” said Stubbs.
    “I mean it,” Parker insisted.
    He told Stubbs about seeing someone come out of the coach’s office with a camera and then run off.
    “That’s when we started losing so badly,” he pointed out. “Today, when we started changing signals at the line, you saw how
     it went.”
    Stubbs scratched his head.
    “You have a point there,” he admitted.
    “I also have a plan,” said Parker. “But there isn’t much time. All you have to do is stay behind that back row of lockers
     with me.”
    “That’s all? For how long? First half’s almost over. The guys’ll be pouring in here.”
    “It won’t be