It had school colors, and written in big letters, it said, DIBS ON THE COACH.
I recognized in her the person I once was. A person who changed to be loved. The girl in me that was lost and scared and desperate. I stepped closer to her. “I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in trying to be enough that you lose your way.” I whispered to her. “It’s okay.”
I held my arms up, and Jessica closed the distance in the hug. I wondered if, at that moment, I was hugging a past version of myself more than Jessica. I knew it was time to forgive myself too, to move past my mistakes, and to keep trying. We are all human and make mistakes, but what matters is how we deal with them when they come.
As I stepped away from Jessica, I noticed Rose staring daggers at her.
“She might have forgiven you, but I haven’t.” Rose glared.
“Stop.” I chuckled. I loved my spicy friend. Marissa gave me a side hug.
“Okay, so here’s what we should do.” Brandy drew us all into a huddle. Even Dad.
Chapter Thirty-Six
ADAM
Ididn’t get to talk to Faith last night, but the day before, she said she was going to try to be here for the state championship game. I pried my hand away from my pocket, which held my phone.
I desperately wanted to check and see if she had texted or landed or, well, anything. But the boys deserved my full attention for now. We were currently up by four against the Mustangs, but with this game, that could change in an instant. I rubbed my hands together.
“All right, boys, that was a great half. I saw a lot of good communication.” I nodded toward the boys. “I’m proud of this team. I’m proud of you guys out there, win or lose.” I smiled at each of them. “But…since we have worked this hard,” I grinned, “we may as well try to win. Right?” The boys erupted into cheers. “Any pointers, Captain?”
Jacob leaned forward to see Connor. “Watch it in the key. The ref will keep calling for three seconds.” Then he looked to the other side. “Jackson, don’t be afraid to go for the layup if they double guard me.” He smiled. “Other than that, I’d say let’s make sure all those laps weren’t for nothing.”
The team cheered and huddled around the captain. “Eagles on three. One, two, three, Eagles!”
Danny came running around the corner into the locker room.
“There’s a tunnel!” He bounced on his toes, unable to keep the excitement in only his voice.
He reached for my hand and dragged me to the door. I peeked out the door to find the “tunnel” of people.
“Looks like the whole town is in that lineup.” I chuckled. “They came to support you today. Let’s give it our all.”
The boys yelled again and ran past me as I held the door open. Everyone was waving signs and pompoms and supporting our school’s colors.
This town was something else.
“You too, Coach,” someone hollered in my direction.
“And me!” Danny cheered.
“Oh, why not?” I took Danny’s hand and ran through the tunnel.
The smiling faces of a town I loved surrounded me. A town I was proud to be a part of. Even though it had been hit hard this last month, they were still here for each other. People who don’t live in small towns don’t know what they are missing.
At the end of the tunnel, waving a poster and cheering, was Faith.
My Faith.
I stopped, my heart picking up speed that my body refused to follow.
The sign said, DIBS ON THE COACH.
She came back. Faith came back. I shook my head and couldn’t stop my stupid grin.
“Ms. Faith!” Danny ran over to his teacher. “I knew you wouldn’t let Ms. Jessica be my teacher!”
