Coach Miller takes a seat behind her desk and when she meets my questioning stare, her face remains unreadable. “I assume you know why I’ve called this meeting?”
“No, ma’am.” The only thing I know is that she didn’t bring me here to discuss the team captaincy.
She sighs and leans back in her chair, disappointment radiating from her pores. “It’s my understanding, Miss Cruz, that last week when Coach Collins graciously allowed us to use the football facilities, you returned the favor by putting itching powder in his players’ jock straps.”
Coño.
How does she know about that? I didn’t tell anyone. Not even Maddie.
Heat floods my cheeks and I know I must look guilty as sin.
If the leotard fits...
Okay, fine, but I didn’t expect to get caught.
Which, apparently, was my first mistake.
“Don’t bother denying it,” she continues. “Coach Collins brought me video footage so I could identify the culprit sneaking into the football team locker room. Your face is clear as day on the film.”
Me cago en ná. I should’ve known the football building would have cameras everywhere. Their program has more funding than they know what to do with, while the gymnastics program is limping along.
Hell, we’re lucky to have cameras on the exterior of our building.
So not the point.
And the point is?
I need to find a way out of this mess—fast.
“I’m sorry, Coach. It was a silly prank and I shouldn’t have done it.”
“You’re damn right you shouldn’t have done it. What the hell were you thinking?”
That Parker and the rest of the football goons deserved to be knocked down a few pegs.
But I know better than to saythataloud.
“I—” I swallow. “I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
If I had been, I’d have been looking for cameras. Or, you know, worn a hoodie.
“Do you have any idea how serious this is?” She leans forward, folding her hands on the desk. “A stunt like this doesn’t just reflect poorly on you, Miss Cruz. It reflects poorly on my program.”
Guilt floods my chest, and my shoulders curl in because she’s right. I didn’t stop to think about how my actions would affect the team or the coaching staff. I didn’t stop to think beyondmyanger,mypain.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Certainly not the behavior of a team captain.
“You’re supposed to be a leader on this team.” Coach sighs. “I expected more from you.”
And there it is, the gut punch.
“You’re lucky none of those young men had an allergic reaction.” She frowns, worry lines forming in her brow. “A stunt like this could get you expelled.”
Expelled?
My chest tightens, and for an instant, it’s impossible to breathe past the fear clogging my throat.
