Levi winced. “Ouch,” he said, this time out loud. “Tommy…”he added, but Levi wasn’t sure what to say next.
“It’s not just a reduced budget for the debate team,” Tommy continued. “We used to partner with the middle school teachers to do a fall play and a spring musical. He dropped it down to one production a year. Speaking of music? Did you see there will no longer be a stipend for early-morning choir rehearsals at the elementary school? That means there’s either no choir, or the music teacher has to do it on a volunteer basis.” He scrubbed a hand across his jaw. “How are you not pissed about the soccer program?”
Levi’s expression fell. “Tommy…” he said again. “I don’t know this school or these kids, not anymore. How am I supposed to react?”
Tommy shrugged. “Like you’re not another one of my father’s yes-men. That would be a start.”
Except that’s exactly who Levi was. He didn’t have a choice. Levi’s possible reinstatement hung in the balance. Any wrong move could tip the scale against him. But any argument or explanation of his sentencing right now would only make Levi look more selfish than he already felt.
“I’m sorry, Tommy,” he told his friend. “I really am. But I’m not sure what else I can do.”
Tommy pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded. “Yeah. Me neither. And to your earlier question? No. I’m not heading to the pregame rally.”
Levi sighed. “I get where you’re coming from. But the kids who will be out on that field tonight? They didn’t do anything wrong by choosing to play the game. Same goes for the ones inthe stands who are supporting them. Some of them are your students, right?”
Tommy responded with a resigned nod.
Levi strode to where his friend stood and clapped him on the shoulder. “Then maybe support the kids you can right now until we figure out our next move.”
Tommy’s eyes widened. “Where the hell did that little nugget of wisdom come from?” he asked with a half-hearted laugh.
Levi lifted one shoulder. “Honestly? I’m not sure. But it was pretty impressive, wasn’t it?”
This got him a genuine smile. “Yeah, Five-Oh-One. I guess it was.”
Levi blew out a relieved breath. “Good, because I wasn’t sure I could take two of my favorite people thinking I was a piece of shit.” He raised his brows. “So… See you in the bleachers?” He started backing toward the door.
Tommy shook his head ruefully. “Maybe,” he replied. “Won’t it be weird for you to watch from the stands?”
Levi stopped and smacked his palm against the doorframe. “So freaking weird,” he admitted. “But less so if my buddy’s there.”
Tommy groaned. “Fine. I’ll be out there soon.” Just as Levi was about to pivot and head back out, his friend added, “Hey…what do you mean about two of your favorite people thinking you’re a piece of shit?”
Levi held up his hands as if he had no idea what Tommy wastalking about. “Later, Commissioner!” he called out and then spun on his heel and left.
Because what the hell did he mean by that?
Chapter 9
“Ms. Martin, we are about to start our pregame practice. Feel freeto make an appointment with my assistant during office hours next week.”
Principal Crawford turned back to the field where the marching band played what Haddie guessed was the Muskies fight song while cheerleaders were tossed into the air and, thankfully, caught by those standing below.
“I just want to discuss these budget cuts and some possible scenarios that might let Summertown keep its soccer program.” Haddie refused to be dismissed, even though she knew they weren’t going to solve anything during a pep rally. Would this be a mark on some secret checklist Principal Crawford might use to pink-slip her at the end of the year? Maybe. But as much as she wanted to keep her job, she wanted to earn and keep her team’s trust that much more.
The principal sighed but kept his eyes on the field. “Come up with an alternate scenario first, Ms. Martin. And then we’ll talk.”
“Really?” Haddie bounced on her heels, unable to bite back her grin. She’d pounded a tiny dent into his armor. Even if it was barelyprogress, it was something.
“Really,” he relented.
“Okay!” she replied. “I will. And then I’ll make an appointment, and…and we’ll talk. About scenarios. And soccer.” She was beaming. She couldn’t help it. It was a glimmer of hope, and she was going to hang on to it. The school year had just begun. So much could change before summer came around again. And even though no players had taken the field yet, she already considered the night a win.
Principal Crawford glanced in her direction and raised a brow. “Does that mean I can blow my whistle now and start warm-ups?”
Haddie nodded. “Of course. Absolutely. Warm-ups. And I will talk to you next week!” She bounded in the opposite direction, heading back to where she’d left Emma and Matteo in the stands. Only, when she got to their section of the home team bleachers, she found Emma, Matteo, and Levi waiting for her.
“You know what?” she said, backing away from their row as quickly as she’d approached. “I’m in the mood for a hot pretzel. Who wants a pretzel, because pretzels are on me?” Except she didn’t wait for anyone to respond. Instead she jogged down the bleacher steps, onto the pavement, and continued back around the stands to where the concession booth was.
