“Can we participate in the dodgeball tournament?” Cody asks.
He’s now one of my least favorite players. Can I make him do suicides for the remainder of practice? Pressing my lips together, I stare at him.
The thing is, I don’t truly have a reason besides I don’t want to support or encourage Hansley in any way. Besides, I can’t tell them that.
“All the proceeds we bring in will go to the football team,” Cody says.
“I’d love to sign up for the date auction,” Adam pipes up.
“Definitely though I’m bummed about some of the restrictions,” Peyton laments.
“Which restrictions?” Collin asks.
“The age restriction and the one where staff cannot bid on a student,” he answers, his eyes meeting mine again.
Winston snickers, shoving him. “You’re not subtle, dude.”
I look at Norman. He knows I don’t want them doing these things. None of the ones that the other coaches organized. But I grudgingly recognize that it’s segregating my kids unnecessarily and I don’t want them to feel singled out for any reason.
The thing I love most about Rainbow Dorset is the lack of segregation in anything. There’s a wide rainbow of diversity everywhere. It spans everything from culture, creed, gender, sexuality, disabilities… and the list continues. I love this school for that reason more than any other.
Being the one responsible for creating that divide is not what I want to leave behind.
Taking a breath to swallow the bad taste in my mouth, I nod. “You may. However, I don’t want you to let it interfere with your studies, the team, or your efforts on our own fundraisers.”
“Are we going to do a community fundraiser too?” Forest asks.
“What do you mean?”
“All the other teams came up with a fundraiser for the entire athletic department to participate in. Dodgeball and dating are from hockey. Oh, and the teacher sponsors program. Men’s soccer is putting on the give it up challenge. Women’s lacrosseis hosting a pledge challenge. Field hockey is doing a cute baby picture challenge,” Forest answers.
“Women’s soccer is doing the community classes,” Adam adds.
I frown and look at Norman. He gives me a look that I know too well.This has all been covered in your email.
“What do you have in mind?” Norman asks the team.
There’s a minute where they’re all talking at once, shouting ideas and possibilities. I’m surprised. I had no idea that they wanted to do this kind of thing.
“Okay, okay,” Norman calls out, laughing. “We appreciate your enthusiasm. Email Coach—copying me, you know the rules—with your ideas and we’ll discuss them.”
I nod my agreement. As the idea settles over me, I decide that we’re going to put on the best community fundraiser. It’ll blow all the others away.
“Good. Anything else before we get started?” I ask.
“I think there should be an auction date with a teacher,” Peyton says offhandedly.
Norman sighs. “Peyton,” he warns.
Peyton grins. “Ready for practice, Coach.”
Norman looks at me and I grin. Peyton never ceases to make me smile. “Then let’s get to it. Time to double down. We will make it to finals this year!”
Even though my coaching staff thinks I’m putting a lot of pressure on my team with this, they cheer. They’re excited. We’ve had two games so far and have won them both. We’re performing strongly. There’s determination in their faces. Drive in their moves.
This is our year.
CHAPTER 8
