“Did you fall in love with a murderer?” someone asks. Snickers and quiet laughter flutter through the team.
Alka smiles. “Not this time, but thank you for your confidence in my judgment of character.”
“Oh no. I have read a lot of prison romances, and they are H O T! Go get ‘em, Coach.”
More laughter.
“Yeah, okay. No on that. But thanks for… whatever that was. However, yes, I did meet someone, and true to fashion, they unexpectedly showed up again in my life.”
Beside me, Greer sighs. I can only imagine that he’sdisappointed it wasn’t him. How upset is he going to be that it’s me?
“I’m going to begin by telling you a few facts about this. One, he’s a student here. Two, he applied for a transfer before we met. Three, we met on Kala, and while we spent five wonderful weeks together getting to know each other, the three of us—” He glances back at Oscar, making sure the team knows who he’s talking about. “We realized far too late, literallyrightbefore running into each other on campus, that we left out some key information. Likewherehe was transferring.WhereI worked. I’m not sure if we were just too caught up in each other or thought we’d already given that information, but it was an accidental oversight.”
“He’s on the team, isn’t he?” someone to the left asks.
My heart jumps into my throat. I definitely don’t imagine a few people looking in my direction. I try to keep a passive expression, but I’m not sure I manage. I think I can feel the color draining from my face.
“He is,” Alka confirms. Murmurs break out as everyone looks at each other. This time, I know there are guys looking in my direction. No one forgot the first day of practice. I take a breath and hold it. “Once I realized it, I took a step back from my responsibilities and asked Coach Harper to step up instead. I think I’m a fair coach, but every year, I have favorites.”
There’s a gasp of mock horror.
“Yes, I choose my favorite kid every year,” Alka says, smirking, “but I never let that sway my judgment. We’re here to win. To grow as individual players and as a team. I always look at each and every one of you through that lens. I know this is a different situation, and even if I promise you that’s not what I’m going to do, I don’t blame you for innately feeling that way at times. That’s why I’ve pulled myself from all decision-making responsibilities as far as who plays when and where and all that concerned.” He waves his hand.
“It’s Roux, isn’t it?” Dorian asks.
I wince when the entire team looks at me. Do I have a guilty look?
I meet Alka’s eyes, but he doesn’t answer. He’s giving me the option to give myself up—a little late not to at this point—or just let the team know that he has a boyfriend on the team.
Taking a breath, I nod. “Yes. Me.”
There are a few whistles amongst the team. A couple loudwhoops. But I also don’t miss the irritated glances, the glares, or the way Jeff is looking at me like I just kicked his puppy.
Great.
“I’m going to reiterate that I’ve removed myself from being in any position to make biased decisions since the moment I realized what happened,” Alka reminds us. “Coach Harper is in charge.”
“But you’re still coach,” someone says. “That means you have the veto power.”
“Would it make you feel better if I stepped down entirely?” Alka asks.
“No,” one of the men on the bench says. He’s the shortest of the three there by far. He’s wearing a white tee, pearls, and glasses. He gets to his feet and looks at the team with a very mean mug. “What’s going to happen is you’re going to be adults about this and not throw a tantrum. I’m already seeing a lot of disgusting behavior in response, and you know what that says? You’re afraid of your own lack of skill and are going to use this as a reason you’re not earning the spot you want.”
“Zarek,” the blond man says, joining him. He places his hand on Zarek’s arm, but Zarek pulls it away.
“You’re adults now. Act like it. You want to start the game as a poletender, then fucking work your ass off and earn that position,” Zarek demands.
“You know that’s not a position,” Alka says as a couple guys groan in embarrassment. “Thank you for your support, but if there’s a problem?—”
“There’s not, Coach,” Dorian says as he gets to his feet and looks at the team. “Is there?”
I’m glad when I see three quarters of the team agreeing with him. I’m disheartened and a little hurt when I see one of the guys not agreeing is Jeff.
“Alright,” Alka says, clapping his hands together. “If you have more questions, you can talk to me after. Let’s get to practice.”
Harper steps forward and begins instructing us in what she wants.
“Names A through K, weak foot familiarization. The rest of you, offset cone shuffle,” Coach Harper says as Alka sits on the bench with the guys who came to support him.
