Maisey scowls at her.
Scowls.
Maisey.
Charlotte doesn’t seem offended. She sucks in one of her cheeks like she’s trying not to smile, then turns to someone on her other side.
Conversations keep rolling all around the room. Most of my players are in pretty good spirits. Their parents too. We talked a lot after the game about how great it was to get this far.
They know.
They get it.
I’m about to agree with Maisey that June’s been gone too long to not be checked on when she reemerges from the bathroom, eyes downcast, cheeks pink.
Maisey’s half out of her chair faster than I am.
Several of the kids notice. Parents too.
I know June’s supposed to hang out with Abigail at her house tonight. Half the team is. But there’s no mistaking the look on either of their faces.
Maisey grabs her coat.
June heads for the door, so Maisey grabs June’s coat too.
She doesn’t look at me.
Neither of them do.
Fuck.
And notFuck, I’m not getting laid tonight.
This is pureFuck, one of my kids feels shitty.
“Right back,” I mutter to Kory.
“Take your time. Don’t cut her hair again.”
I don’t know all of what my face telegraphs to him, but he grins way too widely in response.
The parking lot’s well lit, so it’s easy to see Maisey and June hunched over against the wind as they cross the pavement quickly. I stride even quicker, and I catch up to them as they reach their truck.
“Hey,” I say.
Both of them turn to look at me.
June has two inches on Maisey, but she’s slouching so they’re basically the same height. Maisey’s eyes flair like she wants to know what thefuckI’m thinking talking to them alone. June’s shoulders visibly stiffen like they normally do anytime I talk to her.
“Yes, Coach?” June says tightly.
“You know you’re the reason the team went as far as they did, don’t you?”
Huh. Parking lot lamps really exaggerate teenage eye rolls.
I squat enough to get down to her eye level, because this is important.
“You know what every team needs to succeed? It needsheart. It needsbelief. You think you stood on the sidelines most of the season and didn’t do anything, but the truth is, you were the glue holding the team together.”
