“Good.” He takes off his glasses and walks halfway toward me. “But that’s not my concern.”
“Then what is?”
“You’re acting like the season is already over. Your focus needs to be sharper than ever. This is not the time to get distracted.”
“I’m not distracted. I need to study.”
“And on the soccer field earlier today. Was that younotdistracted?”
My jaw tightens. Even though I’d just accused her of distracting me minutes ago, I don’t like the insinuation from my dad that Lacey is harming my focus. She’s the only reason I’m still playing.
“My focus is just fine.”
“I hope so, Son,” he says in a gentler voice.
I’m too frustrated for it to do anything to calm me down. Fuming, I leave him staring after me as I head to my room, slamming the door behind me for good measure.
His words run in a loop through my mind as I pull out my homework and sit down to finish. I resent the idea that I’ve somehow taken my focus off soccer.
Just because his entire life revolves around the team doesn’t mean mine has to. I can still be the player I want to be and achieve the things I dream about and not let it rule every second of every day. I’m certain of it.
High School Bucket List
Make a high school memory box?
Go apple picking?
Get a piercing
Watch the sunrise from the fifty-yard line on the football field
Learn the “Thriller” dance!
Go on a double date
Stay up all night
Volunteer?
Travel internationally
Kiss someone under the stars?
Do something scary?
Go to the homecoming dance with a date
Go ice-skating
Photo shoot with friends
Go skinny-dipping
Take a road trip with Dad
Leave my mark on Frost Lake High
Chapter Twenty-five