“Look,” Lo said, clearing her throat and putting her arm around my shoulder. “Dean is complicated. I love my brother, but he can definitely be an idiot at times. Most dudes are. I love the fact he’s happy right now, and if he needs Mack’s Summer Playbook to help him with whatever is in his head, then I’m game for it. We’re here to talk about our agenda, and was my brother on there?”
I loved that she was standing up for her brother.
“No, but I have the right to add anything as the secretary. It’s in our guidebook.”
Lo rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine, but I have the right to veto it since I’m still chief this month, yeah?”
I snorted. “We’re solame,and I honestly love it. Who else makes rules about meeting? We do. Totally dorks.”
“Oh for sure. My mom thinks this is hilarious and asks me about it every Wednesday. I’m proud of how consistently we’ve done this and stuck to our goofy rules.” Vee winked and kneed me under the table, softly. “Mack, I love that you’re going outside your comfort zone, and it makes me so happy to see the little mischief twinkle in your eye. If Dean is helping with it, then so be it, but be careful. His playbook is one-night stands and yours is love.”
“Mm, I don’t know if its love,” I said, my brain whisperingliar.“I’m also not interested in catching anything before senior year. I don’t have time forloveor feelings, to be honest.”
“No one has time for it. It’s exhausting and takes work,” Vee said, laughing. “But it’s not exactly your choice if you fall for someone. As much as I wish we could control feelings and tell them to calm the hell down, we can’t. So, be careful. That’s all I’m saying. I don’t want my girl hurt.”
“I’m fine. I won’t be hurt.” I forced a smile and thought of the way Dean said thank you as he left last night and the fact he hadn’t reached out today. We agreed on the summer, but every day felt like it was the last. “Now, can we talk about the tattoos we’re going to get?”
“Yes!” Lo leaned forward, pulling out a sheet of paper. She’d scribbled some designs, and I wanted to hug her. We’d have to have a conversation about her brother at some point, but I’d rather wait.
Because if Dean and I were going to part ways in a few weeks, was it even worth it to mention it to her? Nothing would change. With as much effort as possible, I shoved thoughts of Dean away and focused on my teammates. They were easier to deal with than my growing feelings for the complicated quarterback.
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
Dean
“Romano, over here.”
Coach jutted his chin, and I jogged toward him at the end of the field. He had me and the backup QBs run some plays and watch film to analyze, and the others had already headed out. Brady was gunning for the starting spot, just waiting for me to mess up and get injured, but it was Jayden who I thought was the next starter. He was a sophomore, but he carried himself the way a QB should. He led with his brain, not his feelings, and wasn’t afraid to make a snap decision.
“What’s up, Coach?” I rested my hands on my hips, breathing in the smell of summer. Humidity, grass, sweat and sunscreen. Throw in a little stale gear and it was the perfect combination. Nostalgic in a way too.
“I’ve been around a while.”
“You’re not that old.”
He laughed, the deep sound echoing off the empty field. Heclapped my shoulder before his face returned to his normal expression: hard lines on his forehead from years of squinting into the sun, eyes so blue they looked like ice, and a mustache that moved when he spoke. Coach Benson was tough as shit, and everyone in the Midwest wanted to play for him. “Thank you, but not what I was going for. My wife keeps me young.”
I smiled and rocked back on my heels. Things were going well this summer, and my stats last year were great. Agents couldn’t talk to me until after our last game, but enough had been around and at games that I was confident I’d find representation before entering the draft. I had my eye on two in particular who fought hard for deals and took care of the athletes. But that meant I had to have a hell of a senior year and continue my stats.And not be distracted.
Jessica’s face, followed by Mack’s, entered my mind, and I cleared my throat to get rid of them. This was not the moment.
Coach narrowed his hard eyes, taking his time staring before he nodded. “I want you to pick the captain this year.”
“Wait. What?” My jaw hardened.
“You heard me. I wantyouto think about who should be captain this year. Being the captain means different things to different people, and we both know you’re the leader on the team. You lead, they follow. You’ve had that swagger since freshman year, son, and it’s not going away. My job is to win championships, prepare men for what’s next, and to build a community.”
My stomach bottomed out at the thought of not being the captain myself. It wasn’t something I dreamed about or thought about often. It was kind of assumed I would be, and that was on me. Nothing in life was handed to you, so there was no reason I should’ve expected. Coach had captains keep an eye on everyone and call people out when they weren’t following oneof our core values: integrity, passion, and teamwork. Was it a hit to my pride not being offered the role?
A sting, not a hit.
“Okay, Coach. I’ll think about it.” I nodded, unwilling to show my internal reaction. “We have some good options.”
“You’re not upset?”
“Coach, if you think this is best, then I’m on board. I’m leading the team regardless, and if being the C helps boost another player, then I’m for it.” I nodded, closing my eyes as I smiled. “That’s it, huh? The responsibility of the letter, and the pride, will help another player more than it will me.”
