“Stop twinning,” Coach snapped as he stalked back to the visiting team’s office.
“You can’t play the next game,” Jett said quietly. “You fuck up your hand more, you fuck up your career.”
“I know. He knows that too; he’s just entertaining insanity,” I reasoned as I looked at the floor. “It does suck though.”
“You speak to Quinn before the game?” Jett asked as he kicked his feet onto the next bench.
“Yeah, she’s fine, back at her own apartment.”
“Good. Ava said Onyx was impressive but a complete dick to her.”
“Nothing new there,” I grunted.
“You going to talk to him about it?”
I looked toward the showers where I could hear the team discuss the game, but there were no loud voices or worse, punches. “I’m thinking he may come around when he realizes she’s not going anywhere.”
“I think you need to spell it out to him,” Jett said dryly as the team began to exit the showers. “Drill it home.”
“I know.”
On the bus home, we discussed the defeat in detail. Jamie, despite being a hothead, was a good captain for the defense, and he wasn’t shy about telling people where they failed. He was also honest enough to admit his own bad choices during the game. When the defense had been stripped down and analyzed, we moved onto the offense. By the time Jett was finished with Kowoski, I felt bad for him. However, as much as Jett liked to forget, the offense was not purely the quarterback. I picked up on the breakdown of the rest of the offense when Jett finally took a breath. Coach listened to us throughout; he always had. He wouldhear what the players thought they did wrong, and then on Monday, he would smash our beliefs to pieces as he told the team what they actually did wrong.
When we finally reached the stadium, I was glad to be off the bus, and those of us who lived in the football house headed home in silence.
“How’s the hand?” Jamie asked as we approached the front door to the house.
“I’m still out for the regular season,” I told him.
I heard six despondent sighs and held back my own. “Pity,” Jamie said as he unlocked the door.
As one, we walked to the kitchen, and I grinned when I saw the breakfast bar filled with food. Jett walked over and picked the note up.
“Sorry for the loss, you’re still the best. Fridge is full, eat up!” He grinned at us all. “Quinn and Ava.”
“Your girls are too kind,” Ben said eagerly as he walked toward the food. “It’s still cold, they must have just left.”
And just like that, their spirits were lifted. Ben called some of the other guys, and then they were all eating and drinking together.
Pulling my phone out, I texted Quinn.
Me:This is really appreciated, it’s exactly what the team needs.
Quinn:Don’t tell them it’s all healthy
Me:See you at yours later?
Quinn:Where else would you be?
She sent the wink emoji, and I grinned as I shoved my phone in my back pocket.
As I reached for a chicken wrap, I saw Jett put his phone away as more of the team arrived to share the food.
“It must have taken them a while,” Ash said as he ate some chips.
“It’s needed,” Jett said quietly. “Look at the difference, one defeat and we were ready to roll over.”
“Good thing you converted the little lion,” Ash said as he nudged Jett with his shoulder.
