Chapter 1
Cooper
Sweat drips off the tip of my nose, my heart thudding in my chest like a racehorse. I feel like I’m on top of the world. A smile stretches across my face from ear to ear as a thrill settles in my bones.
There's something about the few practices before our first game of the season that gets my blood pumping, that gives me the biggest build-up.
I love football, it’s been part of my life for as long as I’ve been able to hold a ball. It might not be my dream to play professionally, but it’s still a highlight of my life.
This is my last year playing at Silver Valley University, and I want this season to be the best. I’m bringing my A-game, putting everything I have into it. I want to leave this school with a championship.
“That was one hell of a practice!” Coach shouts. “This year is looking to be one of the best. I don’t say this often, sure as hell don’t want to jinx it.” He leans over and knocks on the wooden bench, making the group of us chuckle. “But you’re looking to be a mighty fine group of men. Keep it up. Don’t let me down. Got it?”
“Got it, Coach!” We all shout back.
“Alright, get your sweaty asses out of here. See you tomorrow.”
Taking my helmet off, I shake out my shaggy blond hair. It’s drenched in sweat. I wrinkle my nose when I get a whiff of myself. Yeah, I need a shower, that’s for sure.
I jog over to the bench and grab my water bottle, downing half of it before I start to head toward the locker room.
“Novak,” Coach barks. I stop and turn to look at him. “Over here for a minute.”
“What’s up?” I ask as I walk over to him.
“We need to talk.” He steps up to me.
A grin stretches across my lips. “Are you breaking up with me?” I chuckle.
“What?” His brows furrow together, and I snort a laugh. He shakes his head. “Smartass,” he grumbles. “Look, I want to talk to you about your classes.”
“What about them?” I frown. We’ve only been back for two weeks. There’s no way I’m already failing them.
“Last year, you struggled in a few of your classes. You barely got by, passing by the skin of your teeth. This year, I want you to get a head start on things.”
“What do you mean? How can I get a head start on things I haven’t even learned yet?”
“Not like that. I think you would benefit from a tutor. Someone to help you as you go, keep you on top of your schoolwork so you don’t have the chance to fall behind.”
“Tutor?” My gut sinks. “I can’t afford a tutor.”
“There’s a few that volunteer, maybe they can help. Or, do you have any friends who can study with you?”
“What happens if I don’t get one? I could study harder on my own, too.”
He shakes his head. “This is your last year, Cooper. If you fall behind or fail a class this semester, you're not allowed back on the team in the new year.”
My lips part. Is he fucking kidding me? Football season ends in January. He seriously wouldn’t let me come back for one damn month?!
My good mood is gone in an instant. Coach has always been a hardass, but I’ve been on this team for the last four years. Why would he do this to me now?
“Hey, what did Coach say?” Brody, one of my old teammates, asks me. I look up to see him standing near the bleachers, his girlfriend, Ellie, wrapped up under his arm.
He graduated last year and took the job as the assistant coach.
Shoulders drooping, I walk over to them. “Pretty much that if I fail any of my classes, I’m not allowed to play next semester.”
“What the fuck?” Brody’s brows furrow, shooting a glaring look toward Coach’s back.
