“Thanks,” I say simply. “I appreciate that.”
Ford gives me a look that says,See? Told you so.
But then, just as I’m starting to feel like things are finally falling into place, Patrick steps forward. His expression is tight, his jaw clenched like he’s been sucking on lemons.
“You got lucky,” he mutters, loud enough for everyone to hear. “One good shot doesn’t mean you belong here.”
The locker room goes dead silent.
Jacob bristles beside me, his fists clenching. “What the hell’s your problem, Patrick?”
Patrick sneers. “This isn’t some feel-good story, man. She’s not one of us, and she never will be.”
The words hit harder than I expect, but I square my shoulders and meet his glare head-on. I’ve dealt with worse than him before.
Before I can respond, though, Coach Woosley steps into the room, his gaze sharp as a razor. “Patrick.”
Patrick stiffens, but he doesn’t back down. “I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking.”
Coach crosses his arms, his expression unreadable. “If we’re not a unit, we’re nothing. And right now, you’re the only one causing division.”
Patrick opens his mouth to argue, but Coach cuts him off. “You’re off the team.”
The room erupts in whispers, but Coach silences them with a look.
“Pack your stuff and get out,” Coach says firmly. “We don’t have room for selfish players.”
Patrick glares at me one last time before storming out, his footsteps heavy and angry. The door slams behind him, leaving an eerie silence in his wake.
I exhale, the tension in my chest finally loosening.
“Well,” Jacob mutters, breaking the silence. “Good riddance.”
Ford grins, clapping me on the back. “Guess we know who’s buying the first round tonight.”
I laugh, the sound lighter than it’s been in a long time. “You guys are the worst.”
“And you love us,” Ford shoots back, winking.
I roll my eyes but can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. For the first time since joining the team, I feel like I really belong.
As we finish changing and head out of the locker room together, the weight of the season no longer feels so heavy. We’ve still got a long way to go, but tonight?
Tonight, we celebrate.
Chapter 36
Matthew
The smell of fresh brewed coffee fills the kitchen, mixing with the soft morning light slipping through the windows. It’s quiet, but not in an awkward way—just peaceful. The kind of peace that comes after something big, like the win my girl got last night.
Said win still feels unreal. Dylan nailed the shot, and the rush of the crowd, the adrenaline, the pride… it’s all still buzzing through me. I glance across the table at her, looking too beautiful for someone who barely got any sleep. She’s curled into her chair, her legs draped over Ford’s lap, sipping her coffee with a satisfied grin that hasn’t left her face since last night. She deserves it. Hell, she earned every bit of it.
Jacob’s beside me, laughing with Ford about something stupid. I swear these two could turn any conversation into a joke or something dirty. I let their voices wash over as I lean back with my mug, savoring the feeling of everything being right.
“So what did it feel like to coach your first college game and win?” Ford asks.
“Amazing. It was only pre-season, but it was a good starter to take the edge off, ya know?”
