Flipping the page over, I stare down at it, stunned.
Short and sweet.I like his style.
Running my finger lightly across the handwriting, I bring the note to my chest, beaming.
Having a fake boyfriend isawesome.
8
ZAYDEN
MOST DAYS, I LOVE PRACTICE.
It grounds me.Keeps me focused.Makes me feel great because I work hard and feel like I’m truly achieving something.
Then there are days like this where I just want to fall into a heap and pretend that I don’t exist, so everyone can leave me the hell alone.My muscles complain as I push myself further, running harder and faster.Sweat stings my eyes, and I swipe my face in irritation.
I wasn’t in a bad mood before.In fact, I’d been in a pretty great mood after my time with Nora.It wasn’t until I got here and saw Leasa and her bandwagon of friends hovering on the sidelines again.I’m over this.It might be time to confront her, because I don’t have the time and energy for her hanging around.I have her blocked on everything, so it’d make sense seeing me in person to try to communicate, but she doesn’t even do that.She just keeps turning up everywhere I go, like a weird stalker.
‘Zayden.’
Lifting my head, I see Coach Kennedy glaring at me.‘Yes, Coach?’
He clears his throat, gesturing beside me.I turn, realising everyone has continued the sprints, whereas I’ve stopped to glower at the group on the sidelines.I was so in my own thoughts, I’d sort of forgotten for a second what I was supposed to be doing.
‘Little distracting having groupies, is it?’he barks at me, bits of spit flying from the corners of his mouth.
‘Sorry, Coach.’
‘Double sprints, Zayden.’
‘Fuuuuck,’ I grumble, scowling.
‘What was that?’he asks, stepping towards me, and the gazes of my teammates swing towards us both as everyone becomes deafeningly silent.Shit.That wasn’t supposed to come out.You donottalk back to Coach, ever.
‘Nothing.’
‘My office, once you’re finished.’
That tone never means anything good.
Biting my tongue, I continue the sprints.I refuse to give into the anger rearing its ugly head inside me when the rest of my team is dismissed, while I’m stuck sprinting in thirty-degree heat.Mason shoots me a sympathetic look before jogging off with the others.Gritting my teeth, I push forward, hoping that this will be over and done with soon enough.I’m over training today.
Retiring to the locker room, I peel my sweaty clothes off and step into the shower.Leaning heavily against the tiles, I let the water wash over me.I spend a little longer than I should in there, delaying the inevitable conversation I’m about to have with Coach.
I like Coach Kennedy.He’s fair and knows what he’s talking about.He’s experienced, works us hard, and gets results.I’ve always gotten along well with him and have been cautious to never get on his bad side, but I fear I may be teetering close to achieving that right now.
I tap my knuckles against his office door a few minutes later before pushing it open.Coach is seated behind his desk, scribbling down something in his notebook.He doesn’t look up as I enter.Quietly sighing, I walk over to him and drop down onto theseat opposite, a sour taste building in my mouth, dreading what is to come.
‘Zayden,’ he says in that deep, no-bullshit voice of his that has the ability to command attention from anyone in his vicinity.
‘Coach.’
His eyes meet mine, and I swallow, not liking the hard expression on his face.I’ve always shown up to practice, always been on time, and always delivered.I’ve been a Grade A player for him, but I know what’s coming.It’s been building for a while.
‘You know why you’re here?’he asks, leaning back in his chair, fixing me with a narrowed stare that has me bristling.
‘I have an idea.’
