Somewhere, over a radio, a voice says. ‘Coach, we’re ready. Don’t seem to have a team out here.’
Coach Holland punches the air furiously, then hollers at the top of his voice, ‘Somebody git me Samantha Conway!’
Hud Briar nudges me. ‘Here comes the cavalry.’
I glance up. Right on cue, Samantha Conway comes marching down the tunnel in her pant suit at triple speed, her face like thunder, the base of her neck bright red.
‘What the hell is going on?’ she hollers angrily. ‘Why the hell aren’t y’all on that field?’
She takes in the scene. Despite me wearing a whole lotta padding, I straighten my back and push out my chest.
‘They’re not moving,’ Coach Holland confirms in defeat.
Samantha Conway explodes. ‘What do you mean, not moving? The cameras are already rolling! The commentary is already gonna be questioning why there is only one team on the field.’ She points a bony finger. ‘Dalton Briar, you’d better get your team’s asses out there,right now!’
Behind her, the CMC cheerleaders come down the tunnel, ushered by Kathleen Lafferty, also mad as hell. Some of them have already gotten dressed again.
I take a step forward toward her. ‘I think you know what we want, ma’am.’
Sam Conway looks me over, her brows forming deep frown lines. ‘You arrogant son of a bitch. You cannot hold me to ransom. How dare you?’
I push my tongue into my cheek. Every single cheerleader is looking my way, waiting. ‘Seems the clock is ticking, ma’am.’
Sam Conway glances back at the group of women waiting on her response. ‘No. I will not give Serenity her job back,’ she clips.
‘Then we’re not moving. Until you do.’
I can almost feel the heat of her fury coming off her face. ‘You’re not thinking straight. You’re thinking with what’s in your pants. Not with your head.’
‘Actually, it’s neither of those things. I’m going with my heart.’
‘You’re insane.’
I glance back at my comrades. ‘No ma’am. I’m a Mutineer. And this is a mutiny.’
Noises of approval ripple through my teammates.
‘I’ll fine you all,’ Sam Conway breathes. ‘I’ll cancel all your contracts.’
‘What are you gonna do without a single player on your roster?’
For the first time in her life, I think I might have rendered Samantha Conway speechless.
‘Give Serenity her job back,’ I continue. ‘Give all the CMC a raise. Remove clause five from the CMC contract. Do those things, and we’ll move.’
I watch her chest rise and fall. She glares at me, a crazed look in her eye. Like she’s being squeezed on the inside. Two suited officials – maybe from the NFL – have come racing down here to find out what’s causing the delay.
‘Fine,’ she finally snaps, through gritted teeth, poking another angry finger in my face. ‘Serenity may rejoin the squad. I will give them all a reasonable raise. But, clause five stands. These girls are untouchable for a reason; I won’t drop that rule. But if you marry Miss Harper, then I’ll let it slide on this occasion.’
I feel my brow creep up my forehead. ‘What?’
‘You heard me. Marry her.’
‘Sh-She’s not here, I can’t ask her.’
‘Then somebody get a phone!’ Samatha snaps back.
‘She’sherrrrre!’ I hear a voice shriek from the back of the cheerleaders. I look up. Bodies move aside, the ladies all grinning in one direction.
