“Thanks.”
I barely got the word out before she skipped away to her mom, leaving me alone to make decisions I wasn’t sure I could be trusted with.
I stared down at the items in my hand and gave myself a nod. Now if Emmie lost her hair tie, I would be prepared.
12
MATEO
“Blue eight! Blue eight!” I yelled, squatting down behind my center with my hands extended out and ready for the ball. Under my helmet, sweat trickled down the side of my face, eyes darting from side to side.
“Kill!”
Right on cue, the ball was hiked directly into my hands. I hopped up and back, head on a swivel as I scanned the field. My offensive line held back the opposing team, giving me time to find an open player.
I bounced on the balls of my feet, different plays and scenarios running through my mind as movement on the field changed. The main role of a quarterback was to move and adapt on the fly. The game plan could change five times in a span of three seconds, so I had to be able to think through different opportunities and setbacks and score for our team.
I darted around a few players headed straight for me, eyes seeking out Jake or Perry but both were outmanned. Seeing no other option, I tucked the football in the crook of myright arm and took off to the left where a small gap beckoned me.
Behind me, players clashed as my offense did their job at keeping me safe and in the clear. The end zone was only a few yards away, so I dodged a few players that reached out to stop me. I ran straight through for a touchdown.
Despite this only being practice, my team cheered. In a real game, they’d be over here doing their little dances. Everyone clapped my shoulders and back as I headed to the sideline.
I yanked my helmet off and shook my head, flinging my sweaty hair from my forehead. I grinned as Jake and Perry came over.
“Quick thinking with running the ball. Collins and Ruiz had me surrounded.” Perry shook his head but had a smirk. His cheeks were red and flushed from running plays for the last hour.
“Good job, man.” Jake clapped my shoulder. “I can feel another championship coming our way.”
My chest tightened at his words. I quickly shoved down the anxiety that filled my chest and forced a nod. “Yeah.”
“When are you set to cut this mop?” Jake asked Perry, pointing to the long blond hair that fell around Perry’s face.
“I’ll have you know, this hair could sell for thousands.” Perry tossed his locks over his shoulder dramatically.
“Yeah, I don’t know about that,” I tacked on.
“You guys are just haters. But per preseason tradition, I’ll be buzz cutting and donating my hair later this afternoon.”
A lot of athletes were superstitious, and Perry was one of them. He would grow his hair out the entire season and only cut it when preseason came back around. Now that we’d won The Legacy Championship, he was going to be even more insufferable about it.
“Thank god, you look unruly.” Jake smirked, which earned a shove from Perry.
I watched, silently wondering why I was friends with these two. Ironically, Perry and Jake were both two years older than me, and yet, I acted more mature—sometimes.
The sound of a whistle stole my attention. Coach stepped through the huddle of men, his bulky frame almost making him blend in with the team.
“Good practice, gentleman,” Coach Reggie said, his voice carrying across the field in a way that was both impressive and a bit intimidating.
“Our first preseason game is next Thursday. That means we only have one more practice before then. I expect everyone to show up Tuesday morning energized and ready to go over every single play.” Coach was a few feet ahead, but I still felt the intensity of his stare as if he were right in front of me.
“Yes, Coach,” we all echoed.
“I’ll be meeting with everyone separately from today until Wednesday morning to see who will be playing. Keep your phones on.”
I already knew I wasn’t playing. I’d be put in for the first fifteen minutes maybe, but the last thing anyone wanted was to injure starting players during a preseason game.
Plus, I was glad we already had a conversation a week ago—before I knew Emmie was his daughter. I couldn’t lie that I wasn’t on edge being around him. I told Emmie it didn’t matter that he was my coach and her father, but he was also someone I saw every other day.
