Chapter Twenty-Two
Tommy didn’t realize he was practically skipping around the practice field the next day until Jonny called him out on it.
“Something put a little jump in your step, there, Tom?” He asked with a wicked gleam in his eye and a smirk on his lips.
“Just a beautiful day, Jonny, is all,” Tommy said, placing his hands in his pockets and whistling as he walked toward him.
“A good night with the missus?”
“Something like that,” Tommy said with a laugh. “But I don’t kiss and tell.”
He saw Colin and Rhys across the field, deep in conversation as they pointed around them, likely about some play they were planning.
“Feel like playing a little game, Jonny?”
“Isn’t that what we always do?”
“Yeah, but this one is more about having a little fun.”
Jonny caught his eye, understanding that there was more to it than just a bit of football.
“I could be persuaded.”
“Rhys is going to describe a play to all of us once we all gather round.”
“Likely.”
“When he gives us all direction, do the exact opposite of what he says. If he tells you to go right, go left. If he says pass forward, then pass backward. Help me tell all the other men — except Colin, as he’s become too serious about all of this lately.”
Jonny looked at him with laughter in his eyes.
“You are diabolical.”
“I know. It’s part of my charm.”
Tommy and Jonny began circulating through the players, trying to tell them as surreptitiously as possible what they were doing. They all wore expressions of innocence when they lined up and listened to Rhys explain the play. Tommy noticed Hardy and Felix almost break into grins, but he gave them a small shake of his head to discourage them.
“All right, men, let’s practice this,” Rhys said, and they spread out into their positions. When Rhys put his fingers into his mouth and blew out a whistle, they all started running forward, opposite to where Rhys had told them. Tommy took a quick look behind him to see Rhys standing in the middle of the field with the ball, Colin on the opposite end near the goal. They wore matching expressions of confusion as they stared at the field before them.
Rhys finally shook his head, blowing out a whistle again.
“Everybody in!” he called out, and they all slowly ran toward him. “Hustle up!” he encouraged them until they were all standing in a semi-circle.
“Did no one listen to instructions?” he said, pacing back and forth, arms behind his back and brow furrowed. “You were all going backwards!”
“We were all doing what you told us to, Rhys,” Tommy said, scratching his forehead as though confused.
“That isnotwhat I said,” Rhys replied, his brow furrowing even deeper.
“Pretty sure you did,” Jonny said. “Right, Felix?”
“Yep,” Felix said, although when trying to disguise his laugh, he let out a noise that was half-cough, half-hiccup.
Rhys was no dummy and picked up on it, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at them all, one at a time, waiting for one of them to break. Colin, having known Tommy for years, was already looking at him, shaking his head.
“Do you all think this is funny?” Rhys asked through tight lips.
“Not sure what you mean, Rhys,” Tommy said, but it was too late. Some of the men were already beginning to crack.
