Pulling my helmet back on, I look up at Coach. “I’m good.”
He swings his gaze to Landon. “And you?”
Landon nods. “All good.”
“Ospreys on three!” Coach shouts.
We toss our hands into the pile, and scream at the top of our lungs. “One, two, three, Ospreys!”
My focus is razor-sharp as I take my position on the field. My breathing slows, and the noise of the stadium dulls to a low hum.
As soon as the ball is live, I leave my defender in the dust. Walker passes to Landon, and he takes it down to the end. He has no clear shot with the defense shoving him, swiping their sticks at his to knock the ball loose.
“Landon, now,” I shout, raising my stick.
I’m ready.
This is it.
If he passes to me, I can make the shot.
Come on, Fletcher. Don’t be stupid.
Landon runs from the defenders and snaps the ball into my pocket, quick and seamless. I don’t have time to be surprised. I spin around and launch the ball into the back of the net, giving the goalie no time to react or adjust his stance.
The stadium explodes, but I can still hear my father above everyone else. “That’s my girl!”
My eyes burn, but I blink away the tears.
“Do that again,” Coach shouts as we take our spots. “Work together.”
I don’t spare a glance at Landon. I keep my head down and wait for the draw. Adrenaline courses through my veins, knowing we’ve only got minutes left.
The ball snaps into the air, and I take off after it. I jump and swipe it out of the air, not giving it a second to touch the ground. But the other team is all over me. I don’t have an inch of space to move and make a play. I fake left and turn right, but someone shoves their stick against my chest. Hard. I stumble backward, the wind knocked out of me. The ball springs free as I fall onto the turf.
The ref doesn’t card the asshole who illegally shoved me. The game continues on, and I’m left behind, scrambling to get up while both teams fight for possession of the ball.
Motherfucker.
Once the other team realizes the ref isn’t calling penalties, their aggression ramps up for the rest of the quarter. I’m not strong enough to rough them up, but I’m faster on my feet and in my mind. I can outrun themandoutsmart them.
I call our last time-out, and the team huddles around me.
“We need to get the ball to Landon. Set up the play like he’s taking the shot, but then pass it to me at the last second.” I glance at Landon. “It won’t look like I’m ready, but I will be. Just trust me.”
His brown eyes harden on me.
I’ve obliterated his trust. I get that. But I know what I’m doing, and this plan is going to work.
Coach nods. “Make it happen. One more goal, and we’ve won this thing.”
We had back onto the field, and I crouch into position. When the ball flies through the air, I don’t make a run for it. I don’t beat everyone to the other side of the field. I hang back, acting like I’m completely gassed and can’t keep up. I let my defender think he’s got me.
Walker gets the ball to Landon, and he sets up to shoot.
From behind my defender, I watch him.
Landon looks around, searching for a better play, searching for someone who’s open. But no one is. Landon has to pass the ball to me, and take a chance that I’ll be able to catch it.
