My heart stutters, and warmth rushes over me. “I think I’d like that too.”
A wide smile sweeps over his face, and he leans in close. “I’ve always been proud of you for your achievements. You’re an incredible force of a human, and now everyone in this stadium knows it too.”
I never thought I’d say it, but feels good to be on the same team as Landon, instead of competing against him. With our past behind us, and our issues resolved, I’m excited to enjoy the now.
Regardless of what the future brings.
Chapter 35
Landon
“Ospreys on three!”
My team piles their hands in the center of our huddle, but their energy is lacking and I’m the only one who shoutsOspreys.
“Come on, guys. I know you’re upset about Jayden not being part of our team anymore, but we only have a couple of tournament games left this year to get through.” The tournaments are similar to the playoffs for varsity, but there’s no state title for JV. “These final games are supposed to be fun, and to show all you have learned this season.”
Still, I’d love to win.
No one responds as the girls drag their feet onto the field and take their positions. But as soon as the whistle blows, they all drop their sticks onto the grass and cross their arms over their chests.
Oh, no.
The opposing team continues running for a few seconds until they realize no one’s chasing them.
The ref’s whistle blows again. “Ospreys, what are we doing?”
My stomach ties itself into a knot as I glance at Quinn. She jerks her head. “Get out there.”
I jog onto the field and head for Shreeya. “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes dart to her teammates as she chews on her bottom lip. “We’re, uh, refusing to play.”
My eyebrows hit my hairline. “Why?”
Hannah jogs over from the goalie box. “Jayden should be here, and we don’t want to play if Ainsley isn’t allowed back at school.”
“Ah.” I nod, glancing at the bleachers as the parents make their way down to the field. “I get it, I really do. And I love that you’re doing this together. But we only have two more games and then?—”
“We’re not playing, Coach.” Hannah crosses her arms. “We’re taking a stand.”
The referee looks at me. “If they don’t play, it’s a forfeit.”
“Understood.” I heave a sigh, and turn to face the parents. “Ospreys forfeit the game.”
I can’t force them to play, and even if I could, they wouldn’t play to their best abilities.
Confusion ripples through the crowd.
Hannah’s mother steps forward. “Why are they doing this?”
“We stand with Jayden,” Hannah shouts. “And we want justice for Coach Ainsley.”
The team echoes her, and they start chanting. “We stand with Jayden! Justice for Coach Ainsley!”
I chew the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling. I don’t condone forfeiting a game, but this is for a pretty good cause. And it’s important for them to know the power they possess when they work together.
Mrs. Brennan scoffs. “Ainsley isn’t even our coach. Why are we forfeiting a game because of her?”
