My chin jerks back. “Iwasenjoying the peace and quiet of the morning before the sound of your disgusting gagging ruined everything.”
Landon turns around and swings open his back seat, reaching inside to pull out his duffle. He doesn’t snap back with a retort, and his eyes won’t meet mine.
I should head out to the field and give him his space. The last thing I need is to fight with him before the big day. I have plays to go over, and I need to be in the right headspace.
But for some reason, it bothers me that I forgot about this. “Hey, I wasn’t judging. I’m just surprised you still puke when you’re nervous.”
He slings his bag over his shoulder, and stops in front of me. His eyes tighten as they look into mine. “Anxiety doesn’t just go away.”
“They have medication for that, don’t they?”
“It’s not a cure. I still get anxious from time to time, regardless of the meds.” He steps around me and makes his way toward the field.
Whatever, dude. Why am I even bothering?
I grab my things from my Jeep and follow Landon through the gate. We move around the field in silence, and set up our things along the sidelines.
I stick in my earbuds and slide my sunglasses into place before climbing the bleachers until I reach the top. I lower myself down and sit with my back against the metal fence, gazing out at the field.
First game of the season. We need to come out swinging, and show everyone why we were state champs last year. There’s more pressure on us to defend our title. One win and people chalk it up to beginner’s luck. Two wins though, it’s a streak.
The clouds give way to a sliver of sunlight, a singular ray streaking down onto the grass, and my lips tip up. Every once in a while, my father sends me a sign. Whether it’s in the form of a bird tapping on my window, or a song on the radio while I’m driving, I’m reminded of him and it fills me with warmth.
Miss you, Dad. Wish you were here.
My eyes skate toward Landon, sitting alone in a folding chair down below.
I was lucky to have the kind of father I did. He loved me, supported me, and was a positive light in my life. We were devastated when Mom died, but he didn’t let that stop us from living. I can’t imagine having Landon’s father, the kind of things he endured at the hands of a man who was supposed to love him unconditionally.
He didn’t deserve that.
Part of me, a part deep, deep inside me, wonders if things would’ve turned out different between us if?—
No.
It doesn’t matter. None of this does. High school is in the past, and so are the people we used to be. Just because Landon is back doesn’t mean we have to rehash everything that happened, or be friends.
I reach into the front of my hoodie and pull out my phone, clicking the volume higher until it drowns out my thoughts.
It’s game day.
Get focused, Morgan.
“Come on, ref! Are you serious?”
I stalk the sideline like a caged lion, eyes on the referee like he’s my prey. That’s the third foul called on us, yet none have been called on Lacey Township’s team, despite their blatant penalties.
It’s the first game of the season, and it’s to be expected that my team makes mistakes. But this ref isn’t making fair calls, and it’s hurting the scoreboard.
I cup my hands over my mouth. “That was offsides! Open your eyes. What are you doing out there?”
The ref doesn’t even spare me a glance.
“I know you hear me!”
Raymond jogs over, covering his mouth behind his clipboard as he talks to me. “You need to calm down.”
My eyes go wide. “This dude is all over us.”
