“Our PR coordinator wants me to join them for the Tacoma Girls Flag Football Jamboree in a couple weeks,” I said. “They’re looking for about ten players to go out, and apparently, I’m on their list.”
“That’s awesome,” Kyle offered. “Why do you look like they just asked you to do team laundry?”
“Yeah. Riley and Zeke would be so proud of you if you attended,” Madelyn added. Riley and Zeke Collins were formerNBU teammates of ours, too. But as Riley was female, there wasn’t a chance for her to get drafted into the NFL like the rest of us.
And so, she and Zeke went another route, setting up a foundation that focused on young girls playing flag football and preparing them for careers in sports, whether as players, reporters, analysts, trainers, or whatever else they wanted to pursue.
So yeah, this would be right up their alley. The Tacoma Girls Flag Football Jamboree aligned with the broader mission to get girls’ flag football coded as a sanctioned sport. I’d be a coach, if I agreed. And I would.
Even if it meant…
“I’m excited for the event,” I said, though I was fairly certain my tone didn’t sell it. “I told them at the end of the season to let me know if there were ways I could get involved with the community. It’s just…”
“What?” Kyle probed when my voice faded.
It faded, because again, all I could think about, all I could see in my mind was Emily Huxley.
“Nothing.”
“Nuh-uh,” Madelyn argued immediately. “No lies in this house. Spill.”
I let out a heavy sigh. I loved Madelyn for my best friend. She was the swift kick in the ass he always needed.
But I was not a fan of that energy being pointed my way.
“The cheerleaders will be there.”
Kyle and Madelyn shared a look, and then Kyle deadpanned, “What a travesty.”
I glared at him. “Don’t be an ass.”
“Did I miss something? Why is that a bad thing?” Madelyn asked.
“It’s not,” I said, dragging a hand through my hair. “It’s just… there’s a new cheerleader who just made the squad and she’s kind of a pain in my ass.”
That was one way to put it. How else did I explain that she both intrigued me and infuriated me, all within the first hour of knowing she existed?
“How have you already met her?” Kyle asked.
“I volunteered to be there on finals day, when the squad was selected. I don’t know. I was bored,” I said instantly, knowing Kyle would ask why. “Plus, you know how Miss Woodrow can be. It was more of a voluntoldthan anything.”
Kyle nodded, knowing the truth in that statement.
“Anyway, this cheerleader is just… she’s trouble. One of those girls who learns the rules only so she can figure out how to break them.”
“I like her already,” Madelyn mused.
“I have a feelingyoulike her, too,” Kyle added. “Which is why you’re all weird about the event.”
“I’m not weird about it,” I defended, standing and tucking my phone away. I regretted saying anything about it — because now, I had yet another teammate to add to the list of people giving me shit right now. “I’m going. And I don’t like her. I’m annoyed by her.”
“I think you could use someone to ruffle your feathers a bit,” Kyle said. “Someone to get you off your yoga mat and out causing a ruckus.”
“Did you just sayruckus?” I asked.
“Don’t change the subject.”
“There’s nothing more to talk about,” I said, and I walked over to clap hands with Kyle before nodding at Madelyn. “I gotta run, but please don’t hesitate to call if you want me to get Sebastian out of the house or take him for a night or two. He’s always welcome at mine.”
