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“Given that the Dastards experienced a mid-season team ownership and head coach change, a lot of folks wrote us off for this year’s championship,” a woman from off-screen said. “Now that we’ve made it to the finals, what do you have to say to our doubters?”
The coach shrugged. “Well, I can’t exactly blame anyone for having doubts. The team has been through a lot this season. Those changes aren’t something most players could pull through. But this team, Christenson in particular, work for the game and they work together. It was all happenstance that I landed with this team, but it’s every coach’s dream to get players like this, ones who know how to work together on and off the field.”
The camera then cuts to the team’s goalkeeper, Olli Kean, a tall white man standing by the net.
“Kean, how many goals do you think Tacoma’ll get past you at the championship game?” the off-screen woman asked.
Kean’s brow furrowed and he looked out to the field. “Two max, so long as Brooker doesn’t get us any penalty shots.”
“Hey!” Brooker shouted from off-screen and the then camera moved to him.
“Don’t piss off your keeper by arguing,” the woman warned. “Instead, tell me how many goals you’re going to score.”
“Against the Tawdries? I’m getting a hat trick,” Brooker said, winking at the camera. From behind him, Cory Alvarez approached and the Colombian man threw an arm around Brooker’s shoulder.
“I’m not gonna let you hog the ball. I’m getting some goals too.”
“So y’all are feeling pretty confident about winning the championship?” the woman asked.
“Hell yeah we are,” Brooker said before exchanging a high-five with Alvarez. The camera then moved to the defenders, Fuller and Christenson, two white men.
“How about y’all? Ready to take on the Tawdries?”
“Yeah, this is my first championship starting and I’m hella excited,” Fuller, the younger of the two men, said. The camera focused on Christenson, who was staring off in the distance.
“Cap?” the woman prompted after a long moment of silence. Christenson started and shook his head.
“Sorry, Kodi. What was that?”
“You all right, man?” Fuller asked, leaning in to Christenson and speaking softly.
“Oh, yeah, just a little tired. Sorry. I spent the weekend decorating Leah’s house for the holidays and I vastly underestimated how many twinkle lights she wanted up.”
“Oooo,” Fuller started.
“Are you ready for the championship game?” Kodi cut in before Fuller could say anything.
“Yes, the team has been training for this since day one. I’m confident we’ll win this year too. We—”
The Team Spitball
Niall
“So you’re dating?” Fuller asked after I explained as much of what happened with Leah after the baby shower as I felt was appropriate. While I’m sure it’d come up at some point, I wasn’t about to tell everyone about her parents without her giving the okay.
“No, we’re … well I guess maybe dating is the right word. We’re not a couple yet, that’s something I still need to work for.” We were in the midst of ladder runs in the gym and I was starting to feel the burn in my lungs that came with talking while running. It normally took a bit more to get to that point, but I hadn’t gotten much rest over the past few days, so it made sense. I’ll have to fit in a nap or something during the week between when I finish practice and Leah gets off work, maybe even revisit some energy drinks. I hadn’t had one since college, but surely they’ve gotten better than the sludge I remember.
“Earn?” Fuller repeated. “I don’t like the sound of that. It’s not like you’ve got a history of being a player. What do you have to earn?”
When we finished a lap, I put a hand on his shoulders. “I appreciate your concern, but she’s explained it to me and she’s got a valid reason for holding off on a relationship.”
“All right, so long as you feel good about it. But how’re you supposed to ‘work’ for the relationship level?” Noah asked as we started the next lap.
“Well the goal is to make her feel more secure before trying to move things any further.”
“Further?” He laughed. “She’s already pregnant. How much further can you go?” It was a cheesy half joke, but it did make me laugh. Because had we done this, our whole relationship, the "normal" way, we both would’ve been long done with each other.
“Christenson!” Coach called from along the wall where he stood with some of the assistant coaches and physicians. After nodding to Fuller to continue his runs without me, I jogged over to the coach.
