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It was the reason my mood had deteriorated over the course of the week. That and a certain blue-eyed girl I couldn’t get out of my fucking head.
She was everywhere, even when she wasn’t.
Fuck.
My fist clenched against my thigh. Maybe I should just fuck Lindsey and try to get Lily out of my system.It won’t work.No, it wouldn’t. Because she was under my skin. A place few people ever got to be. And all from one kiss in a boat shed.
But it was more than that. It was her. The way she tried to disappear in a crowd. How she hugged herself tight whenever she felt uncomfortable. The way her fingers always tugged on the ends of her braid without her even realizing.
I watched Lily, a lot. Around school when she didn’t even realize I was watching. Then there was AP English, when I had to sit right behind her for sixty torturous minutes every fucking day.
Shutting it all out, I got changed into my football uniform and plopped down on the bench. The second Coach appeared, a ripple went through the room. Monroe caught my eye and smirked.
Cocky fucker.
“Okay, ladies, listen up. This wasn’t an easy task, but I have to choose a starting lineup. If your name isn’t on the list, it doesn’t mean you won’t get game time this season.” His eyes settled on me. “This is a new season, a new team. If we want to get to the playoffs, we need to work together.”
“Try telling that to Monroe,” I muttered under my breath, and Bryan chuckled.
“Something you want to say, Thatcher?”
“No, sir.”
“I’m going to pin this to the noticeboard. Check it on your way to the field. I’ll see you out there in ten.”
The guys all jumped up and surged forward to try to get a look. Monroe was at the front, of course.
“Fuck yes.” He high-fived one of his friends. “Looks like you’re shit out of luck, Thatcher.” His mouth tipped in a smirk. “There’s always next season… oh wait, no there’s not.”
He and his crew exploded with laughter, jostling each other as they filed out of the locker room. Bryan cussed under his breath but went to check the notice.
“First-string.” Disbelief coated his words.
“Nice. You deserve it,” I said.
“At least we can hang out on the bench together,” Gav said around a strained smile. “You should have made first-string.”
“Yeah, so should you. But there’s an entire season ahead of us. It isn’t over yet.” He nudged his shoulder against mine. “Come on. Let’s go kill it on the field and show them what they’re missing.”
“Gav’s right, man. Your time will come.”
“Yeah.” I stood up, glancing at the list.
It fucking sucked, but I knew I wouldn’t see my name beside the first-string quarterback spot. Because this was Monroe’s team.
But I needed it. I needed to play football like my life depended on it.
I would never tell the guys because some things were private, but football meant more than just a full-ride to college. It meant making something of myself. It meant a ticket out of Rixon and away from my father. It meant knowing that I was worth something. That out of all the guys in my position, a team chose me. Wanted me because I was worthy.
Because I was good enough.
“Coming?” Bryan asked, and I nodded.
“Yeah, let’s do this.”
So I wouldn’t be starting at next Friday’s game. I’d be right there, waiting in the wings for my moment to shine. Eagle or Raider, it didn’t matter.
Put a ball in my hand and the only thing that mattered was winning.
