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Xander
“Kaiden?”I said, noticing he hadn’t followed the rest of the team out onto the field. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m not sure I can do it.”
My brows knitted as I sat down beside him. “Do what?”
“Go out there… lead them.” His eyes flicked to mine, nervous energy rippling off him as his leg bounced up and down.
“I feel like I’m going to puke, Coach.”
“Nah,” I clapped him on the back, “you’ve got this, Thatch.”
“But what if… what if we lose? What if I screw it up?”
“Not possible.” I shook my head. “No one has worked harder than you this season, Kaiden. You’re a great player and an even better leader.”
He exhaled a long steady breath, rubbing a hand down his face. “I want to win. I want it so fucking much. But I feel like I’m losing it.”
“Hey, hey,” I gripped his shoulder, “you’ve got this. You’re ready for this. Do you really think Jase would have entrusted the team to you if you weren’t?” I smirked, and Kaiden returned it with a weak smile.
“Listen. Whatever happens out there tonight, whether we win or lose, as long as you know you gave it your all, that’s all you can do. Either way, you got us here. And you deserve to be here, you hear me?”
“Y-yeah.” The color slowly returned to his cheeks. “I can’t believe I’m freaking out like this.”
“It happens to the best of us, kid. You think Jase hasn’t puked in a trash can before a big game?” I stood, offering him my hand. “Now come on, you’re no good to the team sitting in here.”
He took my hand and let me pull him up. “Better?” I asked, and he nodded.
“Thanks, Coach, for everything.”
“It’s all part of the job.” I winked, hooking my arm around his shoulder and leading him out of the locker room into the tunnel. “Hear that? That’s all for you, Kaiden. Soak it up.”
His eyes were wide with awe as we stepped out onto the field. Jase caught my eye, frowning as he mouthed, “Problem?”
“It’s all good,” I mouthed back, shaking my head slightly. “Ready?”
“I think so, Coach. Thanks.”
“Good, now get out there and show everyone why we’re the best; why you’re the best, kid.”
He jogged off toward the team, then slowed down and turned around to face me. “Hey, Coach?”
“Yeah?” I called.
“I couldn’t have done it without you.” He grinned before joining the rest of the team, like he hadn’t just punched me in the damn chest.
* * *
The atmosphere was electric,the fourteen-thousand strong crowd like a constant boom of thunder as the team went head-to-head with Bridderton.
“They’ve got this,” Jase murmured from beside me, one hand squeezing my shoulder and the other gripping his playbook like it held the secrets of the universe.
“Run, RUN,” he yelled, jogging along the sideline as Cole took off, sprinting with the ball.
“Go, GO,” the words seemed to echo from all directions as the sea of red and white jerseys closed in on him.
Forty… thirty… twenty…
