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“I can’t believe you got Maeve Stevens to sleep with you. She—”
“I said I’m not discussing it!” I snap.
Chris raises his hands in a gesture of acceptance and leans back in the heavy wooden chair.
“I’m starting to think Maeve Stevens might have something to do with the horrific mood you’ve been in since—when? Thursday?” I don’t answer. “Let’s recap the last few days. You spend the game Friday acting like some sort of robotic general. Then you get wasted, kiss Natalie right after—”
“That’s plenty of commentary, thanks,” I interrupt. But it’s too late. He’s already put it together.
“That’s why you kissed Natalie. Because Maeve Stevens showed up.”
“Chris…”
“Well, that’s one way to let a girl know you care. Kiss—”
“Chris!” I snap. “Shut up or leave.”
“Fine,” Chris retorts, standing. “But if we lose on Friday because you’re letting Maeve Stevens mess with your head, I’m never going to forgive you. And neither is the rest of the team.” He strides off to another section of the library.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get much worse.
I leave study hall fifteen minutes early, but no one tries to stop me. I head straight to the locker room, changing and heading out onto the field. Right now, I feel like throwing the football as far and as fast as I can. But there’s no one here to catch it. So instead, I jog around the track.
I knew there was a chance there would be rumors I went to Glenmont this morning. Maeve was griping last week about how early she’d have to get up for the morning practices the days before her championship game, and there’s no way I was going to risk going to Liam Stevens’ house. I needed to see her after Friday night. See how I felt. How she felt. Now, I’m more confused than ever.
I’m not concerned about Alleghany High gossiping about my sighting at Glenmont High. But I’m not willing to let my team think it’s going to impair my judgement on Friday. We’re not playing against Maeve. We’re playing against Glenmont. There’s a difference.
My teammates start to trickle onto the field, along with Coach Blake. They all give me questioning looks as I continue jogging around the track. Once the cluster around Coach Blake has grown to its usual size, I slow and walk over.
“I like the initiative, Cole,” Coach Blake compliments as I join the group. “Now, boys—”
I step forward. “Could I say something to the team, Coach?” I ask.
He raises a grizzled brow. I’ve never interrupted him before. Neither has any other member of the team. But he nods, and I step forward to the middle of the loose semi-circle the team is standing in.
“Listen, I know there are some rumors going around right now. You guys can gossip about me all you want, but I’m not interested in hearing opinions from anyone here about decisions I make off the field. We’re playing Glenmont on Friday, and I have no intention of losing that game. I also fully expect to become state champions again this year. That’s all you should need to know. You boys willing to help me out with that?” I look around the group of guys assembled before me, meeting each pair of eyes unflinchingly before holding my hand out in the middle of the circle.
There’s a slight pause. Chris is the first to hold his out as well, followed by Charlie and Adam, then Josh, and I let out a sigh of relief as the pile of appendages grows to include every guy on the varsity Alleghany football team. “Let’s go Eagles!” I shout, and it’s loudly echoed around me.
“All right, then,” Coach Blake intervenes. “Usual teams, boys. Get lined up.”
I start to follow the rest of the team when I hear my name. My stomach sinks. I was hoping he’d let it go. “Yes, Coach?” I turn back around.
“That was quite the speech, Cole.”
“Sorry, Coach. I know you hate any drama on the team. Seemed necessary to address this bout head on, though.”
“I’ve noticed a real difference in you this season, Cole. You’re more mature. More focused. Now, I’m in the business of coaching champions, not listening to gossip, but I wouldn’t be too concerned with where whoever may have inspired that change lives. And it’s up to you whether you are. Just my pair of pennies. Now, get out of here.”
“Yes, sir,” I reply. I was steeling myself for a lecture about dragging the team into my personal life, and now I’m reeling from the implications Coach Blake just made. And the confirmation gossip about my love life has spread to the Alleghany High faculty along with the students.
I jog over to Chris’s side. “Thanks for backing me up there,” I tell him. “Sorry I got short in the library.”
He shrugs. “You were right. As long as you don’t let it mess with your game, it’s none of my business what you do off the field. Even if it involves a girl from Glenmont.”
“Chris. You’re one of my best friends. It’s not that I—” I sigh. “It’s always been complicated with her. Right now, I don’t even—I don’t even know where to begin.”
Chris nods slowly. “If you want to talk about it, I’ll listen. I can’t promise I won’t tell you to get over it and move on, but I’ll listen.”
