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“Did you hear that team scouts will be at the next away game?” Carter asks.
This perks me up. “Oh, yeah?”
“Irongate gets most of their players from the top West Coast D1 schools, which usually draws the scouts, but with Coach’s connections, they never miss our matchup with them.”
I suck in a breath and try like hell to look passive. But with the pressure of the draft being over, maybe some teams will notice my talent. I hate not being a part of the Irongate team. I hate playing for the lesser one—the delinquents, as I’ve heard us being called. What makes it worse is fellow Cessna U teammates, Sean and Quinn, scored a spot on that team. The lucky bastards.
I glance at Carter and wonder what the fuck he did to be here. I quickly let the thought go when the mellow, sweet piano tone cuts through the silence, and a soft melodic voice I’d recognize anywhere follows shortly after. Cassie’s voice fills me with warmth, conjuring memories of us on the shore. It was a time before I knew her real name. A time when I thought I got to know her while surprising her with a picnic and peering out at the ocean with the sun setting behind us.
A time when I foolishly thought we could be together.
After singing a few hymns, Mr. Greenburg steps to the pulpit and dives into the Bible teachings from 1 John 2.
“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness,” his voice booms. I tune him out as he discusses sin and how we can choose against it.What about not choosing to be here? Is that a thing?
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world . . .”
I clamp my mouth shut. This sounds like pure bullshit. The kind of shit you tell people to keep them suppressed to follow your ideals.
“We can take these teachings and apply them to today’s society. Look how often we covet our possessions. How often do we seek prestige, honor, and status? We need to stay humble.”
I shift in my seat as I think about what I actually want.Success—that’s what I want. Or maybe I should look at the reason behind wanting to succeed. It isn’t for worldly possessions and approval—not at all. Being signed to a major league franchise is my ticket out of my hometown. Once I’m gone, I won’t have to face my father and his heavy-handed parenting style—not that he can hit me anymore. I’ve filled out since leaving and tower over his shrunken frame. He can try to strike me the next time we’re in the same room, but I won’t hesitate to defend myself.
That’s a fucking promise.
My eyes wander to the cross perched behind Coach. Where was God when each heavy-handed strike knocked me down? Or why did God abandon me along with Mom, who left without a care in the world? Mr. Greenburg stands and preaches about rejecting temptation leading to sin. Whether I reject the sin or not, it doesn’t change a damn thing. God rejected me.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I sit and scowl as Coach continues. This earns me a side-eye glance from Carter, but he doesn’t say anything.Smart guy. Rage races through my veins, and it won’t take much for me to come unwound.
Coach stops preaching and steps away from the pulpit. He grins and looks at his daughter with admiration. No, I take that back. He’s looking beside her at Bobby.
“And speaking about unselfish behavior. As you all know, Bobby just completed a four-month mission in Peru. He’s in the final year of pastoral studies and took last semester off to help spread Christianity. I can’t think of any more selfless act than giving your time and knowledge.” Coach beams as if he’s boasting about his flesh and blood. A sickening feeling settles in my stomach. “Come up to the podium and tell us about your experience.”
What the ever-loving fuck?
Preppy Boy has been on a religious mission and wants to become a preacher? My hands tighten into fists. How the hell am I going to compete against a guy wanting to become a pastor? There’s no way in hell Cassie’s father would ever look at me the way he’s looking at Bobby. The only selfless act I’ve done was train Shannon for her marathon. Even that came with scrutiny.
I grit my teeth as they roll out a slide show and dim the lights. I glance at the back of Cassie’s head, wishing I could see her face. Maybe it’s good that I can’t. If she’s eying this prick with the same amount of pride as her dad, it will kill me.
As Bobby drones on about all the good deeds he’s done, I reflect on what I’ve been doing for the past few years at college—nothing too honorable besides playing ball.
Fuck.
Coach was right to snatch her away from Bellow Bay that summer.
I don’t deserve this girl.
I never did.
But it doesn’t stop the want I have for her. She may not be a possession to covet, but I want her all the same. The question is, what the fuck am I going to do about it?
Chapter Fourteen
CASSIE
“I’m sorry,but I won’t be able to go with you,” Dad says as he rushes from the hallway and beelines to his bedroom.
Panic rips through my chest. Grabbing hold of the granite island countertop, I manage to squeak out, “Why?”
