Page 90 of Winning Play

“Everyonegood?”

“Sothey say,”Toddsaid.

“Noone admits to even hearing rumors about a party.Actslike we're the freakingCIA.”Eric’stone dripped with sarcasm.

“Samereaction here,”Spencesaid. “Nopushback on the social media blackout.”

Toddsighed and scrubbed his face in frustration. “Whowants to be tied to this mess?Everyone'spretty beat up right now—we can judge the mood in the morning."HeclappedSpencer'sshoulder before adding, “Nothingyou can do tonight,County.Getsome rest."

Morningclasses dragged, andKimstruggled to focus on lectures.Exhaustiondulled her mind—worry aboutSpencecaused a restless night.Shesaw his text when she checked her phone and knew he’d contact her when he could.Earlypractice, then mandatory breakfast…Spencemust be exhausted.Hopehe gets a break soon—or we can meet after classes.Rumorsfloated around campus, butKimdismissed them and resisted the urge to check social media.

Barbapproached her whenKimentered the student center to order lunch. “Haveyou heard fromSpence?”

“Igot a text around midnight but didn’t see it until this morning.You?”

“NothingfromTodd.Hewasn’t in the one class that we share.”

Kimpushed her hair back from her face. “Dowe need to organize an extraction?”Herlips quirked in a smile.

“Maybe?”Barbshrugged. “Theteam’s meeting must be running long…I’dassumed they wouldn’t miss class.”Shenodded toward the food court. “Joinme for lunch?”

“Soundsgood.”Theydropped their bags on a table and then parted to order their meals.Kimdecided to try the new fresh vegetables and quinoa entree.Sheglanced around the food court area while she waited and noted a few baseball team players entering the door.MaybeSpencewill be in touch soon.

Shesat at the table and scanned her email while waiting.Anote from her mom contained links toVancouvernews she thoughtKimwould enjoy reading.Barbslipped into the seat beside her and spoke as she opened her water bottle.

“IsawByronTeller—you know him?”Barbreferenced a junior backup infielder on theStormSurge.

“Justby name.Isaw a couple of guys come in.Isthe meeting over?”

“Hedidn’t say much except that he thought the senior players hadanothermeeting.Noone’s talking.”Barbshook her head and metKim’seyes. “Idon’t know anything except thatTodd,Eric, andSpencehad to take those guys to the hospitalSaturdaynight.”

“Same,”Kimreplied. “Whatever’sgoing on,Ifeel bad for them.”

“Soundsserious…Hopeit doesn’t screw up their season.”Barbunwrapped her silverware. “Toddhas his heart set on returning to the championship game.”

“Positivethoughts.”Kimcrossed her fingers as she scanned the entry door, hoping to seeSpencewalk in.

Thegrueling early morning practice, followed by breakfast with the same athletes from the same teams, felt like punishment.Spencewanted to skip it and go back to bed...But, with a team meeting scheduled after breakfast, he knew that asCaptain, he should lead by example.So, he followedRamirezandDavisinto an empty meeting room in the complex, prepared to give his teammates his undivided attention—or at least try.

WhatmustKimthink of this lockdown?Afterwe spent part of the night together—how many days ago?Surely, she knowsIhaven’t ghosted her.Kimwill understand.Ihope.Mentallyexhausted,Spencewondered what would come next.Yawning, he took the chair betweenEricandTodd.Ashe stared out the window, he recommitted to doing whatever it took to lead the team back to theNationalChampionshipgame.

Ramirezraised his hand, and the team fell into silence.

"First,Iwant to say how proudIam of this senior group.You'vehandled this situation professionally, and we appreciate your leadership."Helooked at each player. "Donot blame yourselves...unlessyou had prior knowledge of the party... initiation ritual... secret organization, or whatever occurred.Wedon't expect twenty-four-seven babysitting from our seniors."Hepaused to emphasize his words. "There'sa reason you didn't know about this—they knew you'd find a way to stop it.So, no second-guessing or assuming blame."

Ramirezdrank some water. “Wedo expect you'll try to keep the team focused.Listento your teammates, address their concerns, and assure them we believe in them.Aswe discussed at practice today, three players, no matter how talented, cannot prevent us from achieving our goal.Wemay decide to activate some of our red-shirted freshmen, but those on the roster will receive the first opportunity to compete for the open slots.”Pausingto glance around the room, he added, "Pleaseencourage and mentor them and communicate any issues that might arise.Pleaseraise any questions now—anything we discuss remains within these walls only."

Spenceleaned back and listened intently as his fellow seniors asked questions.Afterforty-five minutes, he concluded that no one knew or would divulge further information about the party.Whowants to risk conference sanctions?

“Coach,Idon’t think any of us has anything to add,” he offered, and several teammates murmured in agreement.

“Willthis hang over our heads the rest of the season?”Ericquestioned.

“Notnecessarily,”CoachRamirezreplied, “TheAthleticDepartmentwill keep in touch with the conference.Ourunderstanding—they’ll close the investigation if this proves a one-off situation—as soon as possible.”

Helooked around the room one final time. “Let’sget the team refocused on this season.Wehave the right talent and leadership to achieve our goal.Getout of here, catch up on your classes, and relax.Seeyou at practice tomorrow.”

SpencethankedCoachRamirezand exited the meeting room, wandering through the athletic complex.Relievedthat the team could continue chasing its goals, he knew he needed to up his commitment and lead by example.Couldhe do that while continuing to explore his new relationship withKim?

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