Page 128 of Offside Angel

“The night may be young for you all, but it’s late for me, so it’s time to wrap this up so I can get home.” Coach Popov pauses for another laugh. “I was going to make this announcement myself, but it feels right to let your former captain announce his successor.”

Zane’s arm tightens around me as Jace joins Coach on stage and grabs the microphone. I wrap my hand around Zane’s, squeezing his fingers.

“I swear I’ll make this quick. You all have heard enough from me tonight.”

“And for the rest of our lives!” Davis jeers loudly.

Jace ignores him, continuing on. “I love this team. It’s been my home for the last six years, and I couldn’t walk away without making sure I left it in good hands. Which is why I’m thrilled Coach is letting me announce the next captain of the Phoenix Angels.”

Carson sits up from where he’s been holding court in the corner. His eyes flick over to us, but I look away quickly.

Zane said he could stay on the team if Carson became captain, but I can’t imagine how. I’ve been mentally preparing myself for a big move if, for some reason, Carson’s name comes out of Jace’s mouth. I don’t want to leave the family we’ve found here, but I’ll do it for Zane.

“First,” Jace adds, “I just want to give a quick thank you to the coaching staff for putting so much thought into this decision. It wasn’t an easy choice, but you listened to the team and took everyone’s opinions into account. We all appreciate that.”

Zane lets go of me just long enough to join the smattering of applause.

“Without further ado, I’m thrilled to announce that your next captain will be… Zane Whitaker.” Jace gestures towards Zane and I with a flourish, but…

Zane doesn’t move.

Applause erupts around us, but Zane keeps holding onto me.

I try to wriggle away so I can clap or hug him or something, but his arm stays tight around my chest.

“Zane,” I hiss, looking over my shoulder, “did you hear that? You’re the captain.”

I finally get a good look at his face, and he’s…

Smiling. A wide, ear-to-ear, stupid happy grin. He’s looking around at his teammates, taking it all in.

It’s been a crazy few months where almost nothing has gone right—but this? This is perfect.

“You deserve this,” I tell him, kissing the inside of his wrist. “You deserve it all.”

Zane finally whirls me around and hugs me.

Davis starts a slow clap that evolves into a sloppy rendition of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and Zane reluctantly lets go of me. He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before he’s roped into hugs and handshakes and claps on the back.

Coach Popov shakes Zane’s hand and leads him off to talk shop, I’m sure. I’m beyond happy for him, but I also want this moment to be about him. Zane has been working for this for years, and I don’t want to get in the way.

I make my way through the crowd towards the bar. I have a feeling Zane isn’t going to want to rush off after that announcement. He’ll want to stay and bask in the glory a little while longer, as he should. So I order an iced tea. It’s been my drink of choice all night. Zane told me I could drink, but I told him I’d rather stay sober with him.

The bartender has to go into the kitchen to get my tea, and as soon as she’s gone, a hand snakes around my wrist.

For a split second, I think it’s Zane.

I turn around with a smile…

Until I see who is actually standing behind me.

Then, before I can rip my hand away from him, Carson Deluth is pulling me through a side door and into a dark hallway.

49

MIRA

The music in the main dining room has gotten louder. Even with the door shut, it pulses through the walls.

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