Page 106 of Against The Rules

“This attitude is unbecoming. Fix it, or you’re benched.”

“Yes, ma’am, thank you, ma’am. Is that all?”

“Dismissed,” she says, staring me down.

“Thank you for the privilege,” I trill, making my way to the locker room.

Fuck you, Rebecca. Fuck this shit.

I get to my locker, ignoring the worried looks all the other women are casting at me, and I pull out my phone.

I can’t make tonight

I need some time alone

Great game today, though, babe

He doesn’t answer, and I know it’s probably because he hasn’t checked his phone yet. I rub my chest, trying not to cry. Not because of Rebecca, but because I want to see Ty, despite her. Despite all of this.

For the first time since auditioning for the team, I wonder if I’ve made a huge mistake being a cheerleader. Maybe I’m not cut out for it, after all.

CHAPTER 44

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE WITH STARTING WIDE RECEIVER TYLER MATTHEWS: BEAVERS V. CONDORS

Interviewer: Tyler, you had some great catches, made some great plays today. But your game definitely started out rough.

Tyler Matthews: I don’t follow.

Interviewer: You didn’t make it past the friend zone to the end zone during the pre-game.

Tyler Matthews: You know, I thought it would be on brand to give a random cheerleader a rose. I guess my playbook needs some updating, huh? You all got any tips for me?

Interviewer: There’s been a lot of chatter about Daniel Harrison and what he is or isn’t capable of this season. Do you feel the Beavers would be stronger with a different starting QB?

Tyler Matthews: If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to trust the coaches. They see the big picture, they have the big ideas. I’m just here to catch a ball, you know? We play as a team, and we lose as a team. That’s all there is.

Interviewer: You seemed pretty upset when Daniel ran into that reporter on the sidelines. What was going through your head when you were screaming at him?

Tyler Matthews: That’s a good question, and the thing about just being the guy that catches balls for the team and runs fast is I don’t remember all the things that go through my head during the game. I think I was more worried, uh, about him than anything.

Interviewer: You were worried about Daniel?

Tyler Matthews: That’s all for now, thanks, ladies and gentlemen.

CHAPTER 45

TYLER

It’s been three miserable weeks since I’ve seen Savannah. We text every day, but we’ve both been slammed with work, and the away games mean even less time together.

I glance around my house before Jacob and I leave to go to Darius’ house for team poker night, and I can’t help thinking how much better my life would be if she lived with me.

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