Page 50 of Wicked Serve

I wish I could text Isabelle to vent, but we haven’t spoken in a few days. Not since I snapped at her for asking about Dad. I’ve tried to find a way to apologize, but every time, I just think about the look in her eyes, those shifting emotions swirling around like fog in a crystal ball, and delete the text.

I drag my hand down my face. At least I didn’t panic in front of her.

As one of the assistant coaches takes over, sketching out the schedule for the next few days, Ryder gestures for me and Cooper to follow him out the door. Even though I’m still in half my gear, I join them in the training room across the hallway. Ryder seemed plenty calm in the locker room, but without the guys watching, his demeanor changes, gaze hardening as he draws himself up to his full, considerable height. He stares at us for a long moment, arms crossed over his button-down.

“I thought we let bygones be bygones.”

“Sir?” Cooper says.

“We have,” I say, swiping my fingers through my sweaty hair.

“What did I tell you before we started the season? I need you on the same page, providing leadership.”

Cooper and I glance at each other.

“We’re doing that,” he says.

“Then why,” Ryder says with exaggerated patience, “does it seem like you’re seeing each other for the first time whenever I send you out there together?”

“We just—”

“Sir,” I interrupt. “The loss was my fault, I know that, but—”

He puts up his hand, cutting us both off. “Get a beer together.”

I duck my head. Next to me, Cooper shifts his weight from side to side.

“Get a beer together,” he repeats, pinching his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Do something together. You can’t just show up for practice, go your separate ways after, and expect to trust each other enough not to fuck up when the game’s on the line.”

Cooper wipes his forehead with his sleeve. “The team’s been spending plenty of time together.”

“Don’t misunderstand me on purpose, Callahan.”

Cooper blinks. I don’t blame him; Ryder usually calls him by his first name instead of last.

“Not the team. The rest of the guys are picking it up.” He looks between us with seriousness in those pale eyes. “The two of you. You’re supposed to be leading the team, and I have the sense you haven’t been alone together since you met in my office.”

I swipe my tongue over my lips. “It’s Cooper’s team. He’s the one they listen to.”

“That doesn’t mean you have nothing to offer.”

“He’s been putting in a lot of work with Hazelton,” Cooper says. He turns to me. “The young guys look up to you.”

I nearly do a double take. I know he asked me, but truthfully, I didn’t think he’d noticed how much I’ve been mentoring Micah. The kid needs it; he’s been slowly improving with extra instruction. “And everyone respects you.”

“Which I appreciate,” Ryder says, softening slightly as he claps our shoulders. “But I want more from both of you. Spend some time together, get to know each other. The more effort you put in, the faster you’ll click.”

I swallow my reflexive protests. I’ve tried to stay out of Cooper’s way because I don’t want him to get suspicious about whatever’s going on with Isabelle or mess up his relationship with the team, but Coach is right. This loss fucking sucked, and doing it over and over would suck even more. A losing season isn’t acceptable, not when the stakes are this high. This time next year, Cooper will be making a name for himself professionally, and I’ll be in my high-rise office, imprisoned in tailored suits.

“Okay,” I say. “Understood, sir.”

“We’ll have a playdate,” Cooper says, a touch dryly. “He can help me with the team formal.”

Ryder gives him an exasperated look. “You haven’t even started planning it, have you?”

I nudge him, suppressing a wince at the ache of my ribs. “Your place or mine?”

Chapter 24

---