Page 91 of Dangerous Play

NCAA College Soccer Superstar, Maximilian Aarons, ends Coach Henderson’s career as head coach.

Scandal: US National Soccer Team Coach picks daughter over country.

My jaw dropped to the floor as I stared at the headlines. Clicking on the first article, I scanned the text on how the US Soccer Federation had received some screenshots where Thalia was begging her dad not to pick me for the National Team out of spite for what Ivy said about her. What’s worse, Coach Henderson did reply with something along the lines of “no problem.” Which would have been fine if they had another midfielder with similar stats, build, physicality, and talent as me. But I was in the top four midfielders in the country according to all stats, and him not even considering me was already causing a lot of backlash. Now these screenshots really buried him.

“This is crazy… How did they even get these screenshots?” I asked, turning the screen to Ivy so she could understand what was going on. Then it hit me.

Her lips pulled into a small smile, and she crossed her arms defensively in front of herself. “Well… Merry Christmas?”

“You’re joking,” I gaped at her.

Ivy shrugged. “I was looking for something good on Thalia way before the whole mess, and this was just the perfect thing. And to be fair, I warned her what would happen if she didn’t leave you alone.”

“This is amazing,” Dex laughed. “Nice job, Poison Ivy.”

“Don’t call her that,” I warned him without taking my eyes off Ivy. “Gosh, you are truly amazing,” I muttered, appreciation lacing my words.

Ivy blushed. “It was nothing. They took forever to conduct the investigation, so I had to leak it to ESPN too, to light some fire under them. And it seems like Henderson couldn’t deny the legitimacy of them.”

I was truly mind-blown by her cunningness and immensely impressed by her bravery.

“Wow, I really don’t know what to say… Thank you doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

Ivy tucked her hair behind her ears and smiled. “You’re welcome. You deserve it.”

“I mean, this doesn’t mean I’ll get the call or anything similar, but I guess it can mean I’m back in the running,” I said, trying to keep the excitement limited in my voice.

“Well…” Liam cleared his throat. “About that… Have you checked your phone finally?”

With a sigh, I reached over to the nightstand, turning my phone back on. Within seconds, it was buzzing with messages. First, our Titan’s group chat was blowing up, everyone sharing the article. I had missed calls from my parents, my agent, Coach McCarthy, and an unknown number.

My stomach knotted as I swiped through all the notifications before staring at the newest incoming message from Coach McCarthy.

Coach McCarthy

Call me as soon as you see this.

Blinking up at my friends and Ivy, I gaped. “Oh my gosh.”

My hand was shaking as I called him immediately. Ivy jumped up, coming right next to me and wrapping her arms around me while Liam threw a pen to get my attention.

“Put him on speaker!”

Pushing the speaker sign, we listened in silence for the ringing tone before the call connected.

“Max?” The voice on the other end definitely did not belong to my coach, Sky McCarthy; instead, it was Aiden Hitchings.

Ivy put her hand over mine and helped me hold the phone as my entire body shook. “This is Max Aarons…”

“Max, this is Aiden Hitchings,” he introduced himself, as if I didn’t know it. “You probably remember we met briefly after the finals.” I nodded, before realizing he couldn’t see it.

“Yes, I remember,” I muttered, sounding like a total idiot.

“Right.” Aiden chuckled. “You have probably heard the news that I took over as head coach for the US National Team for the season, and following the superb season you had with the Titans, I wanted to give you a call and personally extend an invite to the US National Team this season.”

I stared at my friends in utter shock before my eyes slid to a very grinning Ivy.

We spent the whole week celebrating with takeout, sex, and various parties. Everyone on the team was over the moon with the news of Henderson being replaced and me making the National Team. I kept telling everyone that it wasn’t final—that I might still end up on the bench for the World Cup—but in everyone else’s mind, it was a done deal.

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