Page 29 of Redeeming Heart

With our bowed heads and dispirited hearts, we headed over to the coach who shared the same despair.

“So, that didn’t go as planned.” Coach Peterson acknowledged. Giving us a narrowed, knowing look that we all understood.

We messed up.

“Maybe we are out of minds.” One of the girls exclaimed.

Maybe we were. We were far from being a team and haven’t had proper training in years.

The coach seemed to agree. “We needed a win today because you see that man congratulating the team that whipped your butts.”

All at once, we looked over at the man he was referring to.

“He is the sports director who gave me a chance because I believed in all of you but I guess I thought wrong giving you each a second chance.”

The last time I have seen so much disappointment blazing in someone’s eyes was when I abandoned my team three years ago.

Being surrounded by so much despair brought back many sad memories which I wasn’t ready for and all I wanted to do was get out of here. Having enough of these overwhelming feelings.

I handed the borrowed hockey stick back and wanted to leave but Clarissa had other ideas. “Where are you going?” She questioned with a glare.

“I thought I wasn’t wanted,” I noted.

A few of the players shook their heads at me. “On the contrary, we need you.” One of the girls said and more than the first time agreed with her.

“What can one person do? You have seen it for yourself that if we don’t work together or communicate, we will get nowhere.”

“Then why not stay and help us out?” I gave Clarissa a questioning look.

“A few minutes ago, you wanted me out of here and now you are asking me to help?”

Her tough act dropped and gone was the girl I used to know. The bitch who could never leave me alone looked at me as if I was their only hope.

“I made the mistake of not trusting you.” I shook my head.

“You didn’t want to listen to your team that was your first mistake.” Her second was showing defeat and the team picked up on it.

“See. We need you.” I so badly wanted to turn her down but having them all stare at me with eyes begging made things almost unbearable.

“How can you trust someone who doesn’t know if she won’t have another breakdown? I can’t afford to ruin yet another team’s chance and I won’t allow it.” I had no choice but to turn them down, yet, again.

I walked away without looking back.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Why am I doing this again?” I asked Aunt Maggie when we pulled up in front of a gym.

“I need a gym partner and you are the only one who can keep up.” She replied.

“It’s Saturday and I could have been sleeping right now.” What was with these people who liked waking me up on a weakened when they were aware of my sleeping habits and bed addiction?

“It will do you some good since you stopped participating in any kind of sport.” I frowned at her remark.

“Skateboarding is classified as an extreme sport.” Aunt Maggie rolled her eyes at me.

“Fine, you are in shape. Well, I am not. So, quit whining, and let’s go.” She should consider becoming a drill sergeant.

I bit back a remark and followed her.

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