Page 58 of The Fallen Ones

“Sorry, Coach” I called back across the field.

I was fucking up my throws. Too short. Too long. My entire game was shit. My mind wasn’t there and it was easily noticeable to my teammates, but more importantly to my coach. I really didn’t need to be distracted when I had a big game against Chi State coming up on Saturday.

“Bring it in!” Coach Higgins called out.

I bought some time to collect my thoughts by tying my laces. I knew I’d be catching shit over my performance today. I really wasn’t in the mood– I couldn’t afford to lose my temper.

“What’s going on with you, Adams?” Coach Higgins asked as I approached.

“Personal stuff,” I mumbled, my mind on Lily and everything that went with it.

“We’ve got a big game on Thursday. You need to shake off whatever is bothering you and focus on the game. Scouts from all the big teams are going to be there, and I’ve told them to watch out for our star player.” He patted my back. “Personalstuff stays in our personal lives. There’s no room for it on the field. Get your shit together.”

I sighed and nodded, knowing that if I didn’t get my shit together I could kiss goodbye to making it to the big leagues. I’d worked so hard to get my grades up in classes and make it this far on the football team. I was the captain. The quarterback. I had to perform. I knew the only way to ease my mind was to convince Caleb to stick to our pact and somehow get him to agree to repeat our night with Lily.

“I know. I’m sorry about today. I’ll work harder to focus tomorrow,” I replied.

“Jace, Jace!” The sound of girls calling my name cut into my conversion with coach Higgins. I glanced up and hoped that Lily would be among them, but she wasn’t.

I missed her watching me train from the bleachers.

Instead, staring down at me was Jessica Meyers and her friends. They’d started to gather and watch our every practice. I was certain those bitches never went to class. The fact Coach let them watch astounded me. He’d only chuckled and said they were harmless and might actually encourage us to work our asses off. Pretty girls in short skirts always did.

Not for me though. Not anymore. There was only one pretty girl I wanted.

I didn’t offer them so much as a smile or a nod. Other girls didn’t exist in my world. I wasn’t interested in anyone other than my Lily Pad, especially after my night with her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Adams. Go get changed.” Coach Higgins patted me on my back again and sent me on my way.

I was soonat Giano’s waiting at the back in a booth for Caleb and Damien. Whether Caleb would actually show was my main concern. I knew Damien would. He couldn’t wait to have Lily again, but Caleb had put major doubts in my mind. I was so unsure if he’d go through with it a second time. It filled me with anxiety. It also pissed me off that I needed him just so I could have my girl again.

I looked down at the time on my phone. They were both already thirty minutes late.

What the fuck?

I caught a glimpse of what looked like Damien approaching. He broke through the patrons and strode forward.

“Where’s Watts?” he asked, looking around the diner.

“No idea. I’ve been sitting here waiting for the pair of you for the past half hour,” I replied and took a drink of the beer I’d ordered.

“He best not bail on us.”

“Are you guys ordering any food?” one of the waiters asked.

“Pepperoni pizza, extra cheese,” Damien replied.

“Nothing for me,” I added.

“Small, medium, or large?” the waiter asked Damien.

“Medium. Oh, and a side of fries.”

“No gym?” I asked when the waiter left. Damien was always in the gym. And if he wasn’t, rumor had it he was banging out some random chick on campus. I couldn’t cast stones though. I was the same way before I’d met Lily.

“I’m taking a break. I burned a lot of calories off recently and I intend to burn even more soon.” He let out a low chuckle at the innuendo.

I shook my head in reply. I knew exactly what he meant.

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