Page 19 of Quake

Madison

Jade… She meant the group chat lol. I know damn well that you knew that. Stop being a tyrant and go to bed. I love you ladies!

Kira

Love you, night!

Jade

Love you, goodnight.

Love you guys, goodnight!

God, even they want me to break up with him.

Suddenly, I’ve got a boulder sitting in the pit of my stomach, and I’m not sure I’m strong enough to lift it.

1. Misery Business – Paramore

Chapter eleven

Gianni

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Isomehow managed to peel my ass out of bed this morning, drop Pickles off at my parents’, and make it to practice.

Now that I’m here with the dark clouds hovering over the field and the threat of rain, I’m even more miserable than I could’ve imagined. Soccer hasn’t brought me the same joy it once did since the accident, but standing here as I stare at a man I once respected, looked up to even, as he delivers the worst news possible just heightens my feelings of disdain.

“Damien Reyes will replace Alex Casillas this upcoming season,” Coach Antonio tells us.

This doesn’t make any fucking sense. He’s not even a goalkeeper!

“Coach, all due respect, but Reyes isn’t a goalkeeper anymore, and he hasn’t been for the last two seasons. How is he replacing Alex?”

Coach pins my teammate with a glare. “Gutierrez, every decision I make has a purpose. Have I steered you wrong before?” His deep baritone challenges, those dark eyes piercing Xander Gutierrez with a look that tells him to keep his mouth shut.

As usual, I’m numb.

And as fucked as this sounds, I’m actually almostexcitedto have that piece of shit in my vicinity. At least if I’m angry, I’m feelingsomething. And that’s better than the numbness I’ve been saturated with since last September.

“As I was saying, he starts next week. Get your heads on straight because I don’t want a repeat of last year,” he states sternly, and this time, all eyes are on me.

Rage builds inside me at the reminder of what he’d said, but the pity on my teammates’ faces makes me want to pull my goddamn hair out.

“Go get changed,” he huffs finally.

I turn on my heel, not requiring the extra push to get the hell out of here, but his firm voice is at my back. “Everyone except you, De Laurentiis. Get over here.”

I swear, the clouds overhead darken a shade at his words.

Steeling my spine, I turn to face him.

He approaches me, his hulking form making him eye level with me, something I’m not used to.

“We’re not going to have any problems this season,” he says.

“No, there won’t be, Coach,” I confirm, dipping my chin. Though I’m not so sure it’s true.

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