Page 20 of Quake

“That wasn’t a question. I’m telling you.” Now,I’mthe one being pinned with his steely gaze. “We arenotgoing to have any problems this season. You’re a grown-ass man, and you’ll be treatedlike one. Last year, when you smashed his face in, I let it happen. I knew that whatever the hell he said must’ve been pretty bad for you to lose your temper like that,” he explains, putting his hands on his hips and widening his stance. “I let it slide because the accident had happened so recently, and I know Alex was your best friend. What happened to that young man is a goddamn tragedy, but you will not be landing your ass on the bench again. You’re on the same team now, and I need you to act like it.”

What Iwantto do is flip him off and tell him I quit because this game doesn’t bring me any fucking joy without Alex here, but I can’t do that becauseAlexwould be pissed. I know he’s dead, but I’m rather convinced he’d come back to haunt me or at least my dreams. Not that he isn’t already doing that. It’s part of the reason I spend so much of my time asleep. At least then, I get to see him again, outside of the confines of pictures and old family videos.

“Yes, Coach. Can I get changed now?”

“Fine,” he grunts.

I take off at a sprint, and just like that, the rain comes pouring down. My feet slap against the wet turf as I make my way to the locker rooms to change.

After I’ve showered, I finally check my phone. I groan, finding that ten text messages await me.

I skim through them, ignoring them all, but see that Kat’s texted me. She doesn’t do that often.

Kat

Hey Gi… I have a funny story to tell you that might brighten your day a bit?

Doubtful, but I’m all ears.

At least over texts, I can be honest with her.

Kat

Well, at least you didn’t lie to me this time and say you’re “fine.”

Kat

I went out to dinner with Lark on Saturday…

Dr. Hughes?

Nowshe has my attention.

Kat

I’m not sure how many people you know named Lark, but yes… one and the same.

Wow, snarky today.

Kat

Just shut up and let me tell you the good news!

You’re starting to sound a lot like Aiyana…

Kat

She’s reading over my shoulder like the absolute pain in my ass that she is, but she says, “thank you.”

Oh, come the fuck on. These two.

Kat

Okay, so we had dinner and SHE THOUGHT YOU AND I WEREDATING!!!

What?

Kat

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