Page 8 of I Blame the Club

“Babe, I meant no harm by the service comment. Just wanted to test the waters.”

He visibly stiffens at my use of the endearment and I can't help but smirk. It’s just too easy.

“Don’t ever call me that again. Moving forward, I expect professionalism from you and your co-captain, or I will figure out a way to get you both removed from this team.”

“Don’t worry about me, Coach. Your attitude and overall presence on this lacrosse field has taken you from a ten to a seven, and I’m not one to go for sevens.” I throw him a wink, “As long as that unflattering scowl is on your face, rest assured I won’t approach you for anything other than lacrosse drills.”

I turn and walk away feeling his glare on my back the entire time.

Feels like a victory to me.

Chapter 3

Mo

Nico Montez is a pain in the ass.

The two-week training camp at the end of August is supposed to be difficult. It’s supposed to catch you up on the missed months of training and get you prepped for the season. The fatigue and pain level should be so high, you are crawling from the field by the end of each day, wishing like hell you didn’t have to come back and do it all over again the next morning.

And yet, no matter how much endurance the team does, one of the co-captains manages to look fresh as a daisy every time he steps off the field.

It pisses me right off.

“Montez!” Nico looks over at me from his position in goal. I’ve watched him play these last few days and was surprised to learn he actually has decent talent.

If only he didn’t have such a big mouth on him.

“A word, please."

Nodding for a sub to take his place, Nico runs off the field, taking off his helmet as he approaches me.

“Why is it that all the other players out there, including your co-captain, look like they’ve been giving it their all these last four days while you look like you just took a vacation at the spa.”

A growl seeps into my voice and Nico smirks at me, “I must have better stamina than the rest of them.”

I glare at him, his dark hair slightly damp from his helmet but nowhere near the drenched state it should be.

“Or maybe you aren’t putting in substantial effort.”

My accusation only makes his smug smile grow wider.

“I’m sorry, have I not been performing up to your standard?” His gaze trails down my face to my chest, sending a jolt of irritation through me.

“It’s not about how you’re currently performing it’s about how you could be.” I can see my father’s look of disapproval as I echo the words of my childhood.

“Nah.”

I feel my nostrils flare as I force myself not to react, “I’m sorry?”

“Nothing to be sorry for, Maurice. I forgive you.”

I take a deep breath and count to three.

“I don’t think you understand me.”

Nico grins, the dark scruff along his jaw making his teeth look like a set of veneers, “I understand you perfectly. You're pissed that I don’t look as tired as the other players and are about to tell me how much of a terrible role model I am for the new recruits.”

I narrow my eyes as he continues, “But you see, unlike the diehard players here, I play lacrosse because I enjoy it. I perform to the best of my abilities, but I will not kill myself trying to be the best goalie to ever walk this Earth. That’s for people like you and Wes who feel the need to be the best.”

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