Page 97 of The Off-Limits Play

“Hey, Coach! We’ve got a lightning warning!” Coach Perkins shouts from the sidelines. “Just came in. The storm’s heading our way!”

“Okay, guys, we’re wrapping this up.” Coach twirls his finger in the air. “Let’s get inside. On the double!”

I reach down for the ball, tucking it under my arm and running after my teammates.

“Leave the gear!” Coach shouts. “I don’t want anyone getting fried. Let’s get inside. Now!”

We pick up our pace, our cleats echoing off the concrete tunnel as we race inside, dripping wet and freezing.

Stripping off my gear, I head for a hot shower as fast as I can. I manage to beat the rush but only get two minutes before I’m being shouted out for taking too long.

Shutting off the spray, I wrap a towel around my waist and head back out to get dressed. Coach probably wants us to stick around for a cooldown, stretching in the workout room and shit, but there’s an urgency that’s thrumming through me right now.

I don’t even know what it is until a boom of thunder cracks over the stadium.

“Holy shit, that came in fast.” Grady looks up at the ceiling.

Nylah.

That’s why the fuck I’m hurrying.

I need to get to Nylah.

Not just call her or text to check in.

I need to get to hernow.

Because if I found that thunder loud and off-putting… I shake my head, not wanting to think about the effect it would have had on her.

All I know is that she’s not gonna face it alone.

Pulling my jacket on, I duck out of the locker room while my friends are still in the shower.

“Where’s the fire, asshole?” Fleischer calls after me.

I flip him the bird and whip through the door, avoiding the football he just threw at my head. I don’t have time to waste on that dick right now.

I’ve got a girl who needs me.

She might not realize she does. Shit, maybe she doesn’t.

But I’m gonna be there anyway.

CHAPTER35

NYLAH

Despite my curtains being closed, I can still see that flash of lightning and hear the cracking thunder right after it.

I flinch, burrowing further under my covers. My duvet is up to my chin, my noise-canceling headphones doing nothing to take the edge off this storm.

I’mtryingto watchBack to the Future, because I thought something light and fun might distract me, but it’s not working.

I fucking hate storms!

But I couldn’t admit that to Mom when she called about ten minutes ago.

My phone rang about thirty seconds after that first flash of lightning. My hands were shaking, and I nearly dropped it. It took maximum effort not to wail into the phone, “Mom! I’m scared!”

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