Page 73 of Strike & Score
I can’t help but bark out a laugh. “Then she’ll be really happy for you to marry me.”
“Hold on, we aren’t going that far.” She tries to push away from me.
“No, not yet, but you will. One day.”
“You’re crazy.”
I don’t deny it, because I know I am. Obviously marriage is something in the future, but she hasn’t even accepted loving me yet. We’ll get there, one step at a time. Also, we have to deal with our parents first. As much as I don’t want to go back home to see them again, I know it’s going to need to be done.
Soccer usedto be one of my favorite things to do. And generally it still is, but lately, I just end up pissed off at how shitty the team is this year. Reyes has been a mopey fuck and that’s hardly helpful on the field.
Everyone else either seems to be too distracted or not giving a fuck to play well. It seems like I’m the only one able to handle the Rites and the actual sport we play. I also don’t give a fuck about my classes, which takes something off my plate I guess. Some of these guys actually care about their grades and finals coming up.
Mayson does too, which is why for the last few days she’s been a ball of stress. Between soccer, classes, and the anticipation of going home soon, she’s been constantly stressed. I have then taken it upon myself to relieve her of that stress, which I know she appreciates.
Even if she doesn’t say it.
Just like she hasn’t said she loves me back, and that’s fine. I’m not a words guy, I know she does even if she doesn’t know it herself yet.
After another shitty game we lost, we’re back in the locker room. Mads is grumbling to himself, which speaking ofdistraction, he has been as well. We’ve never chatted much so I don’t give a fuck to know why.
Reyes is looking at his phone for the millionth time and tossing it down looking even sadder.
“How’s the girlfriend?” I ask, knowing it’ll probably piss him off.
“Don’t fucking worry about it, Masters.”
“I’m not. She’d have to be real for me to worry about anything,” I goad.
He starts mumbling under his breath, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him be so quiet. I don’t even really care to know what he’s saying or what’s going on with him. All I care about is that the team is shit, and he’s part of the problem. So whatever is going on, he needs to figure it the fuck out.
Everyone does because it’s post season and we won’t get far. If we don’t then I might have to start kicking their asses for subjecting me to such a shitty final college season.
Maybe that’s why I couldn’t be captain.
Whatever, it’s not like Mads is doing the job well, the fucker is just as distracted as everyone else. I look over at him, finding him not paying attention to much around, and toss a towel at his head. He turns, scowling. “What the fuck is your problem?”
“Myfookingproblem is you’re not keeping the team up to standards.” I can’t help but throw in a jab at his British accent.What can I say, I’m just a dick.
“Piss off, Masters,” he spits, and because I’m in a mood after the loss I get in his face.
“No, if you’re not going to whip these guys into shape, then I will.” I shove him against the lockers, and he immediately reacts like I hoped he would, shoving me back.
“Masters, Keller, my office,” Doc booms, turning around and just expecting us tofollow her.
I shove Mads again for good measure, walking ahead to get the verbal ass beating I know is coming, which is fine. She’s not going to kick me off the team or anything.
As soon as I walk through the door, our coach is standing behind her desk with her arms folded and glaring at me. “There a problem I should know about, gentlemen?”
I bite my tongue so hard I start to taste blood. I’m not scared of Doc, and I’m definitely not against talking back to her. But something like this I’d rather deal with Keller one on one not with our coach.
“No, Doc, tensions are just running high after the loss,” Keller says and I roll my eyes.Kiss ass.
“Masters?” She raises an eyebrow at me.
“Yup, just some high tension.”
She looks between us skeptically, but clearly doesn’t want to deal with any more. She’s already had enough bullshit to deal with the Rites going too far for some. I think the science lab is still looking for all the dead frogs that were stolen. I haven’t heard anything being done with them, but I’m sure it’s coming. Unless whoever took them gets caught first. Good thing I’m not involved in whatever the fuck that’s about.
