Page 7 of All In

Sebastian, our defensive end, splits the double team of Darby and Coop and tackles the running back for a loss of yards on the play.

So, when he gets in Darby and Coops faces and yells, we all know we’re screwed.

Coach Maxwell has been watching us all day. It’s as if he knows we were at our boiling points and is just waiting for us to tip over. Maxwell’s in his early forties, with slightly graying dark hair and a strong, lean build. He’s a few inches shorter than me. For a football coach, he’s almost reserved. Until he isn’t. When he loses his shit, we all take notice immediately because it doesn’t happen often. It does happen today, though.

Coach’s entire face is dark red, and the vein in his forehead is bulging. “What the hell happened out there! Do you either of you want to tell me how Beneventi broke through both of you and caused a loss of yards? If that happens in a game, that could be the difference between celebrating a win or carrying your sorry selves off my football field. Well! What do you have to say for yourselves!”

That’s the exact moment the afternoon goes down in flames. Darby steps forward and answers Coach first. “Just saying Coach, but maybe Sinclair here shouldn’t be in the tight end position. His last name doesn’t seem to be getting it done.”

Cooper spins on Darby, grabbing him by the facemask. “You got something to say to me, asshole, say it to my face.”

Coach grabs both of them by their Jerseys and drags them to the middle of the field. “We are one team, gentlemen. We win as one, and we lose as one. I don’t give a rat’s ass what your last name is. I don’t care that Sinclair’s dad is a football coach, just like I don’t care that Stafford’s grandfather is a huge donor to the school. You earn your positions on my field, and you can lose your positions on my field. Now, I would like everyone to thank Mr. Stafford and Mr. Sinclair today. They are the reason that you will all be doing up-downs until I say you are done.”

The grumbling starts right away. Up downs are right up there with torture at this point in the week. This is the absolute last thing any of us feel like doing at this point, but we don’t have a choice. Coach blows his whistle, and we start the first of what end up being 100 up-downs.

The rest of the day goes better than the morning, but I wouldn’t call it good.

By the time Murphy, Sebastian, Cooper, and I exit the locker room, the tension in the air is still hanging heavy. Everyone’s tired, but Murphy is determined to get us hyped up. Clapping his hands together as we approach our cars, Murph leans back on his black Escalade and smiles. “Alright, men. Today was a shit show, but tonight we party. Tiffany’s house. Be there or be home jerking off by yourself instead of getting your dick sucked by a hot little cheerleader.”

Groaning, I lean on my car across from Murphy’s. “Come on, Murph, man. Aren’t you over that crew? They spew nothing but nasty shit constantly. Most of them don’t even care who they are hooking up with as long as you play football. Have some standards.”

“Shut the fuck up, QB. They can’t spew anything when you keep their mouths busy. I’ll takeeasy, less work for me to do.” Murph climbs into his car and revs the engine. “Catch you later, assholes.” You can hear his laughter as he pulls out of the parking lot.

Throwing his blue and gold gym bag into the back of his Hummer, Bash stops to look at Coop and me. “One of these days, a chick is going to do him dirty. I hope he doesn’t go down in flames, itching, and scratching.” Bash follows Murphy out.

Coop and I climb in the Range Rover. Adjusting his Notre Dame baseball hat, Coop stares out the window. “You know Darby better than I do. Do you think he’s going to be a problem?”

Taking my eyes off the road momentarily, I look his way. “No. I don’t think he will be. He’ll fall in line. He’s always been a team player. I don’t think that will change. Left tackle is still a good position, even if it’s not what he wanted.”

Coop nods but doesn’t say anything else.

“You going to the party tonight?” What I really want to know is if he’s bringing Natalie.

“Yeah. I promised Tiffany I’d go. I gotta do dinner first. Dad wants to take Nattie out tonight. Welcome her home.”

“Are you and Tiffany a thing now? Be careful, man. She’s a clinger.”

“Nah. We’re just having some fun.”

“You bringing Natalie with you to the party?” I try to sound casual, but I hate how much I want him to say she’ll be there tonight.

“That’s the plan. Is your sister going? It’d be nice to introduce Nat to Chloe. I’m sure she’d like to know another girl before school starts. Especially one I haven’t already hooked up with.”

“I think she’s going. Once she hears your sister’s going to be there, she won’t be able to miss it. She told me before she can’t wait to meet the female version of you. I have to say, I think Little Sinclair is a significant improvement.”

Coop regards me for a moment, before shutting me down. “No.”

6

Natalie

It’s barely been a full day since I moved into this room, but I’ve done a pretty good job of making it a little less fit for a princess and a little more me. Pictures of me, Cooper, and Declan line my shelves, along with a few of my friend Luca and me when we danced Sleeping Beauty last year.

Earlier today, I went in search of the boxes that I had shipped from California last week. I found them all in the spare room down the hall. There’s a dark wood bed and dresser set in there too. I think that must be Declan’s room for when he comes home to visit. I hung my favorite twinkly lights in the gauzy fabric surrounding my bed. My goal is to feel surrounded by stars at night. Not sure if that’s gonna work, but it’s worth a try. I have a few fashion sketches given to my mom years ago that are now framed and hanging over my bed. Gorgeous gowns sketched out in beautiful jewel tones. She wore the four different dresses in a New York fashion week event. They add a nice pop of color to my white and grey room. I’ve got Lewis Capaldi singing from my MacBook and my favorite buttercream scented candle burning.

There is still more to do, but it’s starting to feel like home.

I’m nervous about talking to my dad about dancing tonight. So, I text Luca to give me the courage I need.

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