Page 2 of Shielding Rosie

“You think the guys don’t know what’s going on?” Shaun smiles so big it shows off his straight white teeth. “Come on, Tate. We all know Coach is making you captain this year. After last season and Jack getting arrested, there’s big changes coming.”

“Having a few bad games is part of playing. It’s not the end of the world. And everybody knows his dad got that arrest taken care of and hushed it up, so technically, it never happened.”

“Then why are you here?” Desha pipes up, and when I look at her, she lets her eyes slowly move over me.

Shaun and I have been friends since second grade when his family moved down the street from mine, but I know he hasn’t always had the best taste in the girls he’s dated.

“Hey, babe, grab me a drink, will you?” Shaun says, and Desha rolls her eyes. “Let me talk to Tate for a second.”

“Fine.” She takes his cup and walks off without another word, and I give him a look that says I told you so.

“It’s all good, she’s just got an attitude because school starts next week.”

“Sure.” I brush it off because I don’t want to hear his excuses on why his girlfriend acts like she’s single.

“Seriously, when is Coach telling the team he’s making the change?”

“I don’t know. It’s up to him. I’m not even sure I want it.”

Jack was made captain at the end of last season, and the same weekend he was arrested for getting drunk and drag racing on the edge of town. His dad is a lawyer and greased a few hands to get him off and keep it quiet. A couple of weeks ago, we started pre-season practices, and it’s been obvious that Jack hasn’t done any conditioning since the end of last season. He’s not taking it seriously, and the whole team has noticed. Coach pulled me aside and said he made a mistake with making Jack captain and asked if I’d take the lead instead.

Not only will it create tension between Jack and me but also between the people who still support him. I don’t want anyone on the team turning on me or for this to cause a rift and hurt our chances at a winning season.

I’ve got everything riding on this. It’s just me and my mom since my dad died three years ago, and I need every bit of scholarship money I can get. She’s got her own hair salon in town and does well enough, but there’s no extra money for college. My grades are good, and I stay out of trouble and work hard for everything I’ve got. I don’t want team politics to threaten that when it’s my last year. I’d rather ride the bench and play nice, but it seems like other people are making decisions for me.

“Don’t want it?” Shaun laughs. “You’re probably the first player ever to say that.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” I say, then I feel a hand smack me on the shoulder from behind.

“You talking about getting your dick wet, Big Tate?” Jack says, and I want to cringe. He’s already slurring his words. “Nah, not a little bitch like you. You’re probably saving it for marriage.”

“Sure, Jack,” I say evenly because I’m not taking the bait when he’s this drunk. He won’t even remember this conversation.

“It’s all right. When you’re ready to get some pussy, come see me.” Some of his friends have followed him over, and I hear a couple of them laugh. “Hey, shut the fuck up,” he barks, and a few of them stop.

“What’s his problem?” Shaun asks one of the players named Nick.

“He’s just mad he got rejected today,” Nick says, and another player in the back pipes up.

“Shut down, tight.” The guys start razzing Jack, but he’s not taking the joke.

“Fuck that bitch. She didn’t know who I was. Just wait until she sees me on the field. She’ll be getting in line to suck this dick!” He shouts the last part while some people laugh and some cheer him on.

I’ll never understand the people that worship at the altar of guys like Jack. Maybe it’s because of his dad or because they’re bored, but from what I've seen, he hasn’t earned an ounce of respect from any of them. The longer I’m around Jack, the more respect I lose for him.

“It’s late,” I say quietly to Shaun as I try to slip out, but Jack must have somehow overheard it.

“Where’s Big Tate going?” He talks loudly over the crowd, and I know he’s pushing to cause a scene. “Coach’s golden boy is ready for night-night.”

“Yep.” I decide to agree with him because it’s easier than arguing.

“You know, you’re lucky.” He takes a drink from his beer while I stand there and wait for him to finish his thought. I should leave, but I don’t want to cause more drama or rifts in the team.

“Yeah, why is that?”

“You don’t have to worry about playing like shit.” His eyes are glazed over and bloodshot, and I wonder if he’s done more than just drink tonight. “It’s not like your dad’s going to see it.”

Even though the music is blaring and people are talking over it and it’s loud as fuck, it’s like everything goes quiet when Jack says those words.

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