Page 35 of The Kid Sister

“I asked Coach Amer to take a film session,” Dad said, clearing his throat. “I sorted a bunch of videos for the boys to watch.” His jaw clenched as he shoved his hands into his Chargers jacket. “Like your mother says, the hard work’s been done. And it won’t hurt to take a break and focus on the mental side of things.” He huffed a laugh. “In fact, it’ll do some of the boys good to use their brains for once.”

To say I was shocked was an understatement. So much so that I was speechless. I stood there in complete bafflement, trying to absorb Dad’s words. It seemed that he’d listened to me, that he was planning to stay at the hospital, to put aside football for a day and support Granddad, Mom and Nana Nat. Yet my most immediate and pressing thought waswhether anyone had told Sierra.If the team was watching videos, Sierra wouldn’t need to be there.

“Okay, go out and get some air,” Dad ordered, morphing back into coach mode. “Stretch your legs.” It would be too much to think he could forget about training for even a second.

I nodded, heading for the stairwell. I trotted down the stairs, pulling out my phone to check messages. Tennessee, Sawyer and several of the boys had asked about Granddad’s operation, others saying training had been switched to the classroom. But it was only Sawyer I considered texting—could he tell Sierra about the change in training plan.

But someone would likely let her know, and she’d hardly want to hear it from me.

It was so infuriating—the memory of what had happened with Sierra rushed back. If only I’d been more aware, had a warning of what she’d been about to do, then I wouldn’t have acted so cluelessly. So cruelly.

Yeah, I don’t know what I’d been thinking. Only that I regretted it. I wanted the moment back, a re-do, a better ending. One where I’d pulled Sierra closer, returned her kiss, taken control of the kiss.

My ringing phone brought me back into the real world, Mom calling to say Granddad was out of surgery. I dashed back up to his room, arriving just as his bed was wheeled in. His smile was weak, but he was smiling and that was all that mattered.

“I’m good,” he insisted as Nana, Mom and Aunt Hilary fussed over him. “I’ll be sitting front row in the stands on Saturday’s game,” he said, looking at me.

Granddad would need a couple of nights in hospital and have to take it easy for a while, yet I found myself nodding enthusiastically and saying, “If not this week, then definitely for the final, Granddad.”

It was my first proclamation that the Chargers would make it to the state championship final, a big call indeed. But Dad patted my shoulder and said, “Absolutely, son.”

With Granddad needing to rest, Aunt Hilary suggested going out for lunch. I was thankful I had the freshmen mentoring program and had to excuse myself. Dad did not look pleased.

Bianca Holbrun and I were leading the program today, so we had both prepared speeches which I wanted to go over before we started. Meeting in the cafeteria seemed like a good idea because I could grab a sandwich on the way, but I never stopped to think I might see Sierra.

She was sitting with her friend, and I couldn’t decide whether I should say something to her or pretend I hadn't seen her. Telling her about the change in training would be a legitimate reason to approach her, even though she probably knew, but Siri was sticking to me like a leech, expressing her profound sorrow over my Granddad like she hadn’t heard me say he’d come through surgery with flying colors.

With minutes before the bell was due to ring, Miss Piatti led our group out of the cafeteria. I could see we were going to pass right by Sierra’s table and my mind was made up—I’d stop. I wouldn’t have time to apologize, but at least I’d let her know things between us were cool. I inhaled deeply in anticipation that I needed a clear head, but Siri saw it as something else—maybe nerves—and she grabbed my arm.

“Hey, you’ll be great. This will be fun,” she said, attaching herself to me, a prisoner at her side. “You know, I can’t wait for you to see our special cheer for the semifinal.” Siri rambled on, but all I could see was the back of Sierra’s head, her wavy hair gathered into a long ponytail, tied with a thick gold band.

Only footsteps away, but I meekly let Siri guide me away, the opportunity lost. In a way I was relieved, the decision out of my hands.

As the door swung shut behind me, words my father had shouted at me echoed in my brain.

Weak. Pathetic. Useless.

Maybe he’d been right the whole time, because that’s exactly how I was acting. Wrenching myself from Siri’s hold, I turned around, grabbing the door handle. All I had to do was tell Sierra she wouldn’t be needed at training today. And in a subtle way she might realize that I hadn’t meant to break away from her kiss.

“Um, wait a minute,” I said when Siri asked what I was doing.

I opened the door, my eyes seeking Sierra—but I was too late, a second too late.

Because seated next to Sierra, with his arm draped around the back of her chair, Redmond Phillips had beaten me to it.

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