Page 33 of On Her Team
The seasoned players clap while the rookies appear nervous. As they should be. They’re in for a world of hurt if they don’t make weight.
“Nolan,” Coach hollers. “You’re up.”
The quarterback always goes first. He sets the tone.
Nolan springs to his feet and executes a crisp salute. “Yes, Coach Cha-Cha.”
Coach Knox rolls his eyes. “The rest of you line up.”
I whip off my shirt and remove my watch before placing it in my chair. I check my messages one more time – still nothing from Addy – before setting my phone next to my watch.
Once I’m dressed in a pair of loose shorts, I get in line behind Tanner, Brock, and Corbin.
“How was your date last night?” Tanner asks Brock.
Brock’s brow furrows. “I didn’t have a date.”
Tanner raises an eyebrow. “You didn’t go toWok the Plankwith May and Jace?”
“How the hell do you know where I was last night? Are you stalking me?”
“It’s not stalking if I happen to pass by the restaurant and catch you flirting with May.”
Brock’s nostrils flare. “You happened to pass byWok the Plank?”
“Wok the Plank?” Corbin asks.
“It’s a Chinese restaurant. May’s parents own it,” Brock explains.
“You met the parents already? Brock is a fast mover.”
Brock growls at Tanner. “Knock it off, or I’ll tell the whole room who you’ve been dating.”
“Go ahead. I’m not dating anyone.”
“Not even a cute bartender?”
“Alaia and I are friends. Nothing more.”
Tanner elbows me. “How’s your friend doing?”
I wish I knew. My hand itches for my phone. Although the chance Addy responded in the three minutes since the last time I checked is slim. Slimmer than slim, guessing by the way smoke came out of her ears when I offered her Jerry’s number.
I was just trying to help. I didn’t expect her to lose her mind. Addy never responds the way I expect her to. Which I usually find refreshing. But not this time.
“Tanner!” Coach points to the scale. “Shoes off. Step on the scale.”
Tanner dashes to the scale and jumps on. “Tada!” Coach writes down his weight. “Nailed it!”
“Ten bucks says he eats himself sick at lunch,” Nolan says.
“Pass.” I’ve watched Tanner eat himself sick too many times after weigh-ins. I’m not taking that bet.
“Brock!” Coach yells.
Brock kicks off his shoes before pushing his shorts and underwear to the floor.
Tanner barks out a laugh. “You’re going to have to take off more than your clothes to make weight.”
