Page 34 of Between the Boards
His gaze sharpens as he looks me up and down.
“And you don’t just abandon family when things get tough,” he says. “I learned that the hard way, and I’ll be damned if I have someone on the team willing to make that same mistake.”
“I’m not leaving,” I say firmly. “I wouldn’t have come back if I was planning on coming back.”
“I know that,” he says, a line forming between his brows. “But your team? They don’t believe you’re going to stay, and you’re not focused on fixing things with them, instead you’re focused on what I’m doing.”
My jaw tightens. “How am I supposed to win them over as a sub?”
“I’m not asking you to impress them,” he says. “I’m asking you to make them trust that you won’t disappear the second things get messy again.”
“Everything good over here?” Griffin calls, coming up behind me. “Everyone’s heading to the Kooky Coconut to celebrate the new members joining the team. You two coming?”
Coach Matthews’ expression shifts instantly, as if our conversation never happened.
“I’ve got to get back to my wife and the twins,” he says, already turning away, but then he looks back at me with a knowing look in his eyes. “But you should join them, Colton. Good place to start.”
Frustration simmers under my skin as I watch him walk off. I’ve stayed through the crappy substitute pay, the constant benching at competitions, and the lack of feedback.
What more does he want from me?
“Are you coming? Griffin asks, resting a hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah. “I exhale slowly. “Just let me change first.”
The Kooky Coconutis filled with the loud sounds of music, obnoxious laughter, and the constant clink of glasses. This close to the ocean, the smell of salt still clings to everything, mixing with the smell of alcohol.
I sit at the bar, elbow propped up to support my head, bottle in hand as I stare straight ahead. Behind me, the team cheers, welcoming the new members.
Must be nice, I think to myself.
“Someone’s looking miserable.”
I glance sideways, watching as Kairi slides onto the stool next to me, curls still damp, catching the low light. She smells like coconut and vanilla.
“Hey stranger,” I say, lifting my bottle slightly. “Didn’t think you were coming.”
She shrugs. “My hair took a while to detangle today.”
I look at the imperfectly perfect curls that fall over her shoulders. “It looks good.”
Her lips twitch. “Thanks.”
She calls over the bartender and orders a mojito, then turns in her seat to stare at me.
“What?” I ask.
“You’re upset.”
“I’m not.”
She raises a brow. “You just rolled your eyes.”
I take a drink. “Still not upset.”
“Wow,” she murmurs. “Denial too? This is serious.”
I huff out a quiet laugh despite myself. She always manages to make me feel better, even when I feel my worst.
