Page 77 of Campus Muscle

Frank paused for just a moment, and I found myself walking on without him. When I stopped and looked at him, he stepped back into his stride and quickly caught up. His expression gave nothing away, and that made me a little nervous because he was impossible to read.

“You’ve been my recruit from the beginning. That’s why the plays rely on you, and why the TAs are paying special attention. The talk around town is already gaining momentum, and this season the Highlanders slowly started joining the conversation.”

“What conversation?” I asked as my mouth gradually started drying up.

“The one that revolves around competitive football and the schools in the different conferences. Since you joined, Havenport has become a school worth talking about. You’re scoring touchdowns more often than some NFL players, and that’s something people like me pay attention to.”

Frank paused for a moment and looked from one side of the hallway to the other. We were the only ones there because all the guys had arrived before me. And honestly, it was the most uncomfortable situation I had ever been in. No witnesses. Nobody to see this shady deal going down.

“I want you on my side,” he added eventually. “And I will do whatever it takes to make that happen. Many people will approach you and promise you the world, but I swear I’ll outmatch any other offer. I want to be the one who makes Trace Prescott a star, and I won’t let anyone get in my way.”

“Well, unfortunately for you.” I took a few steps away to put some distance between us. “I’m not for sale to you or anyone else. I’m here to play the game I’m good at, and I’m going to do it my way. Whoever doesn’t like it can take a hike, because the only person who will turn me into anything is me.”

I tossed the keys at his chest and walked away before he could protest, but with each step I took, my breathing became faster and shallower. My heart slammed against the walls of my chest, and a thin layer of sweat spread over my clenched palms. I had never been so angry in my life.

How dare he act like I was his property? In what world was sugar-coated control an acceptable form of slavery? Since Delaney showed up, our entire gameplay had shifted. The guys started looking at me like I wasn’t really part of the team. And Dakota had me wrapped up in some corruption scandal that became more prominent with each word he spoke.

Everyone I cared about was mad at me, and I hadn’t even done anything wrong. I didn’t accept the TA’s help. I didn’t take the car, and my family never cashed the check. Yet, he still acted like he owned me and tried to buy me with bigger, better things. Like I was some mindless child in a candy store. Like money would dull my brain, and I’d do his bidding.

“Do people really fall for that?” I mumbled to myself as I walked right past the locker room.

There was no way I could return to the field after that. I refused to spend more of my time and energy on this madness. This wasn’t about the team or our improvement. It was about who was willing to spend more money on a player. I wasn’t going to allow a bunch of rich assholes to treat us like cattle. I knew my family was in the stands, that they’d driven for hours to finally watch me play. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

They would be disappointed and feel like they had wasted their time, but I was pretty sure my dad would understand when I explained the situation to him. He would be proud that I stood up for myself, and probably happy I did it on the day they could witness it.

So I headed to my busted old Dodge and held onto the torn leather seat as I got in. It wasn’t like the money or car or scholarships wouldn’t have been useful, but until today I had no idea what people meant when they said it came at a cost. These people expected me to sell my soul to them, and then what? I’d have money, but I would be treated like a puppet.

As I closed the door behind me, the starting whistle blew. I put my hands on the steering wheel and rested my head against it. The Seahawks were a tough team to go up against. We knew it. That was why Coach wanted to use our new strategy.

“Confusion overcomes even the best of them,” he had said.

He hoped that we could at least get a draw, but now I’d ruined even that chance. Dylan was still out, and now I didn’t show, which meant Coach would have to use a reserve. That made me the asshole. I was literally the one who was going to stand by and watch my team fail thanks to my attitude. The least I could do was tell Coach why.

With a sigh, I headed back to the stadium, and by the time I got to him, he had just sent the guys back after a timeout. The Seahawks were leading, and my guys looked absolutely defeated.

“Coach!” I called from behind him.

“Trace! There you are. Where have you been? You’ve cost us two whole rounds.” Coach looked angry, but then his gaze shifted to the field and his entire attitude changed. “I was really starting to worry, but now that you’re here, we actually stand a chance.”

“I’m sorry, Coach, but I can’t play. Delaney tried to buy me again, and I just can’t do it anymore. When Dakota publishes her article, my career will be ruined, and it’s all because of him. So I can’t play for him anymore. I’m out of the team.”

“Wait what? Are you telling me you’re going to leave the sport you love because a donor’s becoming too pushy? If everyone did that, football wouldn’t exist. You need to roll with the punches so you can keep showing up for your team.”

The halftime whistle blew, and I turned away so the other guys wouldn’t see me when they ran off the field. Coach motioned for them to head to the locker rooms and wait for him, which was a relief, but at the same time, it made me feel even worse.

“Now we have some time to talk this through,” Coach said as he turned back to me. “When you joined this team, you didn’t do it for a booster. You did it because you liked the sport, and then you became a part of this family. When you played, you didn’t act good to get noticed. You are good, that’s why you got the attention. So why the fuck are you going to throw your talent away for someone you never tried to rope in or impress in the first place?”

“But, Coach—”

He raised his hand. “Why don’t you stop worrying about all the bullshit and start doing what you came here to do? Don’t play the game because Frank told you to, and don’t do it on his terms. Be who you are, and play the game your way. We’re fighting for the playoffs with or without Frank Delaney, and we fucking deserve to get there because that’s why we’ve been working our asses off.”

“Coach, I don’t know…”

“Screw the sponsors, the admin, and anyone who isn’t taking the hits with us. We’re going to the playoffs. We’re doing it our way. That’s what brought us this far and it will take us the rest of the way. You in?”

How could I not be after that? He’d sold it so well I’d be crazy to say no.

“I’m in.”