Page 23 of Forever Cursed

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Raina admits. “Are they hot?”

I can’t help but snort in response. Maybe she’s not entirely like Gwen. I open my mouth to respond, but I’m cut off by a naturally soothing voice.

“Good morning, everyone,” Professor Clastis announces.

Her heels clack against the tile as she strolls to the front of the room, and her black pinwheel curls bounce with her strides.Crossing her arms over her chest, she leans against the desk and examines the room. Her hot chocolate eyes land on me, and she flashes me her flawless smile.

“Who’s ready to evaluate some football players?”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Chapter Thirteen

Rome

The first week of practice is abnormally brutal. We spend the first day going over plays and drills. On the second day, we’re on the field putting those plays into action. Today is our third day, and Coach Bradson is in a rare mood. And by that, I mean he’s annoyed and cranky. So, instead of running plays inside since the weather is atrocious today, we’re running laps up and down the field.

I pump my arms to push myself to finish this final lap, and my eyes burn as sweat and dirt fill my vision. My tank top clings to my body, and my shorts are drenched as I begin to sweat in places I didn’t think were humanly possible.

“Move your ass, Carter!” Bradson shouts from the sideline.

I want to shout back and yell at him to pick on someone else, but there’s a reason he’s singling me out. He knows I’m one of his top players and wants me to be the best.

Pushing myself harder, I pass Malik and Levi. They curse as they try to overtake me, but I’m too fast.

I nearly stumble across the end zone. My knees buckle when I come to a halt, and I gasp for air that doesn’t satisfy my hunger for oxygen.

“That’s how you do it!” Bradson claps as more guys collapse into the end zone.

Grabbing a bottle of scorching hot water, I down it without a care in the world.

“Keep that up, Carter, and you’ll find yourself a first-round pick.” Coach pats my back as I double over.

I give him a thumbs-up before wiping the sweat from my brow.

“All right, go shower and get changed. Meet me in the conference room in twenty minutes.”

The field fills with groans and mumbles.

“What did we get ourselves into this time?” Levi whispers to me.

Standing upright, I scan the field to try and gauge the situation.

“Only one way to find out.”

Washing off the grime was more than satisfying. I don’t normally take cold showers, but today, I required one. I have to keep reminding the guys to hydrate. The last thing anyone needs is to succumb to heat stroke and dehydration.

Malik is the captain, but he doesn’t take his responsibility as seriously as he should. I don’t think he minds that I’ve stepped in to boost the team or assist the new players. I just wish he would show the team that he cares. A simple “Hey, did you drink water today?” goes a long way.

As I walk out of the locker room, I sigh when the frigid air envelopes me. I stroll across the hall and enter the conference room. Sitting near the back, I spin around in the office chair and savor my water.

“Whatcha do this time, Rome?” Malik asks as he plops down next to me.

“Shouldn’t you be up front?” I ask with a bit of bite in my tone.

“Nah, Coach can handle this.”

He knows what’s about to happen, and he’s relishing it. He wants me to ask so he can withhold the information. I won’t fall into his trap, though. Coach Bradson will soon tell us what’s going on.

---