Page 51 of Everything's Better With You
“Okay, break’s over—”
“Coach Judd? You or your assistant ever play sports?”
Joe’s throat tightened and he tried to swallow around it. “Not me. I wasn’t exactly interested in extracurricular activities that required me to stay out of trouble and get good grades,” Joe answered. He raised his eyebrows at Terrell, who sighed.
“Yeah. I played football.”
The room got quiet.
“But…you’re a dancer.”
“Right. And I made that decision after trying to fit in and gain respect by playing varsity football all four years. I was a tight end, heldmy high school’s record for receiving over and above the receivers. I was also out, which made me a target on the field and off. After one too many hits—on the field and off—I said fu…screw it. It wasn’t worth it. No matter how hard I worked, I never had the support of my teammates.”
“That’s bullshit.” A few of the players shared that sentiment. Others looked at the floor.
“Well, it’s the truth. For a lot of folks,” Joe said. “I’ve had my share of people assume things about me because I’m a dancer, who happens to be gay.” He looked around, challenging any of them to even have a ghost of a smirk. “I hope none of you ever have to experience the feeling that your friends, teammates, or coaches don’t have your back. And I hope no one in this room ever does the deserting.”
The room was dead silent and Joe’s gut clenched, that feeling of dread he’d get before casting announcements were made.
“Terrell?”
One of the kids, one who had been making smart-assed comments when they came in, had his hand up.
“Yeah?”
He tilted his head to the side. “Your team should have been there for you. On and off the field.”
Terrell cleared his throat and nodded, then looked to Joe.
“You're right,” Joe said. “Make sure none of your teammates go through that.” He looked around and saw a little more respect going around. “Now, we’re not finished here, so everyone up.”
“Man. Is this the kind of shit cheerleaders do at practice?” One of the players who had been groaning the whole time and who had gotten louder as the practice went on, stood with his hands on his hips. “This blows, man.”
Joe and Terrell looked at each other. “Want to show them what else we do at practice?”
Terrell nodded. “Yeah, Coach.”
Coach.That title still felt odd to Joe. He’d been called an asshole, a diva, and by Marti, a brat. The idea of him as a leader was just…ridiculous. But then he thought of Leslie and the faith he had in Joe’s abilities, and he stood a little taller.
“Let’s start with jump drills.”
Terrell nodded and the two of them proceeded to do ten perfect toe-touches in a row. Then they did herkies. The footballers all made appreciative sounds and had shocked expressions.
“What’s next?” Joe asked Terrell, only slightly winded and grateful his knees were cooperating.
“Tumbling runs?” Terrell said.
“Good call. Hey, will you guys grab two of those mats, please?”
Five of the footballers hurried over and unrolled the nice mats the high school had tucked in the corner. Terrell stretched out his wrists first, then his forearms. Joe spoke close to his ear.
“I’ll follow your lead.”
Terrell’s eyebrows went up. “Anything in particular?”
Joe looked around at the waiting faces. “Start out slow. Then wow them.”
“Yes, Coach.”
