Page 94 of Everything's Better With You
The noise in Joe’s head was so loud it drowned out the noise from the kids and he didn’t realize they were calling his name. He turned around in his seat and they waved him over. Leslie was asleep so he shushed them as he scooted down the aisle to where his hype squad was sitting.
“So tell us more about Nationals.”
Joe smiled. “Nationals are in Ypsilanti, Michigan in March. We’ll be competing against the finalists from all of the NAIA conferences.”
“Michigan? In March? I thought it was in Florida and we were going to get to soak up the rays!”
Joe smiled. “Florida is UCA championships, and they’re in January. We’d be competing against NCAA teams if we went there. Unfortunately, Greenvale has only been competing in NAIA for the past ten years and there aren’t enough funds for us to go to bothcompetitions. Plus we need to get permission from the administration.”
“But all the fundraising? Didn’t we raise like a shit-ton of money?” Gino asked. “No offense?”
“Yeah, we did, but some of that money is going to replace the fitness center equipment. We’ve raised enough to meet our goal, but I still want to beat football.” Joe grinned. “If we win Nationals, that will make a big difference for next year. The team will be able to request that they participate in both competitions.”
David, Ivan, and Gino stroked their nonexistent goatees. Joe’s rules meant a clean-shaven squad.
“So you’re saying if we work hard enough, next year we can escape the Midwest chill in January and compete in Florida?”
Joe barked out a laugh. “Sure, it’s possible.”
“And you’ll get us there, right?”
All three young men leaned in, waiting for an answer.
“I’d like to. I’m going to be submitting my plans to the president for the dance degree program next week and we’ll see. If they like it, maybe they’ll keep me around. But you guys have me for this year. We’ll go to Nationals and we’ll crush it.”
He put out his fist and the guys fist-bumped him.
“And we’ve got basketball season, right?”
“Right,” Joe said, pleased his three conscripts were so enthused. They kept their heads together brainstorming actions for basketball season and soon the bus was turning into the Athletic Center parking lot.
“Clean up your messes,” Joe said, springing into action. He hurried to Les’s side and gently nudged him.
“We’re back, babe.”
Leslie’s eyes fluttered open and he winced at the light.
“Migraine?” he asked.
Leslie nodded and Joe went down the steps in front of him to support him if he needed it.
“Thanks,” he said once they reached the lot.
“Let me send these kids back to their dorms and I’ll drive you home.”
“No, Joe. I’m fine.”
“Leslie, please. Wait a few minutes?”
Leslie sighed and Joe did a once-over of the bus, picking up a couple of stray wrappers but otherwise proud of the kids for being neat.
When he got back, Leslie was waving goodbye to the last of the kids. It was chilly but not raining yet.
“Leslie, what happened?”
“What did you hear from your agent?”
Joe shifted his weight. How could he bring the opportunities up without Leslie panicking? And was that even his job? To protect Leslie’s feelings? He’d been honest. The whole time.
