Page 41 of Thunderstruck
Difficult though it may be.
Chapter Thirteen
Cole
“Evanson! A word.” Coachwaves me forward as the rest of the guys shuffle toward the locker room at the end of practice.
I consider pretending I didn’t hear him, but I know that’s a bad idea. Still, I don’t like the way the team starts grumbling about special treatment as they pass me. Internally groaning, I reluctantly follow Coach to the edge of the pitch, wincing when he puts an arm around my shoulders.
I felt like I was making some headway with the team today. We were meshing better than usual, and some of the guys even joked around with me in between drills. But Coach treating me like his best buddy isn’t going to win me any favors. They already think I boughtmy way onto the team.
“You’re looking great out there, Evanson.” Coach speaks louder than he needs to, which garners some glances back from those still within hearing distance. Bean is one of those, glaring at me despite Moxie talking to him as they walk. “Better than ever, I’d say.”
“Today was a good day,” I mutter. And it was. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t have a cloud hanging over me and making everything fuzzy and muted. It makes no sense, considering I lay awake for a long time last night while my thoughts battled for dominance. Half of me wants to keep building this friendship with Carissa, while the other half wants to stay as far from her as I can get. Neither half is taking the lead. I should be exhausted, but I’m not.
With his arm still around me, Coach leans in close. Too close for my comfort. “I’ve been thinking, son.” I wish he wouldn’t call me that, but at least we’re alone on the pitch now. “What this team really needs is someone who can lay down the law. Someone who isn’t afraid to make enemies.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. “Sir?”
“This team needs a captain who won’t coddle his wings when they’re falling behind.”
A curse slips off my tongue. Is he saying he wants to replace Moxie as captain? “Auxier is the best captain in the league.”
“Maybe.” He rubs his chin, squinting up at the sky. “But what ifyoucould be better?”
Swearing again, this time far louder than I should, I slip out from under his arm, shaking my head with vehemence. He wantsme? “Sir, with all due respect, I can’t—”
“Don’t be modest, son. I know how well you led the Badgers in your heyday. Any quarterback that can get his team to the Super Bowl can lead a bunch of idiots on a rugby pitch.”
Does he have any idea how stupid he sounds? This ishisteam. And none of these players are idiots. We may not be top of the league rightnow, but we have more wins than we do losses and have been getting better all season. Thanks toMoxie. If he putsanyonein Moxie’s place, this team will crumble.
Putting me in there will be a disaster.
“Sir, my objection isn’t about my own skills.” I choose my words carefully, knowing things could get worse if I get on Coach’s bad side. “The team respects Auxier in a way they’ll never respect me.”
“That’s because you haven’ttakentheir respect, Evanson.”
I clench my hands into fists. “I’m not—”
“Think about it. This could mean big things for you in the rugby world, and I know you’re not the type to pass on an opportunity. Just say the word, and you’ll have the power.”
“I don’t want—”
“I’m glad we understand each other.” Clapping his hand to my back, he heads for his office without a glance back.
As soon as he’s gone, I let out a yell and kick a ball someone left on the pitch. It flies toward the other end of the pitch in a smooth arc, almost better than any kick I’ve done intentionally. I can’t be impressed with myself because my anger keeps building with nowhere for it to go.
There are so many things wrong with Coach’s mindset. I meant it when I said Moxie is the best captain out there. He keeps a cool head, gets along with everyone, and isn’t afraid to step in when his teammate is wallowing over a girl who dumped him months ago. And that says nothing about his playing. He could easily be playing for a national team anywhere in the world, but he likes to keep his life small.
But if Coach took him out as captain? I don’t know what that would do to him. Moxielovesthis team.
Growling, I wish I had another ball to kick because I can’t go to the locker room and look Moxie in the eye. But I also can’t stand here and hope my frustration wanes on its own.
Today was going so well. Carissa picked me up right on time and spent the drive singing along to one of Liam’s songs on the radio. The whole team was looking sharp on drills, and our practice plays were the best we’ve ever done.
Why did Coach have to decide to show up and ruin everything?
Carissa finds me pacing the try zone near the tunnel, her bag slung over her shoulder and a wariness in her eyes that pulls me to a stop immediately. “Are you okay?” she asks.
