Page 97 of Thunderstruck
“What practices?You were hardly there for them.” I bite my tongue as soon as the words leave my mouth. But like I told Carissa, I’m too tired tonight to be rational, and after Coach spent ten minutes lauding his coaching skills as we were changing, my patience level is at an all-time low.
He chuckles but narrows his eyes. “Is something bothering you, Evanson?”
Everything about this man bothers me. Even when he does show up to practice, it’s not like he does anything to benefit the team. I’ve had a hellish day and I want to go to bed so it can be tomorrow and I can talk to Carissa and figure out a way to stop being so afraid to let her into my life.
“Nothing at all, sir,” I say instead of the truth. “I’m sure the team would like to get some sleep, so we should probably—”
“After your stellar performance today, I’m beginning to think you and I could do great things together on the back end. Turn this team into something more…lucrative.”
Cold dread washes over me, leaving me chilled to the bone as I stare at the familiar glint of greed in his eyes. My last coach said almost exactly the same thing to me two years ago. I had had my suspicions for a while, when some of my guys fumbled plays they knew by heart and weren’t bothered by the mistakes, but when the Badgers’ coach asked if I was interested in making some extra cash by tweaking the outcomes of games, I knew for sure. The team was corrupt, driven by rich men hoping to get richer.
And the worst part is I almost agreed. Sage had been pestering me to try to get more recognition and a better contract once mine was up at the end of the season, as if my salary of millions wasn’t enough. Iwasworking on a contract, but when Sage learned about the corruption, she tried to convince me it was an opportunity too good to pass up. Anyone in the inner circle of the betting ring was making farmore than their regular paychecks could ever get them, and I was in a unique position to affect entire games, not just single plays.
Swallowing, I grip the strap of my bag and do my best to keep my expression neutral. “All we have to do is win more games.”
“Sure, sure,” Coach says, rubbing his hands together, “but I’m talking about lucrative for you specifically. I know you know what I mean, coming from the Badgers and their…special strategies. It would be like a bonus for—”
“Sir, I’m here to play rugby. I don’t want more than that. And I’ll only be your captain until Auxier is healed and back to full strength.”
Coach scoffs, looking down his nose at me now. “Auxier may never see a game again.”
“Is that a threat?” The question slips out of me before I can stop it, even though it would probably be better to pretend I have no clue what he means.
He laughs, shaking his head. “It’s business, Evanson. Something you clearly don’t understand. I’ll admit I’m disappointed, but I should have expected as much from a gutless quitter.” He steps past me, shoulder bumping into mine, but stops a few feet away and looks back. “How long do you think you’ll last in this sport before you move on to something new? Another year? Less?” Grinning wickedly, he turns on his heel and disappears down the tunnel.
My bag slips from my shoulder, landing with a thump at my feet as the last few minutes replay in my head. Coach Galvin is just as bad as the Badgers. Maybe worse. Moxie’s career with the Thunder might be in jeopardy.Mycareer might be under threat. And what happens if Coach convinces some of the guys to team up with him? There’s not enough money in rugby to cause any real problems, but… But what if that changes? Coach clearly knows what’s going down with my old team and seems to have plans to start his own scheme.
Cursing under my breath, I dig into my bag for my phone and ignore the two texts Carissa has sent me to ask where I am. Instead I dial my dad’s number and hope he hasn’t gone to bed yet.
I need advice. Desperately.
He answers after two rings. “Hey, Lemon! Congrats on the—”
“The Badgers were corrupt. Rigging games and stats to boost certain bets.”
He’s quiet for a long beat before he clears his throat. “Uh, Gramps is here too.”
I curse, switching the phone to my other ear as I start to pace. I barely wanted to tell my dad the truth, and I worry Gramps will try to do something to fix the problem and get himself into trouble.
“Watch that language,” Gramps chides. “You’re not with that girlfriend of yours, are you?”
“She’s not my…” She’s not my what? I’m in love with the woman, and she clearly wants to be with me. But I don’t know if it’s a good idea to date her, especially now, so what am I supposed to call Carissa?
“How long has this corruption been happening?” Dad asks, thankfully steering the conversation back to the important matter.
“I don’t know,” I say as I pace. “Since before I left.”
“Were you—”
“No.” I’m so glad that I can tell him that truth, even if the rest of this conversation sucks. “It’s why I got out when my initial contract was up. I didn’t want to be a part of anything like that.”
“Why haven’t we heard about this?” Gramps asks. “That would be a big story.”
“It would be if I had ever told anyone about it,” I agree. “But there are good guys on that team, and if this got out, it would ruin their careers.”
Dad hums thoughtfully. “I always knew I raised you right, Cole.”
“Only because I raisedyouright, Aug,” Gramps throws in. “Why tell us now?”
