Page 33 of Breaking Rules
Chapter Ten
MONTANA
Islowedto a walk as I kept Train in sight. He looked as scrumptious as ever in his football uniform minus the helmet, although I preferred him in swim trunks. He palmed the ball, glowering at me. Coach had asked me earlier that day if I was still interested in trying out. I’d debated for the last two days on whether to go through with the tryout or not. I could throw a football, but that was where my talent ended. Honestly, when I’d spoken to Coach, he didn’t give any indication he would give me a shot, although the scuttlebutt from Austin said otherwise.
But since I’d made such a big stink, puffing my chest out as though I were queen of the field, I couldn’t back out now even if I made myself come off as a twit, jackass, and all the other words that would describe my inability to play football.
But my Nana Smith had always said, “Do as you say you’re going to do. Otherwise, no one will trust you.”
I might not have cared how I looked on the field, but trust was important to me. Deep down, I wanted Train to trust me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Elvira walking down to stand next to Austin. I’d texted her to come support me, but I wasn’t sure if she would. We were in the infancy stages of our friendship, and we hadn’t discussed in detail what her thoughts were on me trying out.
I settled in front of Train with my pulse sprinting.
“You seem nervous,” he said, sounding relieved.
Understatement of the year.“Not at all.”
“None of the guys want you on the team. I know you’re only doing this to piss me off.” His tone was snide.
“Do you want me on the team?”
He studied me for the longest moment. “You don’t belong on the team.”
“Why? Because you think girls should be barefoot and pregnant?”
He squinted his beautiful peepers at me. “Coach wants us to throw. So go long.”
I’d watched enough football to know that I had to run and keep my eye on the quarterback at the same time. The problem was I had a wandering eye. I checked on the team, who were all holding their breath. When I flipped my gaze back to Train, the ball was soaring in the air, a perfect spiral, heading right for me. I held up my arms, my stomach knotting and nausea ready to spurt out, as I darted right then left, hoping and praying I could catch the ball.I can do this,I chanted until the ball landed square in my chest, punching the wind out of me as I fell on my ass.
Titters and snorts ensued from the football team. I was grateful the whole school wasn’t there.
“Don’t let them bother you!” Elvira shouted. Maybe she was on my side.
I brushed myself off in an attempt to soothe my ego as I picked up the ball then threw a perfect spiral back to Train.
Someone whistled.
“Austin!” Coach yelled. “Get out there and set her up for a kick on the twenty-yard line.”
Oh, this ought to be fun. Not.I didn’t know the first thing about kicking.
Train tossed the ball to Austin as he ran out to me.
“I have no idea what I’m doing,” I said to Train’s best friend. “I can throw a football, but that’s about it. I only wanted to mess with Train. God, now I look like an idiot.”
“No, you don’t,” he said. “Trust me when I say there are guys out there who would get excited to see you throw the ball the way you do. Hell, I’m one of them. And Train is another. But don’t do this unless your heart is in it. The team has put their heart and soul into every season. To be frank, we don’t need a person—guy or gal—on the team who doesn’t want to be here.”
“I’m not a quitter. I had to at least follow this through.”
“You’re not done yet. Let’s see that kick.” Austin set up the ball. “Please don’t kick my arm.”
I busted out laughing. “Then you’ve been warned.”
I focused on the ball and thought about all those NFL kickers I’d watched kick a football. I shuffled back about five feet then ran forward. Just before I reached the ball, I pointed my right foot down toward the ground then kicked. When my foot connected with the football, pain shot up my leg. I bit back any screams or swear words while I watched the ball dribble down the field from my pathetic kick.
“Montana!” Coach shouted.
