Page 30 of Stealing for Keeps
He pauses, then shakes his head and smiles. “Nah. They’re busy, and it’s just a scrimmage. Yours?”
“Everyone but my dad. His flight was delayed.”
“Bummer,” Rowan says.
It’s the first time he won’t be at one of my games. Sure, it’s just a scrimmage, but it still feels wrong.
By the time I’m finished getting dressed, I can hear the music and noise on the field. Adrenaline starts to pump inside me. I shift from foot to foot, eager to get out there.
When we walk out, all the guys in front of me hit the top of the doorframe. Rowan says from behind me, “It’s tradition.”
I lift up on my toes and hit the worn spot. At my old school, we had something similar. Every team I’ve been a part of has had their own superstitions and traditions. I’ve always enjoyed the group aspect of soccer. The friendships, the sense of community, and working toward a common goal. I hope eventually this team will feel that way for me. I can’t help but think if I can show them how much I can contribute, that’ll happen sooner rather than later.
I can just make out one side of the field as we walk up toward it. There are bleachers on the near side, but on the far side, people have set up lawn chairs and blankets.
A group of cheerleaders waits for us at the edge of the field. They unroll a large white banner, and over the sound system, I hear a man with a deep, heavily upper Michigan accent say, “And now, let’s meet your Frost Lake High Knights!”
The music changes to something with a heavier beat, and I can’t help but laugh. All this for a scrimmage? At my old school, football was king. People came out for soccer games if there wasn’t anything else going on that night or when we had a big game, but this? This is like nothing I’ve seen.
I glance back at Rowan to find him grinning at me likehe can read my thoughts, and then the line starts to move, and the first guy runs through the paper. As I step out onto the field, a wave of excitement rushes through me. This is what I’ve been working for. Playing in front of a big crowd with a team that is better than any other I’ve been a part of.
We make a lap around the entire field and then split into our teams, each taking one side.
The music continues as we warm up. I scan the bleachers until I find my family. Mom waves, as does Wyatt. Torrance looks like she’d rather be anywhere else. My chest squeezes at the empty spot next to them. Dad should be here.
One of my favorite parts of playing soccer is after the games, talking about it with him. I guess in a way, that’s the only real tradition I’ve had for myself.
I force a grin at Wyatt. He’s bouncing in his seat and pointing, like Mom and Torrance can’t see me for themselves. His excitement is a nice contrast to Torrance. I thought we’d come to some sort of nonverbal peace treaty last week when she snuck in past curfew, but since then, she’s been as cold to me as before.
I scan the bleachers between taking practice shots. There are still a lot of people I don’t know at Frost Lake, but I’m starting to recognize faces. One in particular stands out.
Claire is sitting a few rows up on the bleachers with Brandon and some other guys I recognize as hockey players. A bunch of them are in my world history class.
Several of the girls from the soccer team are sitting in the row directly in front of Claire and her friends. When I lift my hand to wave at her, she looks away. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but I think she might enjoy giving me the cold shoulder. Sophie waves back instead. She, on the other hand, is giving me two very warm shoulders. She’s askedme out almost every day this week. She’s nice and cute. I’m not feeling it with her, but maybe I’ve just been too preoccupied.
I’ve got a fascination with the sassy blond playing hard to get that’s making it difficult to notice anyone else.
Before the game starts, the announcer calls out the coaches and then the players. I spot Lacey and Andie with the other cheerleaders, standing on the field and yelling as each of us runs out to applause from the crowd.
Lacey does some sort of backflip combo as they call my name. She ends with a grin, raising her hands over her head.
I tip my head to her and make a face that I hope shows how impressed I am.
She grins back as she brings her hands to her hips. “Go get ’em, New Guy.”
The game starts out friendly. We’ve been going up against one another every day in practice, so this feels like that with a few more people watching. But when the white team scores the first goal and the scoreboard lights up with it, things get more competitive.
Coach rotates everyone at regular intervals so that we all get the same amount of time on the field. It’s fair and keeps us from getting tired, but I don’t want breaks. I want to be out there.
Rowan and I are rarely on the field at the same time, and the rest of the team is still unsure what to make of me. More than once, I’m wide open, and someone hesitates before passing it to another teammate.
I’m frustrated when Coach subs me out for another breather. The first half is winding down, and I’ve barely touched the ball.
Even with the light atmosphere, I can tell he’s making notes on who will earn starting spots for our first real game next week. I want one of those spots, and I know I deserve it. Now I just have to show him.
Chapter Ten
Claire
