Page 6 of Stealing for Keeps
Without looking at me, he says, “What can I do for you, Keller?”
“I wanted to apologize for being late. I got confused about the schedule and went to the gym first.”
He glances over at me. His dark shades keep his eyes hidden, but I can feel his scrutiny. “Were the instructions I sent out not clear?”
“No,” I blurt out quickly. “I mean, yes, they were clear. It was my mistake.” Water drips down my temples, and I swipe it away with the back of my hand. “Anyway, I’m sorry, and it won’t happen again.”
He nods and returns his gaze to the field. “Good.”
I start to walk off, and he says, “Keller?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you usually wear glitter to practice?”
I want to sink into the ground. I glance down at my shirt. Even my hands are covered in it from wiping my face. “No, sir. I had a run-in with a girl holding what I think was an entire glitter aisle as I was rushing out to the field.”
The tiniest smile pulls at the corners of his lips. “Let that be a lesson. Nothing good happens when you show up late to my practices.”
* * *
After another grueling two hours, I’ve survived my first practice. I walk almost numbly with the rest of the guys to the sidelines where our bags are stashed.
“Yo, Disco.”
I’m pulling off my sweaty T-shirt when Rowan walks over. He tips his chin at me.
“I’m stuck with that nickname, aren’t I?” I wipe my face with my shirt and grimace when I somehow find more glitter on it.
“It’s catchy.” He laughs. “Congrats. You made it past day one.”
“Was there any doubt?” I smirk. Aside from showing up late, practice was good. I worked hard, and I kept up with the biggest, fastest guys on the team.
“A bunch of us are going out tonight. Matt Doyle’s family has a camp out on Highway 2. You know the area?”
“Not really,” I admit.
“No problem. Hand me your phone.”
I do, and he puts in his number and hands it back.
“Shoot me your address, and I’ll swing by and pick you up on the way. If you want.”
“Uhh…” I hesitate. “Are you sure it’s cool? We have practice tomorrow.”
He waves me off. “It’ll be chill. Mostly just the guys here and a few other people. It’d be good for you to meet some more of the team. Even our captain will be there. Right, Vaughn?” He opens his stance as the star forward of Frost Lake’s soccer team approaches. “Did you meet Disco here? He did his makeup for us, hoping to make a flashy first impression.”
I wipe my face again, but I’m sure it’s futile.
“Of course I’m coming. Someone has to make sure everyone stays out of trouble,” Vaughn says coolly. He tosses Rowan a practice jersey.
We spent all day in the same groups, which meant I didn’t get to put names with faces, but I recognize Vaughn. He’s the best high school forward in the state. Maybe the country. He’s broken every school record in the state and led Frost Lake to two championships. He’s magic on the pitch. Everything you would expect of Jude Collins’s son.
His blue eyes meet mine and scan me in question.
“I had an unfortunate glitter incident,” I say in case he thinks Rowan is serious.
He cracks a small smile. “You’re Austin Keller, right?”
