Page 18 of Comeback
“Sorry. Can you repeat the last part?” I ask, hating having to ask but not wanting to miss anything.
“Of course.” Coach nods and explains it all again. This time I don’t miss a single word. In fact, for the next thirty minutes, while he makes sure we’re all solid and ready to go, I hardly blink.
After we meet as a group, we each chat with him individually. I hang back to go last and when it’s finally my turn, he greets me with a smile.
“How are you doing, Holland?” He crosses his arms over his chest in his signature pose, but he doesn’t have his intimidating stare that he reserves for games and practice.
“Great. I’m ready to go.”
“Glad to hear it. We’re going to need all the help we can get making it into the end zone this week. Denver’s defense is tough.”
I nod my agreement.
“You had a tough season last year and I know things are different now with Graham joining the team, but I’m looking to see you step things up and contribute this year.” He doesn’t say it like a threat, but I hear the unspoken message: If you don’t, then you’re no fucking good to the team.
Okay, he’d never say anything that harsh. Sure, he loves to yell at us when we’re screwing up or slacking off, but one-on-one, he’s a levelheaded guy and I know he cares about each of us.
“Yes, sir.”
“We’re still working out the kinks and seeing who meshes the best together, but we’ll get there. Keep fighting and we’ll get you some playing time this year.”
With that rousing pep talk, I head to the locker room. Brogan is sitting on the bench, pulling on his shoes when I walk in.
He must read the defeat on my face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I say, then sign,I’m just pissed that I’m not starting. I want that spot so bad.
And I hate that it’s Graham in my place.
“It’ll be yours soon enough,” he says it so confidently, but then again, he’s my best friend. Of course, he wants to believe that.
Changing the topic, I ask, “What are you doing tonight?”
“Actually, I was going to ask you the same thing. I’m going to make dinner at the apartment, sort of a housewarming for Sabrina.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t look so glum.” He cuffs me on one shoulder. “London is going to supervise so I don’t ruin dinner.”
I force a smile. The food wasn’t even a consideration in the change of my emotion.
“I’ll see you at home,” he says, heading out.
After he’s gone, I sigh and get changed, taking my time and delaying going home as long as possible. I hoped that just because she was living with us, I wouldn’t have to interact much with Sabrina. But something tells me that was a pipe dream.
When I get to the apartment, Brogan and London are in the kitchen and Sabrina stands nearby. Her long red hair is pulled up, leaving her neck bare. She’s wearing jean shorts and a baggyT-shirt. Nothing about her appearance suggests she’s trying to look sexy, but fuuuuck.
“Hey,” I say to no one in particular, dragging my gaze away from her.
“Will you take her, so she stops trying to help.” Brogan turns his sister around by the shoulders and walks her out of the kitchen.
Take her? What the hell am I supposed to do with her? About a dozen thoughts, all completely inappropriate, play out in my head.
What the fuck?I cannot be fantasizing about my best friend’s sister. And my new roommate.
“I don’t mind,” she says. “Helping is the least I can do.”
“This dinner isforyou. You can’t help make it.” Brogan stops and crosses his arms over his chest. “Hang with Archer. He’s good at doing nothing.”
