Page 76 of We Shouldn't Be Together
Ugh, no. She’s not sweet, she’s the dev—
Who am I kidding? I can’t call her those names anymore.
I text,"Thanks."
I hit play on the podcast episode. Leaving my phone on my nightstand, I roll over, falling asleep to the vision of Tabitha’s long lashes and pouty mouth.
***
The next day, the mood at the soccer field is electric. The crowd is ready to cheer us on, and our team is ready to go after a string of drills this morning.
“One touch,” Coach says, gripping my shoulder before I run onto the field. “You buy the defense time and stay ten steps ahead. You hear me?”
I nod, jogging on the spot. “I got it, Coach.”
Coach releases my shoulder and slaps me on the back. “Get out there, Cap.”
“Yes, Coach,” Tyler says, jogging past me and onto the field.
I puff out a laugh, following Tyler onto the field. “He was talking to me.”
“As far as the refs are concerned,” Tyler calls out, “I’m captain today.”
“Pfft.Since when?”
Tyler turns around, jogging backwards. “Since we’re alternating weeks.”
“Don’t you think it’s ridiculous we have two captains?”
Tyler smirks. “Yeah. You should abdicate.”
“I’d quit breathing first.”
Before I know it, Tyler’s taking part in the coin toss with the other team’s captain. In my head, I call tails.
“Tails,” the ref calls out, lifting the coin high. He then signals to the other team’s captain. “Your call.”
The other team points in the direction they want to play, and it’s already a poor start. What was Coach thinking? Tyler can’t even call a coin toss right.
Tyler jogs toward the goal with a big grin, and I just have to ask, “What are you so happy about?”
He hangs a thumb at the goal. “It’s the way I would’ve called it.”
I can’t help cracking a smile. Dang it. Nothing ever gets him down. I can already tell he’ll be laser focused, protecting our goal. It’s the whole reason I can’t shake him as my co-captain.
During the game, it’s surprising how much time I spend with my back to the goal. Mostly when people think of strikers, they think it’s all about kicking goals. And yeah, I rule at that, but there’s so much more to it. Not only do I attack, but defending is a big part of my position.
Over my shoulder, I note open spaces and unmarked players for opportunities where to send the ball if it comes my way. I take a glimpse at our goal and see an opponent fumbling the ball. When one of our defense players runs onto the ball, it’s a mess of feet until the ball rebounds out of the goal circle.
Instinct takes over, and I run onto the ball. With Coach in my head, I make one touch, passing it to our left wing. Tobey paces the edge of the field and gains speed with agile control of the ball. Staying square, I move further into the center, ready for him to pass the ball back.
When I get the ball, I push Coach out of my head. This is all me. I’m itching for that goal, and I want to put the other team in their place early. I dodge their defenders and look ahead to their goalie. He’s sizing me up, but I’m two moves ahead.
Zigzagging my way into the goal circle, I swing my leg back to fire the ball into the goal. The ball bounces off the goalie’s save, but I’m on it. How many touches did Coach say again? Man, he’s screaming on the sidelines.
Back onside, I line up another kick, and this time, the referee blows his whistle when the ball smashes against the back of the goal.
“Yes!” I cheer, jumping into the air.
