Page 36 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

Aaron

I decided notto confront Mom or Coach Ford. Poppy was right, I knew they were only trying to protect me. And the truth was I wasn’t ready to hear that I wasn’t good enough.

It was Friday and I had a game to think about. Moping could come later when we headed to Deacon’s—our second string QB—house to party.

There were still two colleges on the table. It wasn’t over yet, and maybe I had been shooting a little high with Pittsburgh. But I’d hoped my work ethic and consistency would make up for the areas I lacked.

“Okay, ladies, look alive.” Coach breezed into the locker room in that calm, collected way of his.

“Marshall Prep have a big defense this year, so keep your eyes open and give Cole and Ezra enough room to do their thing. Talk to me, Kandon, how are you feeling?”

“Good, Coach.” Cole ran a hand down over his head. “I’m ready.”

“Hell yeah, you are. And how’s my star receiver looking? Ready to burn up the field?”

Ezra’s brows furrowed as he rubbed his jaw. “Yeah, sure.”

Shit. He couldn’t be less enthused if he tried. Ezra had been handed a golden opportunity by Coach Ford, but he didn’t want it, not really. And it was so frustrating because he was good. Really fucking good.

He could go all the way.

‘What?’ Ezra mouthed and I shook my head.

“Three games in, seven to go. Keep your eye on the prize, ladies. I have a good feeling about this season. Okay, get in here.”

The clatter of everyone’s cleats against the floor filled the locker room as we all piled in. Shoulder to shoulder, player to player.

“Raiders on three,” Coach said, locking eyes on me. “Aaron, do the honors, son.”

Inhaling a steady breath, trying to shake off the weight of his stare, the secret between us—the one he didn’t know I knew—I cleared my throat and bellowed. “We play hard. Fight hard. Love hard. Who are we?”

“Raiders!” The team roared back at me.

“I said who are we?”

“RAIDERS!”

“Then let’s shout the roof off and let everyone know. Raiders on three. One… two… three… RAIDERS!”

The word reverberated inside me, a battle cry I would never tire of hearing. Except this was it, my final season. After this year, there would be no more Raiders. If everything went to plan, I would be starting out on a new team, having to prove myself and earn my place all over again.

A trickle of unease went through me but I shoved it down. Now was not the time to worry about things beyond my control. We had a game to win.

“Okay let’s get out there and give the crowd something to cheer about.”

“Ready?” Cole clapped me on the shoulder and I nodded. “You sure you’re good?”

“Yeah, let’s go.” I pulled on my helmet and followed the rest of the team out.

The roar of the crowd rumbled like thunder in the distance, pulsing inside of me, making adrenaline pump through my veins. It was hard not to get swept up in the frenzy. The way they worshiped and adored us. I’d always kept a fairly level head where the fans were concerned, but something felt different this year.

Senior year.

My final season as a Raider.

I wanted to lap up every morsel of praise, of my name on their lips. Bennet, Bennet, Bennet. They didn’t care if I was the best or the star player or the one calling the shots. They cared that I was part of the team, that I was Rixon royalty because my dad had once played on this very field with his two best friends. One of them being Coach Ford. Football was in my name, the very blood coursing through my veins.

I jogged over to the sideline, scanning the bleachers for our family and friends. Mom and Dad were standing with Poppy’s mom and Ashleigh’s parents. The five of them grinning at me when they spotted me. I waved sheepishly, searching for her.

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