Page 21 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

The bus chose that moment to ground to a halt.

“Okay, ladies,” Coach stood up at the front. “I don’t need to remind you of my expectations tonight. But I’ll say it one more time anyway. While we’re here you are representing not only yourself and the school but our entire town. Do not let yourselves down. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” went up throughout the bus.

“Okay, get off the bus and head inside. Not you, Bennet. You, I want a word with.”

“Oh, shit,” someone snorted.

“Me and my big fucking mouth.” Aaron shot me a look of pure panic.

“Serves you right, man.” I shrugged, laughter rumbling in my chest as I stood up and grabbed my bag off the overhead rack. “I’ll see you inside.”

“Yeah, if Coach doesn’t murder me and hide my body.”

We all piled off the bus and headed inside. Ezra fell in step behind me. “You good?” he asked.

“I’m fine.”

“You know, she’s going to be okay.” He gave me a sideways glance.

“So everyone keeps telling me.”

“He’ll understand—”

“Nothing to understand.” I cut him off, unwilling to do this right now. We had a game to win. I needed to focus, I needed to get all thoughts of Sofia out of my head.

But it was almost impossible. She was inside me. Buried deep.

Distractions on the field could cost you the game. I needed to remember that. Besides, she was coming tonight. She would be right there in the crowd, cheering us on.

Except she’s still not talking to you, asshole.

“You’re a good guy, Kandon.” Ezra’s big hand landed on my shoulder, squeezing. “She’s lucky to have a guy like you in her corner.”

“I’m not—”

“Yeah, I know.” His lips twitched. “But you want to be.”

It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t answer.

“Fuck, that was intense.” Aaron jogged up as we reached the rest of the team gathered in the foyer.

“At least he let you walk off the bus in one piece,” Ezra snorted. “You need to watch what you’re saying about Poppy around him.”

“Yeah, yeah, Coach loves me.”

I slung my arm around his neck and guided him over to one of the huge leather sectionals while we waited for instructions. “But does he love the fact you’re banging his daughter?”

“Fuck you, Kandon. Fuck. You.” He smirked.

A couple of guys nearby laughed at our exchange, but we all knew the deal. Coach Ford pretended to ride Aaron about dating his younger daughter, but the truth was, Coach just wanted Poppy to be happy. And the one thing that made her happier than anything is… Aaron.

“Okay, ladies,” Coach said, passing us. “Follow me.”

“Hey, Bennet.” Deacon came up beside us. “You think we can win tonight?”

“Didn’t come to lose, Faris.”

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