“No, it wasn’t,” I said. “You ratted me out to Coach. That’s what we’re talking about here.”
His demeanor changed instantly. He put a hand on my shoulder. I glanced over at it then back to his face, looking him straight in the eyes.
“I’m sorry, man. Co
ach is all over me, and…”
“It’s fine,” I said, cutting him off. “Just don’t let it happen again.”
“Get a fucking room, you two,” someone yelled.
The others laughed then wandered away.
“You getting suited up?”
“Yeah, yeah, give me a minute,” I said. “I’ve got to make a call.”
“That damn Brooke is going to ruin your future,” he warned.
“Let me worry about that, alright?”
I stepped away and pulled out my phone to call Brooke. She answered right away.
“Hey, Austin. What’s up? I just got out of class.”
“I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I ran into Derek and his goons again today.”
“How’d that go?” She asked as if she already knew the answer.
“I took care of it. Hey, I think we should talk about my goals.”
“Your goals?”
“What I want to do with my life after I graduate.”
“You’re going pro, aren’t you?”
“That’s the dream, but I don’t know if I’ll make it.”
“You’re going to make it,” she said confidently.
I smiled, loving her support.
“We could hang out later tonight.”
“Hang out?”
“You know, see where the night takes us,” I added quietly so my teammates wouldn’t hear.
“Oh yeah?”
“I’ll come by after I clean up after practice.
“Make it after eight. Jocelyn will be gone by then.”