“It just happened about a month ago. All right, Miss Kicker, let’s see what’s going down.” He stood, and I followed him into the media room. It was like a small movie theater with large recliners lined up on two different levels. All faced a screen that had to be over one hundred inches. It made me wonder why we didn’t watch our show in here rather than the family room.
Collin flicked on the projector and turned to the sports network. We both sat down next to each other in the front row, so to speak. A commercial for deodorant ended, and another for a car insurance company started. “This is so weird,” I said, just as the show’s theme song started to play.
Oh God,I said to myself. If I thought practice was stressful, this proved that theory wrong.
“Try to relax,” Collin said, placing his hand on my forearm.
“Welcome toGet Playin.’I’m your host Zack Allen, and this morning we’re going to be heading to the Virginia Thunder’s team headquarters, where GM Reese Archer has an announcement to make,” the handsome anchor said before adding, “Drew, what’s the atmosphere?”
A man wearing a suit and holding a microphone appeared in the center of the screen. He nodded a few times, as most reporters did, before answering, “Zack, there are a few speculations about the recent photos taken of Charlie Nicholson. We don’t know much about her, but a reliable source has said that she is now the starting kicker for the Virginia Thunder.”
The screen split, and Zack appeared on the right side of it. “That would be a first for the league.”
Chatter started as the screen changed again. Drew nodded. “Yes, it will be. I’ll get back to you, Zack. It looks like we’ll have our answers very soon.”
Seeing Reese, Trent, and Coach Tisdale sitting behind a long table made me want to hold my breath—which I realized I’d already been doing. The only microphone was placed in front of Reese, and behind them on the wall was the team’s logo.
“Thank you all for coming,” Reese said with what sounded like thousands of camera shutters rapidly clicking in succession in the background. “As several of you know, we lost a great kicker last year to retirement.” I glanced over to Collin, who frowned. I knew he was close to Smythe, which had probably added to his ire when I arrived. I’d be really sad if Reese hadn’t told me that Smythe was happy living on his Texas ranch. “And you also know that we didn’t draft a kicker.” Murmurs echoed in the room. Trent’s jaw clenched.
“What’s that about?”
Collin shook his head. “After the draft, some people posted that Reese was in above her head. And that’s putting it nicely. Her not drafting a kicker added fuel to that fire. DiNardo is good, but he missed a few crucial kicks last year.”
I brought my attention back to the screen. Reese, being the strong woman I knew her to be, rolled her shoulders back. “Believe me, I saw your disapproval of my decision all over the internet. But as the saying goes, everything happens for a reason.” She paused, and despite not being in the room, I could feel the tension. “My reason’s name is Charlie Nicholson.”
“Oh my God,” I whispered with disbelief as a picture of me in my practice uniform, holding my helmet, populated the upper-right corner of the screen. Reporters started hurling questions, but with my pulse filling my eardrums, they all sounded like distant rumblings.
Reese held her hand up. “I’m proud to announce that Charlie Nicholson is the first female player in the league and will be our starting kicker. Francis DiNardo will remain the backup.”
“What? I’m the starter?”
Then Collin echoed my earlier sentiment with “Oh my God.”
Both coaches smiled. Reese once again lit up like a sparkler on the Fourth of July and began to answer questions. Most were ones we already had the answers to, like if I’d ever played before and where I went to college. Collin muted the television while I sat stock still, staring at the blank screen with what I assumed was the same expression on my face.
“You okay?” Collin’s soothing voice did little to calm me.
Repeating it again, I asked, “Did Reese just say I was the starter?”
“Yes. Congratulations, Charlie. I can’t say I’m surprised, considering you were nailing sixty-yarders during practice, but I am a bit shocked that you found out this way and that Sam didn’t tell you.”
Finally, coming out of my stupor, I said, “Francis is going to flip out.”
Collin and I looked at each other and started laughing.
When we caught our breath, he looked at me. His brows furrowed, and I watched his Adam’s apple sexily bob in his throat.
“What?” I couldn’t help but quip.
“I’m proud of you. I know this is a shock, but this is a very cool moment.”
“Do you think I can’t do it?”
“No. Iknowyou can. And I know you’ll kick ass doing it.”
“Well, Mr. St. James, that may have been one of the nicest things you’ve said to me about me joining the team since I’ve been here.”
“In my defense, you haven’t been here very long.”