Chapter 41
1015words
I ran my hands through my hair, exhaling nervously as I scanning the crowded bleachers for what felt like the hundredth time, but of course, Scarlett was nowhere to be seen. Where the fuck was she? Was she even going to show up? I had left the note on top of her phone; there was no way in hell she hadn’t seen it. Maybe I had been wrong to assume Scarlett felt anything for me. Did she only want me for my body? It wouldn’t be the first time that had happened. No, Scarlett wasn’t like that, I dismissed. She knew me....maybe that was the problem. She had witnessed too much and couldn’t accept me for thought was. The idea made me feel hollow. I hadn’t wanted to play today, not with my sister in the hospital. Even if it meant giving up my future in football. Music was my absolute passion away. Maybe I should just quit. I exhaled another shaky breath, my jaw clenched.
The small stadium was overcrowded with students, family and friends, over three-fourths of which were supports The Red Vipers. They were the top football team in our league, trumping every season for the past fourteen years. Starting the season ageist, them was pure bad luck; we had no chance. Yet Coach had still managed to get us fired up. This was the year we were going to take home the title. No pressure.
I scanned the crowd again, searching for my girl. Unfortunately, she still wasn’t here, and the game was due to start in just over five minutes. I didn’t’ pay any attention to the swooning girls in the stadium calling out my name. There was only one girl I wanted, and she hadn’t even shown up.
“Dude gets your fucking head in the game,” Adam growled, chucking my helmet into my hands. Blue and white matching our school colours.
“She’s not here”, I mumble, like a child. Get a grip, man. But I couldn’t. I didn’t want to play without her here.
“Who?!? Scarlett?” Adam questioned in disbelieve. “Man, she has never been to a football game in her life! So what makes you think she’s going to start now?” he laughed. I shrugged my shoulders.
“I asked her to,” I admitted sheepishly.
“Why would she do anything for you?” He challenged, looking at me like I was fucking crazy. Hell, maybe I was. I shrug; Adam was right. Scarlett didn’t owe me shit; I wasn’t her boyfriend. She had no obligation to come and support us. I was just some good for nothing nobody that was obsessing with the girl next door. A girl that wasn’t mine to have.
“Look, man, I don’t know what’s going on between you and my sister. But if you think acting like a bitch right now is going to win her over, you’re sorely mistaken. So grow some fucking balls, get out there and be the fucking man she deserves,” He orders, smacking me on the back. I nod, feeling the fight burn through my veins. This was why Adam was captain. I punch him playfully on the shoulder, my fist connecting with his shoulder pad—a grin spreading from ear to ear.
“Does this mean you trust me with Scarlett?”
“Don’t push your luck, Morgan,” Adam smirks before jogging onto the field. I smile to myself, delighted to be on good terms with my best friend again.
“Morgan! Get your arse over here,” Coach Commands, blowing a whistle at me. I jog over to them—the team gathering around in a huddle, coach in the centre. The cheerleader were going out on the field. I strap my helmet on, taking my spot on Adam’s right.
“Tonight, men, we start from nothing. I don’t care who the other team is; it doesn’t matter. Because tonight everybody starts from zero, this is a new season, a new beginning. So let’s go out there and give them hell!” Coach declares, his gaze boring into each and every one of us.
“Who are we?” Adam shouts.
“Black Wing!” the team chants as one.
“I said who we?!” Adam demands, jumping into the middle.
“Black Wing!!” We chant. “Black Wing!!”
“Let’s fuck shit up!” Adam commands, breaking out of our circle. I follow suit—the team charging out onto the field.
“Ladies and gentleman! I present to you our first match of the season. Undefeated champions, The Red Vipers! VS the up and coming team, the one to watch it’s The Black Wing!” The commentator introduces. The crowd goes wild.
I took my position as running back on the field, Number #30 Morganstar written on my jersey. Adam #3 in front of me as Quarterback, Perry #55 as the centre, Shawn #65 as guard and Asher #19 wide receiver. The rest of the team taking their own spots. The Red Viper setting up in defensive positions. There Quarterback Dwain #5, grinning at me like a goddam Chesser cat as he taking his position. Fucking arsehole.
The whistle blew, signalling the start of the match. The field coming to life as #55 passes the ball back to #3. I start running hard and fast. The Vipers getting through our defence, Winters quickly passes to #19. Who was anything but open, Whiteforn breaks left trying to get free of #21 Vipers, but promptly find himself tackled to the ground. Shit. Whistle blow.
We jog back, getting into position for the next play. I steady my breathing, getting ready—whistle blown. I run. #55 runs backhanding the ball to #3, Winters looking around but doesn’t spot me. He runs forward, getting insistently pushed back by severe vipers, Whistle blown. Fuck sack.
I let out a slow exhale, turning to look into the breaches as I walk back to my position. My eyes were instantly locking on Scarlett… There she was, walking down the aisle in a tight-fitting black dress and knee-high platform boots; her clothes clung to her body like a second skin. A smile spreading across my lips as her red curls bounce with every step. There’s my girl.
