I almost groan when he pulls out his grease board and goes through a couple of plays from the scrimmage. There’s a lot of head nodding on my part and drawing, wiping away, and then redrawing on his. Luke Adams might be young, but he’s a rising star in Division I women’s soccer. We’re lucky to have him at Western. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he makes a move to coach professionally in the next five years. Even though I won’t be jumping up to the next level, he’s helped me improve my game.
By the time Coach releases me, fifteen minutes have slid by. A lot of the girls have already showered, changed, and taken off. Western is an academically rigorous school, and it won’t be long before we’re headed into midterms. Everyone has tests to cram for. Before we know it, December will be here, and the semester will be drawing to a close. The women’s soccer team has one of the highest collective GPAs at the university. And that’s the way we like to keep it.
How else can we rub it in the men’s faces?
Demi is already throwing her freshly washed hair up into a ponytail when I make it to the locker room.
“That took forever,” she says.
Tell me about it. “He wanted to go over a few mistakes I made.”
She snorts. “The guy is really wound tight about this one.”
“Yup, he is. I have to stop in tomorrow afternoon to review game film. He wants me to cover number sixteen. Apparently, she’s a real dynamo.”
Demi nods. “I meet with him tomorrow morning between classes.”
I strip off my practice jersey before tossing it into the laundry bin. Everything Coach went over on the field circles through my brain. I might have just played down how competitive this team will be, but that doesn’t mean my nerves aren’t jacked. I don’t want to lose this game, and I sure as hell don’t want number sixteen to show me up.
A few of the girls call out goodbyes as they grab their athletic bags and head out of the locker room. As the silence settles around us, echoing off the cement walls, I realize we’re the last stragglers.
“Rowan and I are heading over to Dad’s for dinner tonight. Any interest in coming with us?”
“I appreciate the offer, but go without me. I’ll probably be at least ten minutes.” More like fifteen. “I don’t want to hold you guys up.” Plus, I’m not interested in third wheeling it tonight. Been there, done that. I’d rather head home and study by myself.
“Are you sure?” She glances around the now empty locker room. “It’s kind of creepy now that everyone has cleared out.”
I snort. “I’m pretty sure you meant to say serene. Without all those noisy bitches yapping away, it’s actually quite peaceful in here. I can hear myself think and don’t have to put up with a bunch of useless gossip.”
“Please girl, you live for all the dirt,” she says as I strip off my shorts and toss them in the bin.
I grin. She’s right. I do. Especially when that chatter has to do with Annica. I’m relieved for Demi’s sake that the red-headed viper is no longer part of the team. Most of the injured players still show up for practices and games, but Annica hasn’t bothered. One of the girls mentioned that she’s upset and doesn’t want to be around soccer right now.
Oh well.
My bestie pulls out her phone when a text message rolls in.
“Let me guess,” I snicker, “it’s lover boy.” It’s not even a question. We both know it is. Those two are inseparable. And their relationship is a drama-free zone. Maybe one day, I’ll have something like that.
A girl can dream, right?
A light blush fills her cheeks as a smile spreads across her lips. On Demi, this is what happy coupledom looks like. Instead of being jealous or resentful, I’m thrilled for her. For both of them. They are the perfect match.
Before she can open her mouth, I wave her away. “Go on and get out of here. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure? We can wait around for you to finish up. It’s not a big deal.”
I shake my head. “It’s all good. I’ll catch you back at the apartment later on. My plan is to heat up something from the fridge and delve straight into work.”
When I stopped home last night, Mom had packaged up a few dinners for me to take back to school. One was vegetable lasagna made with eggplant instead of noodles, and the other was broiled chicken with a lemon artichoke dressing.
Yum!
After that grueling practice, I could mow both of them.
“Only if you’re sure,” Demi says, cutting into my thoughts.
“I am. Now get moving before your man comes in here looking for you.”