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“Hey, how about the baking contest?” he asked, and several players laughed, joking that cereal and protein shakes didn’t count. “No, I’m serious. I think we should enter the baking contest.”
“Homemade protein bars don’t count, man,” someone a few rows ahead of him said.
“You wanna go up against a grandma who spent years perfecting her brownies? Hell, no! She’s bakin’ a masterpiece. Coach wants us to participate not make fools of ourselves.”
Lucas didn’t know who said it, but his offensive line came to his defense. Loudly and passionately calling the defense cowardly chickens. The chickens retorted they could out-bake the offense with their eyes closed and one hand tied behind their back. A sharp whistle sliced through the argument.
“I’ve got a better idea,” Coach Shockley said, tossing the marker from one hand to the other, waiting for the room to settle down. “Offense versus defense. And to make it interesting, maybe y’all should put your money where your mouth is. Each player chips in one hundred dollars and whichever side wins, chooses the charity of their choice to donate all the money to.” The room quieted and Lucas felt everyone weigh the pros and cons, sizing up their side’s chance to win.
“So, seven-thousand total?” Bash asked. “Because I’m sure the coaches and staffers want in on the action, too.” Some of the junior staffers shifted uncomfortably, but they nodded in agreement. One hundred dollars might be chump change for most of the players and senior coaching staff, but it wasn’t for the younger ones. Lucas would check with his teammates to see if they could cover them.
“We don’t have all day, so I’m gonna make this easy,” Coach Mack said, intercepting the marker from Coach Shockley mid-toss. “Rodriguez, since this was your idea, you can lead the offense and Oregon, since you’re the defensive nose tackle, you can lead the defense.”
“I can’t bake,” Oregon argued, with a panicked edge to his voice. “And I’m not a team leader.” Lucas saw the white knuckles on the six-six, three hundred fifty-pound defender as he gripped his armrest.
“I said lead not do. Your team leaders have enough on their plates. Put your thinking cap on and figure it out. Anyone else got anything to add?” Coach looked around the room. “No? I’ll check and see if we can do the baking competition, but if we can’t, I want everyone prepared to walk the 5K. Unless you’ve got a meeting with one of the other coaches or medical, get outta here.”
Bash sat several rows ahead and turned around to look at Lucas and Cal. “Library fund.”
“What?”
“Library fund. When we win, we’ll donate the money to the library. Cascade City has a library, right?”
Cal growled. Bash’s constant digs at Cal’s hometown were growing thin. If the fans knew, it would get ugly, even if it was in jest. But Lucas did like Bash’s confidence that they’d win the contest.
“Yes, we have a library. Several, actually. With books. And librarians.”
“Then the library it is,” Bash said, standing to stretch.
“Not so fast, and since coach put me in charge and I’m the one cooking, I should decide.” Lucas moved down the aisle toward him. Cal followed behind. Bash screwed up his face as if deep in thought.
“Nah, I don’t think so. If we’re helping, then we get to decide.”
“But I don’t need your help. I can easily beat the defense and not embarrass the team.”
“What are you going to make?” Cal asked.
“My abuela’s tamales, but with a modern twist.”
“What’s the twist?”
“Not sure yet, but it will involve something local. Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” And a chance to see Maggie.
“So, who do you want to donate the money to?” Bash asked.
“What’s with you and your focus on money?” Lucas brushed past Bash, shoving open the door into the hallway.
“I just think that if we have a really great cause, we can raise more money. Get everyone excited, you know?”
“The last thing some of these guys read was their contract. I don’t think the library is going to cut it. But food might. I’m thinking about the food shelf. What do you think, Cal?” Lucas asked.
“As long as it isn’t associated with anything my sisters do, I’m cool with whatever.”
“Oh, yeah? What do they do?” Lucas had joined activities in college to spend time with Maggie.
“Penny helps out at the hospital and is one of the volunteer dog walkers at the animal shelter. Last year Maggie helped organize the winter Soup-a-thon, so I assume she’ll pitch in this year, too.”
“We could ask your sister, Harper. Based on her articles, she has a long list of what needs fixing in Cascade City,” Bash said as they stepped out into the late afternoon sun.
