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And then he turns, setting his angry hazel eyes on me.Oh shit.
“What about you, O’Rourke? Are you here to fight or to play football?”
“To play football, sir.”
“Do you have time to waste on bullshit?”
“No, sir.”
“Everyone get back to eating your lunch. And you two dumbasses, I want to see you in my office in thirty. In the meantime, stay the hell away from each other.”
“Yes, sir,” I reply.
Brett adds a mumbled “yes,” and storms off like a sulking kid who didn’t get his way. I watch Coach walk off before I glance over to where Autumn was sitting earlier. She’s still there, but her focus is no longer directed at her phone. It’s on me and she looks worried. I give her a quick wave and a smile to dispel her concerns.
I don’t speak to my teammates at first. Adrenaline is coursing through my veins with nowhere to go. I flex my fingers, clenching and unclenching my fists. I’m still angry at Brett, and at myself for allowing him to bait me. I should’ve ignored him,and I would have if he hadn’t mentioned Autumn. She’s the line in the sand when it comes to him, and he crossed over it. I won’t allow that, consequences be damned. I’m no longer just fighting to be starting quarterback, I’m fighting for a future with Autumn. And I have the determination to see both to fruition.
“You okay, man?” Cooper asks.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“I’m sorry if I said something I shouldn’t have.”
“No, it’s not your fault. I never told you Autumn and Brett went to college together and had a relationship for five years.”
“Oh damn.”
“They broke up two years ago, though.”
“Jesus. Dude needs to get a grip.”
“Yeah, he does. But she’s pretty fucking special, so even though he’s an asshole, I guess I can’t blame him for still being hung up on her.”
“Good luck when you talk to Coach.” He pats my shoulder. “Lord knows you’re gonna need it.”
“Yeah. I’m not looking forward to the ass chewing I’m about to receive.”
“You better get to it before you’re late.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“I’ll pray for you,” he calls out as I walk away.
Coach Chubb is workingon his computer when notices me in the doorway. “Get in here and sit down.”
“Yes, sir,” I say, sitting on one of the chairs in front of his desk.
“We’ll get started once Barlow gets here.” His attention returns to his computer screen, and I sit there in silence. Mythoughts are all over the place. I’m thinking about Autumn and how she might be feeling. Is she mad at me for what happened? I didn’t fuck him up like I wanted to. It’s not like I can forget he’s one of my teammates, no matter how much I’d like to. The team is everything. We’re taught that from the moment we sign the contract, and we never stop hearing it.
Brett knocks on the doorjamb.
“Get in here and sit down,” Coach orders. Brett takes the seat next to mine. “What the hell happened with you two?”
“It was a misunderstanding,” Brett says.
“About?” Coach prods.
“Something personal,” I say. I don’t really want Coach knowing more than he needs to.
