Page 27 of Cheap Shot

He pulled his phone out of his pocket, tapped the screen a few times, then held it out for me to see.

My heart seized. It was me at the football party, the same one that got Greco and Lee suspended. I stared at it, looking past me in the foreground talking to someone just out of the shot, to the figures in the slightly blurred background. I could tell they were the backs of Ben and Matt, but hopefully, that was only because I knew to look for them.

I sat back and squared my shoulders, readying myself for what was coming.

“We’re not completely ignorant. We know the parties held at the football team’s house are usually safe for athletes, but that wasn’t the case. You should have left immediately, before someone was able to photograph you.”

I nodded. “You’re right. I didn’t notice anything that violated the rules for the first hour or so that I was there, but I did leave as soon as I saw other attendees with alcohol.”

That was the truth. Those parties always started out fine, but eventually someone that wasn’t held to the same set of rules brought in their own drinks, and things would spread. That was the time we would head out.

“You’ve got too much potential and raw talent to let something like this mess things up for you.” He folded his hands in front of him. “That’s part of what makes you lucky. I know you are a rule follower as well as a leader. The other part is that I was the first and only person to see this picture.”

I lifted my head to meet his eyes. What was he saying?

“While this isn’t fair, you and the other seniors are held to a different standard. You’re to be the example, but not necessarily in punishment. If you give me your word that this”—he shook his phone—“doesn’t happen again, then I’m willing to look the other way, but if another picture comes up with you in the presence of alcohol or drugs, I might not be able to ignore it.”

I clenched my jaw to keep my mouth from falling open.

“We need you at your best, and that can’t happen if you miss two weeks sitting on the side.”

I nodded. His words were finally sinking in, and I understood his meaning.

“Our program has enough to worry about this year. I don’t think it would be constructive to bring negative attention to one of our stars.”

I sucked in a breath. “Thank you, Coach.”

He lowered his chin. “Keep in mind, you might not get so lucky again.”

“I understand.” This was my one get-out-of-jail-free card. He wouldn’t, couldn’t, cover for me again.

“Good.” He stepped around his desk and sat. “Have a nice evening.”

I stood and walked out without looking back. I wanted to put as much distance between me and him as possible so he couldn’t change his mind and call me back.

It took until I got to the locker room and removed my gear for my heart to return to a normal pace. That meeting could have been so much worse. How could I have been so stupid? After Haley disappeared, I should have left. She was the highlight of that night, and nothing else even remotely interesting happened. The second the alcohol started flowing, I should have been long gone. I knew better. Ben knew better. We all did.

This was the slap in the face I needed to remind myself what was important. I needed to pull myself together, and it seemed the rest of the team did too. No more distractions. The next time I had Ben alone, I’d ask him to tell the others.

“Hey, man.” Becker slapped me on the back and sat next to me. “You missed out on a great one last night.”

I glanced at him. “What are you talking about?”

Most of the guys had stayed late in our room, playing a game until Ethan kicked them out around one. Becker and Kevin had been missing though. Matt said they had other plans but didn’t expand. I assumed they had dates or something.

“Kapa Kapa Nu, or whatever it’s called, the sorority on the corner, had a rager.” He pulled out his phone and flipped through pictures of an above-ground pool filled with way too many people to be comfortable and others dancing in the yard.

He flipped to the next one, and I recognized the swing of long brown hair.

“Hold on.” I took the phone and zoomed in on the couple in the background. It was Haley with some guy holding her by the waist. They were both laughing, and she was looking up at him like he was the greatest thing she’d ever laid eyes on. I cringed and handed it back.

“You shouldn’t have been there.” I bit out the words.

He leaned back. “Whoa there. What’s your problem?”

I shot up and glared at him then the rest of the room. “Do none of you care anymore?”

My roar got everyone’s attention, and they fell silent, watching me. Getting called out by Coach was too much. I came too close to suspension. Adrenaline and fear were coursing through me, and they needed a reminder of what was at stake.