Page 3 of Penalty Kick

“We’re willing to give you another shot. To prove to us that you are the guy we think. Someone we want representing this team and this city.”

“I am.”

“Good.”

“You’re suspended from practice for the rest of the week. When you return next week, I’ll decide if you will be with the rest of the team or solo.”

“Games?”

“When I decide you’re someone I want representing us again.”

It was a simple enough answer. One that Dash could both understand and respect. Even if it did make him want to puke.

“You’re also going to have to complete one hundred hours of community service. Part of being a member of this team is being a good role model, and that means being involved in our community and not some glorified playboy.”

“A hundred hours? That is forever.”

“Good, it’ll keep you out of trouble.”

Yeah, and kill my social life…

Dash opened his mouth to object but stopped himself, an idea hitting him. Maybe such a thing wouldn’t be the end of his social life. Instead, it had the potential to be just the thing he needed.

“Can I work it off with the Unified team?” he asked, his heart kicking up a notch. It had already been racing, but now, there was a new beat to it. An excitement and anticipation he hadn’t expected from this meeting.

“No,” Gunnar answered immediately.

“Actually…” Cowboy countered.

It was the perfect plan. Felicity and her best friend, Saxony Gray, had been working for months to start up the Atlanta Rising Unified team. Partnering with the Special Olympics, they had formed a team for teenagers with intellectual disabilities to learn the beautiful game. It was one of only a few across the league, but everyone in the organization was excited about it. Including Talia.

She’d talked about it nonstop every time he’d gone to visit her as she worked the bar at Bunz, a sports bar geared toward women that was also the team hangout. Dash knew that Talia was going to be working with the team, and this could be his in. His way of showing her that there was more to him than she realized. While also proving to Gunnar and Cowboy that he was their guy.

“As long as Felicity and Sax are good with it, yes, we’ll allow your community service hours to come from working with the Unified team,” Cowboy continued. “Just know, that if you step out of line in front of those kids, we won’t hesitate to terminate your contract.”

Gunnar grumbled something Dash didn’t quite hear. For a second he thought about asking, then thought better. They were already being a lot more accommodating than they should be, given his antics and the fact they were all over the Internet. He didn’t need to push it. Plus, he was going to get to work with Talia.

“Is there anything else?” Dash asked, after a long stretch of silence.

“No. Go home, and keep a low profile this week. We’ll be in touch if anything changes.”

Popping up from his chair, Dash awkwardly gestured at the two men, something in between a wave and a salute. At least it hadn’t been a nod. Turning to go, his hand was all but on the door when Gunnar’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“One more thing. Stay away from my daughter, Dash. I mean it.”

CHAPTER ONE

The heavy glass door let out a wrenching squeak as Dash opened it, stepping into the diner. It had been a while since he and his teammates had been here, since many of their meals were handled by the chefs on staff at the training center, but it felt good to be doing breakfast off campus this morning. He was glad to see the dingy green-and-maroon carpet was still the same—although it occurred to him that said carpet was probably older than he was and that the likelihood of it having been changed out in the few months since his last visit was small. Still, he would have missed it if he’d walked in and found something else in its place.

“Can I help you?” the hostess asked, an unamused look on her face.

“I am meeting some people.”

Looking around, he felt nervous all of a sudden. Like he was an outsider trying to crash a party. He knew that wasn’t the case. These were his teammates. Their bond was like nothing else on this planet, and he knew they had his back. A week away from them didn’t change that. At least he hoped it hadn’t.

“There’s a couple of guys around the corner waiting on more. They yours?”

“Probably.”