Page 63

Story: Flock And Roll

We took our positions, and I waited in the Jammer’s spot behind the pack. The minute the whistle blew, I skated forward into a wall of women. I’d never known the meaning of the expression “log jam,” but being wedged behind the skaters had to be pretty close. Crazy Cassie was there in the thick of it, yelling instructions to her team. Ordering them to shut me down. I pushed and battled as hard as I could, but the Jammer from the other team got free first and skated out, doing a lap of the track just to rub in my inadequacy.

The ref blew his whistle again, and we lined up for another play. One of the other newbies turned to face me, a sneer on her lips. “I heard you’re from Tuft-Town.” It was one of Spitz Hollow’s names for my home. “You’re brave to come here. Why don’t you have your own team?”

“Yeah!” shouted Cassie. She’d organized her pack, positioning herself nearest to me. “You could call yourself the Tuft Swallow Turnips.”

I clamped my teeth shut, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a response. Ms. Crazy was plain mean, but I wasn’t about to let her rattle me. Put me off my game. I was here to show the manager what I could do. Showmyselfwhat I could do.

The whistle blew again, and the game was on. Immediately, Cassie was up in my face, blocking every attempt to get past. It was like going up against an octopus with eight arms. She was everywhere at once. A low growl brewed in my chest, and after sucking in a breath, I stopped, pulled away, and skated backward for one stride. Once I’d cleared the pack, Cassie eyed me, heading straight in my direction. I waited until she was almost on me before stepping to my left, spinning out, and leaving the other players for dust as I whipped around the huddle. I hadn’t had to usemyelbows.

The squeal of the whistle reset the play. Cassie had lost her smirk, replacing it with a tight jaw. A second time, I waited until the tiniest gap presented itself. Then, like a shot, I took advantage, skating backward before executing a tight pirouette and pulling out of the scrum of bodies.

At the scrape of my wheels on the floor, I grinned. Even Mom would’ve loved that move. I turned to find Brody, pumping a fist in his direction, but he wasn’t looking. He just sat in the bleachers on his phone. His face was ashen and drawn.

My chest ached at the sight. He wasn’t watching me. Wasn’t he proud? Gritting my teeth, I almost set off across the rink toask him, but a shout went out, pulling my attention. All heads flipped to Dean Millan. He strode toward us across the track, all sports jacket and glossy curls. If I got onto the team, I’d have to ask him what conditioner he used.

“I want Rowena on the offense again. She’s got some impressive skills. Cassie, cover her. One on one.”

My breath skittered in my chest. Millan wanted me and roller derby’s answer to Blackbeard to go up against each other? Cassie gave me a surly scoff and took up a position in front of me. Her eyes burned with something I couldn’t place, but as soon as the whistle sounded, she took off in my direction, looking like she’d plow into me and trail my insides all the way to the door.

With my heart thundering in my chest, I waited until the last second before I took a stride, pulled away, and then used one of Brody’s hockey stops. Cassie grinned. She had two choices, left or right, and I had to guess which way she’d turn to chase me down. Cassie chose left, so I pushed off to the right just in time to clear her and her trailing leg with a sweet single-axle jump. As I landed, I threw in some ballerina arms. Was I being a show pony? You bet I was. This girl was next-level vindictive, and I had no idea why.

The second I landed the jump, cheers and a couple of whistles rang out from the new intake, and I turned to them with a grin. Dean Millan stood looking on, a huge smile on his face. He clapped his hands together as if they were on fire. I looked to find Brody at the side of the bleachers, but he was gone. I raked my eyes over the room. There was no sign of him anywhere.

The coach blew his whistle, and the whirr of the fans replaced the chatter in the room. “Okay, ladies. I think we have all we need. Thanks for coming out today. You’ve all done a great job. Now, head to the showers. We’ll be in contact.”

Pockets of skaters formed as they headed toward the locker room, talking about the trial. I stood on the outskirts of theaction and removed Brody’s helmet. I didn’t want to be in the thick of things just yet. Pirate wench Cassie had given me a solid eye roll after my stunt, and if hanging back meant I wouldn’t run into her, I’d happily stand here in a sweaty puddle.

Besides, I didn’t have any soap or a towel, thanks to Brody's text-induced memory lapse. If I wanted to wash off, I’d have to rely on good old-fashioned water and toilet paper. It's not the best look when trying to win over a tough crowd.

When the other skaters cleared out of the arena, I took a slow roll across to the locker room. Gripping the door frame, I craned my neck to assess the action inside. I couldn’t see anyone. Hopefully, the other ladies hit the showers or were smartening up in the mirrors. All I wanted to do was get out of my grungy outfit without being spotted.

I skated back to the bench where I’d left my bag. As I sat, the sweat-slicked back of my legs slid against the wood. With a sigh, I ripped at the velcro of my borrowed pads, shedding them on the side. The thrum of water drumming on tiles vibrated through the air, but after a time, my ears adjusted to hear voices punctuating the sound of the deluge.

“Well, you’d think she’d be a bit more subtle.”

I froze, and an icy shiver ran over my body.

“I know, right? And to wear his helmet. She wasn’t exactly flying under the radar.” Whoever spoke put on a childish voice. “Sign me up. I’m Brody Flockhart’s girl. I’ll get the team more publicity.” Giggles followed the words. “Millan’s so transparent.”

“Maybe that’s what you get when you hold Flock’s helmet.”

A mass of cackles reverberated around the locker room, and I clamped my jaw. I’d recognize the loudest anywhere. It belonged to Cassie. I swallowed a bitter taste and glanced down at Brody’s silver headgear. I didn’t want her, or anyone, to think the only reason I’d earn a spot was because he’d come along with me today.

The noise of the water lessened, and another voice joined the chatter. “It looks like we have ourselves a new member in the A-team.”

“What do you mean?” asked another.

“I just spoke to Millan. He said he wanted to sign the one in the tatty dress. The Tuft Swallow chick. Said she could skip the reserve teams. He wants her in with us straight away.”

I sucked in a breath. Had I impressed him that much? I’d done well, but I expected to work my way up if I got a spot. A warm glow made its way up my body. Getting signed to the first team was crazy!

“Well, it’s no surprise how she got there.” The voice was Cassie’s. “Didn’t you see Millan swooning over Flockhart? They must have worked something out.Hemust have got her on the team. Sure, she has a few skills, but it’s obvious she’s being signed because she’s the Flock Boy’s latest Flock.”

Laughter filled the air once more, and my face burned hot. I needed to speak to Brody. See if what they said was true. Millan had hinted he was after a new coach. After Brody. Was I really the deal sweetener? He’d never give up his spot in Denver, but who knew what he’d do in a few years?

Without changing out of Mom’s dress, I shouldered my bag and picked up Brody’s helmet, coming to stand on my wheels before hearing yet another voice.

“Well, she can add her name to a long list of others. My friend has flocked him, too.” A stream of laughter bounced off the tiles, tearing holes in my chest.