Page 8

CHAPTER 8

COOPER

S tepping from the shower, I wrap a towel around my waist as I head to my bedroom. Practice wasn’t particularly grueling today, but my muscles seem to be in a constant aching state. That’s what happens when you consistently push yourself to the limit. It’s a good pain, a prideful one.

As I’m pulling on a pair of pajama bottoms, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. It’s a text from Scarlett.

Hey, just wanted to let you know the new podcast episode is up if you want to check it out.

I smile, grabbing my phone to respond.

Me: Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll definitely give it a listen tonight.

No pressure. I know you’re probably busy with game prep and everything.

Never too busy for my fake girlfriend’s podcast.

I hesitate for a moment before adding a winking emoji. Wait. Is that too flirty? Before I can overthink it, I hit send.

She replies almost immediately.

Aww, you’re such a supportive fake boyfriend.

I chuckle, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at our playful banter. It’s nice to have someone to talk to like this..

I aim to please. So, do you have wrestlers on each week?

It depends on who’s available. Sometimes I discuss wrestling-related topics too.

What’s this episode about?

It’s about the psychology of sports fandom. Why people become so invested in teams and players.

Sounds interesting. I’ll definitely check it out.

Let me know what you think. Especially from a player’s perspective.

Will do. Hey, are you all set for the game on Sunday?

Yes. I wouldn’t miss it. Autumn and I will be there cheering for #89.

I’ll keep an ear out for you. Maybe it’ll inspire me to attempt that end zone dance you want so badly.

Now, that I’d love to see! No pressure, though.

As I’m about to reply, there’s a knock at my bedroom door.

“Come in,” I call out.

My sister pokes her head in. “Hey, I made dinner, if you’re hungry.”

“Thanks, I’ll be right there,” I say. To Scarlett, I quickly type,

Gotta run. Dinner’s ready. Talk to you later?

Enjoy your dinner! Chat soon.

Setting my phone down, I pull on a t-shirt and head to the kitchen. The scent of Cassie’s famous spaghetti and meatballs fills the air.

“Smells amazing, as always,” I tell her as I grab a plate.

She smiles. “Thanks. So who were you texting? You had that goofy grin on your face.”

I ignore her baiting and reply, “Just Scarlett.”

“Ah, the fake girlfriend,” she says with a knowing look.

“We were talking about her podcast.”

She grins. “Uh huh. You know, for not being in an actual relationship, you two seem to text a lot.”

She’s exaggerating.

“We’re friends,” I defend. “And we need to keep up appearances.”

“Right,” she says, drawing out the word. “Well, don’t let me interrupt your ‘appearance keeping.’”

“You’re ridiculous.” Scooping a generous portion of spaghetti onto my plate, I add a handful of meatballs on top along with two slices of garlic bread and a scoop of spinach. Grabbing a fork, I take a seat on a stool at the island. “Thank you for this. I didn’t know what I was gonna have for dinner. You’re a lifesaver.” I take the first bite and hum. “So good.”

She scoffs. “You act like I don’t feed you all the time.”

“I know you do, but I try not to presume you will. You’re not my private chef.”

“I’m not?” she asks, laughing.

I smile. “Not officially at least. But if you need the label, it’s yours.” I fork another bite into my mouth.

She taps her fingertip against her lips. “Would this title come with a salary?”

“Yeah, free rent and utilities.”

She nods. “Fair enough.”

“Aren’t you gonna have some dinner?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Maybe later. I’m not hungry right now.”

“Are you coming to the game tomorrow?”

“Yep. Don’t forget to give me a ticket.”

“You can sit with Scarlett and Autumn in the family members’ section.”

“I might have to leave early since I’m working after the game.”

“That’s not a problem. I’m just glad you’ll be there for most of it.”

“I wouldn’t miss watching you play for anything besides work. I may not love my job but I like having money in my bank account.”

“Do you dislike it that much?”

“Not really. It’s not the job that bothers me. It’s my boss. She’s a witch.”

“Kill her with kindness,” I suggest.

“If she doesn’t change her behavior, I’m gonna kill her with something.”

I laugh. Cassie wouldn’t hurt a fly, and she certainly won’t make waves. She’s a people pleaser and doesn’t have a rebellious gene in her body. Even if her boss makes her miserable, she’ll bite her tongue and do her job to the best of her ability.

“You think it’s funny, but it’s not. She tries my patience more than anyone ever has. The other day it was all I could do to keep myself from giving my notice.”

“If it’s that bad, why don’t you?”

“Because I need the money.”

“You know I’ll take care of you for as long as you need.”

“I know you will, but I don’t want you to have to. Living here for free is enough.”

“You’re a huge help to me. I probably don’t thank you enough for all the support you give me.”

She arches one eyebrow. “Because I cook and clean?”

“Yes. That’s a big help. Knowing both of those chores will be taken care of is a relief. Sometimes I barely have the strength to drive myself home from practice, and coming home to a delicious meal is all that keeps me going.”

“Aww, that makes me feel so much better. The one reservation I had about moving here with you was worry that I’d be a financial drain on you.”

“That’s not the case at all. I can’t imagine how lonely I’d be without you.”

“But you have Scarlett now,” she teases.

“I told you, she and I are only friends, and new ones at that.”

She crosses her arms. “So you say, but I’ve never seen you texting with another woman.”

“We have to speak. She and I have an arrangement.”

“Well, I can’t wait to meet her tomorrow.”

“I think you’ll get along well. She’s easy to talk to.”

“She must be if you felt comfortable enough to ask her to help you out.”

“Yeah, that was even a surprise to me.”

I never imagined I’d be in a situation like this, especially with a beautiful woman like Scarlett.

The sun is high in the sky, casting its bright rays over the field as Rogan, Thor, Griffin, and I stand in a loose circle, stretching out. With game time approaching, this is the calm before the storm. My adrenaline is on standby, scratching underneath the surface of my skin, just waiting to kick in. My stomach feels a little uneasy from pre-game nerves, but that’s normal for me. As soon as I step foot on the field for my first play, I’ll forget about anything but my assignment.

Thor bends down, touching his toes, and breathes through the stretch. He rises to his full height before repeating the action once more. He straightens up, rolling his neck from side to side, and lets out a satisfied sigh.

I pull each arm across my chest, one at a time, to stretch out my shoulders.

“Anyone else worried about this game?” Griffin blurts out. We all stare in stunned silence at him. This may only be our third game, but I’ve already learned it’s an unspoken rule not to give voice to the doubts I may have. It’s not only the four of us who prescribe to this way of thinking; it’s the entire team.

“What the fuck, Griffin?” Thor scolds him.

“Come on, man. You know we don’t go there,” Rogan adds.

Griffin holds his hands up in surrender. “I realize we’re not supposed to, but I thought since I’m worried, I could talk it through with you guys and then I’d feel better.”

“But now you’ve given our team bad luck,” Thor says.

Griffin’s lips press together in an expression of pure skepticism. “Superstitions aren’t based in reality.”

“We shouldn’t take a chance,” Rogan says.

“Oh come on. We’re smarter than to believe in some woo woo bullshit,” Griffin says.

“I think it’s real, and if it’s not, why risk tempting fate?” Thor asks.

Griffin turns to me. “What about you?”

“What about me?” I don’t want to get dragged into this conversation.

“Do you believe in this hocus pocus nonsense?”

I shrug. “Superstitions are part of sports. We all have them. No one knows if they’re true, but we know not to question them.”

“Jesus. Not you too.” Griffin shakes his head.

“I’m just saying, since we don’t have proof one way or the other, maybe we should err on the side of caution.”

Griffin rolls his eyes. “Fine, whatever. I’ll keep my concerns to myself from now on.”

“Good idea,” Thor says firmly.

Rogan claps Griffin on the shoulder. “Look man, we get it. Every game has its challenges. But we’ve prepared well and we’re ready. Focus on that instead of worrying.”

I nod in agreement. “Exactly. Channel that nervous energy into intensity on the field.”

Griffin takes a deep breath and nods. “I won’t say anything about it again”

“That's all we ask,” Thor says, clapping him on the shoulder.

“My bad, guys. Let’s crush it today,” Griffin says.

We all bump fists, the momentary tension dissipating.

I’m relieved the conversation is over. The last thing we need is doubt creeping into our minds before a big game. I try to refocus my thoughts on our game plan and my role in it.

As we finish our stretches, I scan the steadily filling stands. I know Scarlett and Autumn are supposed to be here, as well as Cassie. I texted Scarlett to let her know to be on the lookout for my sister, and sent her a picture so she’d recognize her.

Rogan, Griffin, and I throw the ball back and forth with each other for a few minutes.

“Hey, Cooper,” Thor calls out. “Your girl is here.”

My head snaps up, following his gaze to the stands. Sure enough, I spot Scarlett with Autumn on one side and my sister on the other, the three of them decked out in team colors. Even from this distance, I can see Scarlett’s bright smile as she waves at us.

I lift my hand in a small wave back, trying to ignore the way my heart rate picks up at the sight of her. It’s just the pre-game adrenaline. At least that’s what I tell myself.