He hadn’t texted me the rest of the weekend, but I knew it was coming. That was enough for a rock to settle deep down in my stomach on its own, but I also had the added stress of having tryouts later that day. Anderson couldn't have waited until tomorrow to mess with my head?
I looked down at my phone—three minutes until the tardy bell rang. I got out, slammed the door, and raced up to the school. I was just about to my homeroom when I felt a hand grab my arm.
“I was wondering if you’d ever show up since your brother walked in ages ago.”
I turned to see Anderson standing behind me. I shook his hand off from where it held me. “I gotta get to class.”
The corners lifted into what some might call a smile, but I could see the malice just beneath the surface.
“Anderson, the bell’s gonna—”
Loud ringing interrupted my words, and I was still two doors down from where I needed to be. Maybe if I ran, my teacher wouldn’t send me to the principal’s office. Mr. Richards had told me I needed to be on my best behavior, and a tardy wasn’t going to work in my favor.
“I’ll talk to you later,” I whispered harshly. “I can’t be late.”
“You’re already late.” He crossed his arms.
I turned from Anderson and started speed walking down the hall.
“Don’t you walk away from me!”
“Is everything okay?” Mr. Richards seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
I let out an aggregated huff. Well, there was no way I was going to avoid getting in trouble now. Thanks, Anderson.
Anderson shot me a look, before putting a fake smile on. “No, sir. No problem.”
I smiled and hoped it was convincing. As much as I hated being blackmailed by Anderson, I wanted to stay on his good side, and not give him any reason to go to Preston with the picture he took of me on Saturday night.
“Mr. Webb, why don’t you go ahead and hurry to class. You can tell your teacher you were with me. If there’s any question, I’ll address it. Miss Royce, I’d like you to come with me to my office, please.”
Mr. Richards started walking toward his office, not waiting to see if I would follow him. My future was held in his age-spot covered hands. Of course, I followed. I looked back at Anderson who watched me with raised brows. I shook my head, and I hoped he knew me well enough to know I wasn’t going to snitch.
How had our roles reversed so quickly? In a matter of weeks, I’d gone from keying his car to cowering in fear.
With one last look at Anderson, I turned and followed Mr. Richards to his office. The walk was short and quiet, but my mind raced the entire time. Was he going to expel me? Was this the last straw before going to juvie? If that was the case, I planned to go out with a bang. I’d take all the anger I felt toward Anderson, and was unable to do anything with, and direct it toward Mr. Richards.
He sat down at his desk and motioned for me to sit across from him. I sat poised to attack, my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
“Are you okay?” he asked gently, leaning back in his seat.
“Huh?”
Mr. Richards closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I’ve told you, Miss Royce. I’m not out to get you. It is my job to see that all of the students here feel safe—including you.” He took a long breath. “Do I need to call Mr. Webb down here? Was he threatening you?”
“No,” I answered, a little too quickly.
Mr. Richards watched me expectantly. I was sure he was waiting for me to rat Anderson out, but I wasn’t going to do that. I couldn’t even if I wanted to.
“Am I in trouble?” I asked when the silence stretched on.
My principal sighed, and I swore I saw a flash of disappointment in his eyes. “No, Charlie, not this time.” He looked down at the oversized desk calendar in front of him. “Basketball tryouts are today.”
I nodded.
“Good luck.”
“Thanks?”
He scribbled a quick note on a yellow piece of paper. “Unless there’s anything else you want to tell me, I think you’d better get to class.”
I snatched the paper from his hands and walked out of his office without another word.
“What is wrong with you?” Daria asked as we walked toward the gym after school.
I’d been quiet all day, and every time she tried to talk to me, I’d answered with one- or two-word responses. I shrugged. “Tryouts, I guess.”
“Since when do you get worked up about basketball?”
“Since I have to explain to Coach Scruggs that I can’t play for the first few games.”
Daria snorted. “Yeah, good point.”
Once we were inside the gym, and I immediately went to Coach Scruggs to tell her about my predicament. She reacted exactly as I’d expected.
“I hope you’re happy with yourself Royce,” she said loud enough for everyone to hear. “You’re my best point guard, and you’re on athletic probation.”
My face heated, and I looked down at my feet embarrassed. “I’m sorry Coach Scruggs.”
She let out an angry puff of air, and I looked up to see a stern expression fill her face. “Don’t apologize to me.” She pointed to where my teammates stood. Most of them pretended not to be listening to our very loud interaction. “Apologize to them. When they don’t have you in their first game, they are the ones who suffer.”
She was right, and I kept my lips tightly pressed together.
“And don’t think I’ll be making you captain either. You’re lucky I’m letting you try out at all.”
“Yes, Coach Scruggs.”
She shook her head, still upset with me. “Go join everyone else so we can begin.”
I jogged over to where the rest of the girls stood. Daria wrapped her arm over my shoulder, and whispered, “At least that’s done, and you can start acting normal now. And who knows? Maybe she’ll change her mind about the whole captain thing.”
I let out a long sigh and whispered back. “I don’t know. She looks pretty angry, and she makes a good point. How can I lead a team I can’t even play on?”
Daria rolled her eyes. “I took the liberty of looking up this year’s schedule. You only miss one week of games. There’s practically a whole season ahead of you.”
“Yeah, but—”
“If you ladies are done chit-chatting, I’d love to start our tryouts. You know, if that’s okay with you, Charlie.”
My face burned again.
“Everyone take two laps, and we’ll go through some drills.”
I slid a glance at Daria before running the perimeter of the court.
Still feeling the shame of my very public rebuke, I didn’t run as quickly as I could. Several girls passed me as we moved just behind the basketball hoop. I got a few sympathetic looks, but I was careful to smile at everyone.
I might not make captain this year, but I still had a reputation on this team that I needed to maintain.
Coach had us start with ball handling. We dribbled up and down the court—left hand, right hand, crossovers, low. I caught a fresh-faced girl palming the ball, struggling not to look down as she dribbled down the court. She wasn’t going to make the cut. Not with the girls we had this year, but it was great to see her determination. Maybe it would pay off in time for next year.
Coach blew her whistle. “Take five to get some water, and we’ll move to passes.”
Daria and I walked over to the side of the court and started drinking from our bottles.
“Good job out there,” she said.
I tipped my chin at her. “You too.”
“Wanna partner up for passes?”
“Obviously.”
We took another minute to hydrate and walked over to where everyone stood forming two lines, facing one another. Coach had us starting with chest passes, then bounce passes. I watched everyone with a captain’s eye, thankful to see no one had gotten rusty over the summer. It was an unfortunate part of playing on the high school team versus competitive leagues. So
often, players got lazy over the summer and had to retrain their bodies. But it looked like everyone was pumped and ready for a good season this year.
When everyone started shooting drills, Coach called me over. I reluctantly jogged to where she stood watching everyone shoot free throws. Afraid of making things worse, I waited for her to speak. Thankfully, she wasted no time.
“We both know you have great aim, and I wanted to ask you what you thought about everyone.”
I turned to face Coach Scruggs and raised my brows.
“No, I’m not making you captain. I need someone who can actually play.” I let out a sigh. “But despite your hasty actions, I know you’re dedicated to this team and want to see us at state your senior year.”
I nodded. “Heck, yeah, I do.”
“So, what would you be telling me right now if you were captain.”
I watched as my soon-to-be teammates continued to throw the ball at the basket. With Coach’s instruction, they moved from free throws to lay-ups to two-point shots.
As I stood there, I made my recommendations for the starting five. Obviously, Daria was my suggestion for center. She was perfect for the dirty work. I named people for shooting guards, and forwards. When it came time to tell Coach who I thought the point guard should be, I stumbled over my words.
I wanted to tell her me. I should be the point guard if circumstances were different, but what good would that do the team? I scanned the girls as they took turns at the basket. “Jasmine should do it.”
Coach nodded. “I think you’re right, Charlie. I’ve already decided to name her captain, but it’s good to hear you can look at this objectively and not take it out on your teammates.”
“Coach Scruggs. I would never!” I felt my blood boiling just beneath the surface. “If you think I would do that…” I trailed off and shook my head unable to finish the thought.
“Calm down, Royce. I’m making you co-captain.”
“Wait. You are?”
Her lips were a thin line as she shook her head. “I can’t deny your hustle and ability.”
A grin broke out across my face.
“That doesn’t mean you can walk all over Jasmine. It means you yield to her, you encourage her. Do you understand?”
I pressed my lips together to keep the smile from widening. This was the best news I could have gotten today. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m serious, Charlie. Don’t make me regret this.”
“I won’t.”
She rolled her eyes. “Good. Now, get back out there and take a few shots before we break for the afternoon.”
I did as she said, and before long, she was telling everyone to head home. “I’ll post the team rosters tomorrow along with the captains for varsity and JV.”
Everyone packed up, and Daria kept giving me funny looks until we walked out to the parking lot away from listening ears.
“So, what was that all about?” she asked as we neared our cars. Preston had agreed to get a ride with Jeremiah after school, so I could stay late for tryouts.
“What do you mean?” I answered nonchalantly, as I adjusted the bag that hung over my shoulder. While I couldn't wait to tell Daria the good news, I wanted to mess around with her a bit first.
What good was it to have a best friend, if you couldn’t tease them a little?
She cleared her throat forcefully. “Obviously I’m asking what Coach said when she called you aside? Did she name you captain?”
I shook my head as I fought the smile that wanted to surface.
Daria drew her own conclusion and sighed. “That really stinks, Charlie. I’d kinda thought maybe she was going to find a way to make it work.”
I let her words hang in the air just long enough to drive it home before I added: “She said I could be co-captain though.”
My friend looked at me, and when realization had completely dawned on her, she punched my arm. “Shut up! You are such a loser.”
I laughed and rubbed the place where she hit me. Her punch was surprisingly hard, and I could feel the tenderness down to my muscle. “It’s not official, so don’t make a big deal out of it, okay?”
Daria stopped. “Um, hello? You are on athletic probation, and you still managed to get co-captain. I’d say that’s a testament to how awesome you are.”
“Maybe. I just need to make sure I’m on that court when the scouts come and watch us this year. It won’t matter if I’m captain, co-captain, or the best high school athlete in the whole freaking country if I’m sitting on the bench.”
We started walking again to where our cars were parked next to each other. Daria's pristine SUV made my car look like it belonged in an impound lot, but Preston and I had saved all summer to go in on it together. With two working parents, our jalopy was a luxury we never took for granted. It was freedom on four wheels.
“Well, I’m convinced that this year is going to be the best year ever. You broke ties with Anderson just in time. Now we can enjoy our senior year together.”
I shook my head. “Whatever you say, Daria.”
“I do say.”
My phone buzzed, and I quickly looked at the screen.
3:59 PM
Romeo: How were tryouts?
I hadn’t talked to him since our date at the haunted corn maze, but he’d still remembered how important today was.
“Who’s that?”
“Nothing.” I cleared my throat. “I mean, no one.”
“Charlotte Royce, do not lie to me. Judging by the stupid smile on your face, that isn’t no one. I’d say that is a very special someone.”
I put the hand that held my phone behind my back.
Daria’s eyes narrowed. “Have you been keeping secrets? Who is it?”
She took a step forward. I took a step back.
“You’d better tell me.”
I shook my head. “It’s nobody.”
Daria lunged forward and reached for my phone, but I held it just out of reach. We went back and forth until she eventually ripped it from my hands.
“So, who do we have here?” Her eyes scanned the screen. “Romeo?”
I looked at her with a blank expression, mentally praising my choice of contact name.
“I don’t know any Romeos.”
I stayed silent.
“Oh, my goodness. This is a code name, isn’t it?”
My face heated. “Don’t make a big deal out of this.”
She pointed her finger at me, her face filled with delight. “You have a secret boyfriend. Charlie!”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I mumbled.
“How long has this been going on?”
“I told you, he’s not my boyfriend. We’ve been on like, one date.” One wonderful date that landed me in a heap of trouble.
“And yet, he knew you had tryouts today. Sounds like it’s pretty serious. Romeo cares about his Juliet.”
“Shut up.”
“Want me to respond?” Her fingers wiggled just above the screen.
I reached out and grabbed my phone from her and shoved it into my pocket.
Daria crossed her arms over her chest. Now that the playfulness of playing tug-o-war over my phone had ended, she looked upset. “Why did you keep this from me?”
I shrugged. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Of course, it’s a big deal. Wait, are you embarrassed by him?”
I shook my head. Embarrassed wasn’t the right word. More like terrified of what Preston would say if he found out.
Her eyes widened. “Is he embarrassed by you? Please tell me you aren’t dating someone who’s in a relationship with someone else after what Anderson did to you.”
“No! Daria, I wouldn’t.”
She raised her brows.
“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It just kinda happened, and I’d just broken up with Anderson, and I didn’t want to be that girl.”
“What girl is that?”
“You know. The one who hops from boy to boy,” I explain
ed.
Daria snorted. “But you’re not, and anyone who knows you, knows that.”
“I guess I just didn't want to give anyone any more excuses to gossip about me, you know?
“Fine, I’ll let you have that one, but don’t think I’m going to drop it before you give me all the details.” She paused. “Like, does Romeo go to Rosemark?”
I shook my head.
“Wait...don’t tell me he goes to Pinebrook!”
I nodded.
“No wonder you named him that. You guys are star-crossed lovers like Romeo and Juliet.”
I put my face in my hands. I guess this is what happens when you name your secret crush after a famous play.
“If you promise not to let your relationship end in some type of suicide pact, I’ll allow it.”
“Yeah, I already told him no daggers and no poison, so we should be good.”
Daria’s smile was sly. “Does Preston know?”
I shook my head frantically. “Please don’t say anything, okay?”
“Whoa. Calm down. It’s not like it’s Brooks or anything.”
How did she guess? I tried to keep my expression blank but knew I failed miserably.
Daria burst out in laughter. “Your face was priceless. Chill, Charlie. I know you’re not that stupid.”
I forced a chuckle. “Yeah, right?”
She shook her head. “You’ll have to tell me more about lover boy later. I have to get home and finish reading Madame Bovary. I keep falling asleep every time I try, and our test is tomorrow.”
“Have you tried reading the CliffsNotes?”
“Yeah, and they’re just as bad.” She blew me a kiss and opened her car door. “Talk to you later.”
I gave a small wave. “Yeah, see ya.”
She drove off, and I couldn’t help but wonder how I was going to get out of the massive hole I kept digging for myself.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, Preston was a ball of nerves. He barely ate breakfast and drove like a maniac—even more so than usual. I thought I would tear the oh-crap handle from its spot above the passenger door on the way, but we made it to school alive.
Barely.
He turned to face me as we pulled into a spot. “Don’t forget to get a ride home today, since I’ll be staying late.”
Courtside Crush: Varsity Girlfriends Book One Page 9