“Brady Ryan. Do you like your locker?”
She studies Natalie like she’s a bug under her shoe that needs to be squashed. Then presses up against me in an attempt to be sexy.
“I tried to make sure it was just the way you liked it.” Turning her nose up at Nat, she whines, “Cute shoes.”
Stepping back, I try to put some distance between us. “Thanks, Aria. It looks great.”
Nat looks pissed.
“Come on, Nat. We don’t want to be late. Bye, Aria.” Nat and I turn and walk away.
“She seemed nice.” Nat isn’t looking at me as we sit down in time, not get marked late.
“I wouldn’t exactly call Aria nice. I guess she’s my secret cheerleader again this year.”
“Your secret what?”
“Secret cheerleader. She’ll decorate my locker and shit like that this season.”
“Oh, goodie,” Nat mutters sarcastically.
I don’t hate seeing this sweet girl jealous, even if she has no reason to be. I’m hoping that means she feels as possessive of me as I do of her. I can’t wait to take her out tomorrow night and show her that she’s it.
I’ve been so busy trying to keep our team from imploding this week that I haven’t planned anything for tomorrow night yet.
Guess that will be something to figure out tomorrow morning.
Hours later, the entire team is in the locker room, getting ready for the game.
We all have our routines.
Murphy psyches himself up in a mirror.
Bash tapes up his wrists and hands like a boxer.
Cooper is with the trainer getting stretched out.
Landon blasts his Meek Mill playlist loud enough to be heard in the parking lot.
I’m sitting with my back to the locker, noise-canceling headphones on, and my eyes closed. This helps me decompress and get into the zone. If I can tune everything out, it’s easier for me to focus, visualize the game.
I feel someone sit beside me before cracking my neck and opening my eyes to see who’s fucking with my zone.
Darby is next to me, looking uncomfortable.
Taking my headphones off, I wait for him to speak.
“Brady, I wanted to talk to you for a minute before the game.”
I just look at him. This fucker seems to be utterly oblivious to how much I want to fucking kill him. He’s lucky that my position on this team means that I can’t hurt him… yet.
“Listen, man, I know what happened at the beach was fucked up. I had too much to drink and wasn’t thinking clearly. I wanted to let you know that I’ve got your back out there today. Just thought it was important that my quarterback knows that.” Darby waits for an answer, an acceptance that doesn’t come.
He nods his head at me, gets up, and walks away.
Darby doesn’t offer his hand for a shake.
He just steps away.
He has always been a sneaky mother fucker, and I still don’t trust him.
Darby may be talking about a united team, but if he means it, it’s only for his benefit, not mine or the team’s.
Coach Maxwell comes into the locker room, and it’s time for the pregame speech.
25
Natalie
Chloe took me home after school today and made sure that I had everything I needed to get ready for the game tonight.
I may be going to the game with my Dad, but my BFF has my back. Of course, it was a whole lot easier to be sure of this move earlier when Chloe was here than it is now.
I’m dressed in the tightest, dark blue skinny jeans that I own. My hair is up in a high ponytail, with the curls hanging down and a navy blue ribbon tied around it. I refused to wear the booties that Chloe was pushing for, so instead, I have on my light pink converse. My brother Declan likes to laugh at my converse addiction. I have a pair in almost every color, but what can I say. My mom loves her Jimmy Choos, and I love my Chucks.
The vital part of my look tonight is the jersey that I’m wearing. It doesn’t say Sinclair on the back. Nope. The navy-blue Kroydon Hill’s jersey I’m wearing was given to me this afternoon by Chloe and has a number 6 on the back.
RYAN is written in big gold letters stretching from shoulder to shoulder.
Chloe said it was Brady’s jersey from last year. I am a little nervous about this.
I feel like I am doing something wrong.
We haven’t even gone on a date yet.
Do I have the right to wear his jersey?
Is Brady going to be annoyed that I did this without checking with him?
He didn’t give it to me.
Just as I’m spiraling down this path, my Dad yells up the stairs. “Come on, Nattie. We’ve got to get moving. I want to make sure we’re there before kickoff.”
“Coming, Dad.” One last look in the mirror, then I grab my phone and hurry down the steps. My dad is waiting by the door in the kitchen.
“Let’s go, Nattie.”
Heading out the door, I mumble, “I’m coming. I’m coming.”
Just as I get outside, I hear my dad mutter, “What the hell.”
Oops. I didn’t think about what my dad would say when he saw someone else’s name on a jersey I was wearing.
“What the hell are you doing wearing Ryan’s jersey Natalie? Why aren’t you wearing your brother’s jersey?”
“Uhm. I figured the cheerleader that Cooper has been seeing would be wearing his jersey tonight. Thought I’d leave that for her, and I’d wear Brady’s.” I try to end the conversation by opening the door and climbing into Dad’s ridiculously big Ford F-350. Thinking I just got myself out of this, I close the door and click my seatbelt into place.
Dad hops into his seat and closes his door. Looking at me before he starts the car, “Did you think the conversation was over? Is that the only reason you’re wearing this young man’s jersey, Natalie?”
“For now.”
Dad chews on that for a moment then returns his eyes to mine. “I expect to be kept informed if that changes. I trust you and your brother with more freedom than most kids ever get a taste of before college. Please do not make me regret it.”
“Okay.”
“I need to make sure you understand me. I am not ready to be a grandfather yet.”
Oh, God. Cringing, I can’t even look at my father right now. “Please, stop. I promise you that we do not need to be having this conversation. I’m just wearing a jersey.”
“A boy’s jersey that does not belong to either of your brothers. I’ve spent my life around football players, Natalie. Don’t act like I don’t have a right to have this discussion with you. I had this conversation with both of your brothers long before their senior year and trusted your mother to have them with you, but she’s not here, and I am. You are a beautiful young woman. Just be smart because the decisions that you make now affect the rest of your life.”
“Mom has had me on the shot since I was fourteen.”
“Dear God, Natalie Grace. Some things a father doesn’t want to know.”
“Then, don’t ask.” If I could throw myself out of this truck without dying right now, I would. This is the most awkward conversation that my father and I have ever had. Pretty sure neither of us will be able to look at each other when it’s over.
“Natalie, I need you to know that you can come to me with anything. Part of that is treating you respectfully, like the young adult you are. You may be eighteen years old, but you are still my baby girl. I trust you. Just don’t ruin that.”
“I won’t, Dad.”
“I mean it. I know that I leave the two of you alone in the house all of the time. I’m not going to tell you both not to have people over. I try to be a realistic parent. Just promise me that you will be smart about it.”
“I promise, Dad.”
As we pull up to the school’s football field, I can say with absolute certainty that I have never been so grateful to be able to get the hell out of the car before.
Dad and I walk in
through the gates together. I hear people murmuring all around us. Everyone knew that the new Kings coach had a son in this school. It’s been announced on the news and discussed on ESPN.
We hear a few, Hey, Coach Good luck this weekend, and even more, We gonna beat Boston this weekend, right Coach? When you win, they love you, when you lose the first game of the season, not so much.
Dad goes to the same spot I have seen him stand, no matter what field we were at, during every single one of both of my brother’s games throughout the years. He likes to be behind the end zone, by the goal post, right up at the fence. He always has.
I stand with him for now. “Dad, do you ever wonder what life would be like without football?”
He looks out at the still empty field.
The teams haven’t been announced yet.
The cheerleaders aren’t on the track.
The marching band is exiting it as we watch.
The lights are on, the sky is dark, and the air is starting to get crisp.
There is excitement surrounding us.
My question just slipped out without any forethought.
“You know what, Nattie. I don’t ever wonder what life would be like without football. I feel like it’s in my blood. It’s what I’ve always done. It was my first love, long before I was the college hot shot that met your mom or first laid eyes on you kids. There is something about being on that field, it’s when I feel most alive. Controlling that field, whether it was as a player or now as a coach, it makes me feel like a Spartan warrior going into battle, and I love it.
“It’s everything—the lights on your face, the smell in the air, the roar of the crowd. If you’re lucky, you get to feel that for four years of high school. If you’re unrelenting, you get to feel it on a college field.
“Only the chosen few warriors will feel it professionally.
“I’ve been lucky enough to feel all of that as a player and now a coach. I will never regret a minute of it. I hope your brothers feel the same way.” Never taking his eye off the field, my dad puts his arm around my shoulders, and I feel like I just got to see into his soul. “I always hoped that you felt some version of that on the stage.”
I leave that statement hanging with no answer.
Luckily the announcers are ready to announce the two teams. Soon the cheerleaders come out in the navy blue and gold uniforms, tumbling and kicking into their positions. Tiffany is at the center of it all, sitting on top of someone’s shoulders, holding the banner that our team is going to run through as they are announced.
I get actual butterflies in my stomach for our guys.
Just then, Chloe and Sabrina walk up. “Hi, Mr. Sinclair. Hey, Nat.” Chloe quickly appraises me and smiles. She introduces my dad to Sabrina and stands with us at the fence for a few minutes before going to stake out seats in the bleachers.
“I’ll meet you guys up there. I’m going to stay here for a little longer.”
“Gotcha, Nat.” Leaning into my ear, she whispers, “You look like a total babe.” Then, as I shake my head, the two of them head up to the bleachers.
“You can go with the girls if you want. You don’t have to keep me company.”
“I’m good right here. I’ll go up in a little bit.”
“Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
26
Brady
There is nothing like running on to this field. My senses are on high alert right now, trying to take it all in. AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells” is pumping through the speakers and into the crowd.
We ran on to the field to this song for the first time during my freshman year. We won the state championship that game and used this as our song every single time we have played since.
The excitement in the crowd is palpable, and it’s thrumming through my veins. It’s hard to explain how at peace I feel at this moment, with my teammates hollering to pump us up and bouncing on their toes—the crowd cheering on their favorite team, nothing but a sea of blue and gold. Murphy’s sister Carys is walking out on the fifty-yard line to sing the National Anthem.
This is my field.
My church.
And I will worship every last second that I get to spend on it.
We all quiet down and turn toward the flag at the back corner of the field for the Star-Spangled Banner. I don’t ever bother to look for anyone in the crowds during games, they aren’t on my team or on my field, which means for sixty minutes of football, they don’t exist to me.
But the sight that catches my eye has my heart beating harder than it was seconds ago.
Natalie Sinclair is standing on the sidelines, about 25 yards in front of the flag, next to her father.
Her back is turned toward me.
RYAN is printed across her small back in block letters. Where it is stretched shoulder to shoulder on me, it’s practically hanging off of her body, but it’s my jersey.
That’s when it clicks. At that moment, with my name on her back, I decide she is going to be the girl that wears my jersey for the rest of her life.
As the song ends and she turns back to the field, I catch her eye and don’t know that I have ever been so sure of anything.
We knew coming into this game it was going to be a battle. Our conference is full of powerhouse teams, and this game has been a bloodbath. There are ten seconds left on the clock. If we don’t score, we are going into sudden-death overtime.
The crowd is going crazy.
The marching band is playing our fight song.
Coach calls a time out. “Ryan! Get over here.”
Running over to him, I ask, “What’s the plan, coach? Are we throwing or kicking?”
“How’s the arm? Do you have that throw in you?”
“Yes, sir. I can throw that. Let me get it to Cooper. We can win this now, Coach.”
“You’ve got this, Ryan. Go win this game.”
Running back to the huddle, I relay the play. “You good, Coop?”
“I’ll be there, QB.”
The clock is running. I am on the 30-yard line.
Calling the play, I step back as Cooper sprints down the field. I shut everything else off.
The linebacker coming at me.
The fans screaming.
I find Cooper and throw the spiral right before I get tackled. He knocks the wind out of me for a second, but I still see Cooper catching the ball and crossing the end zone.
The clock runs out, and we win the game.
It isn’t until that moment that I register the roar of the crowd, and my eyes immediately search the sidelines for Nattie. She is jumping up and down, screaming next to her dad.
I watch Cooper run over to his dad and hug him.
One win down. Twelve more to go to get us to State.
27
Natalie
I have never enjoyed a football game this much in my entire life. Which is saying something since Cooper and I were two weeks old the first time my mom took us to one of my dad’s games. I never even went to sit with Chloe and Sabrina because I didn’t want to be that far away from the field. I understand now why my dad stands at the fence.
We were so close to all of the action. I could see every play.
Every hit, every catch and every perfect spiral as it traveled down the field.
I can’t stop cheering.
Dad and I are still standing there when Chloe and Sabrina run over to us.
“Oh, My God! That was AMAZING!” Chloe is so loud that Dad takes a step back.
I excitedly hug her. “It was. That was so much fun to watch. I love it when they win!”
“Where are you ladies going to be waiting for your brothers? I’ll walk you. I have a plane to catch and have to get going.”
“Thanks, Mr. Sinclair. I parked by the guy's cars, so we were just going to wait there.” We are following behind my dad when Chloe leans into me. “Your dad is so freaking hot, Nat.”
“Oh, my God. Stop.” I laugh.
&nb
sp; She snaps a quick picture. “I’m texting this to Luca.”
We all walk over to Chloe’s car. Then leaning in, my dad hugs me. Whispering in my ear, “If your brother throws a party tonight, do not let anyone destroy our house, please. Absolutely no drinking and driving. I’m trusting you both. Remember, good decisions.” Then he straightens. “Goodnight, ladies.” Kissing my cheek, he walks away as if he did not just blow my mind.
Dad knows we’re throwing a party?
And, he’s okay with it?
What the hell?
I wait for him to be out of earshot. “Holy shit, my dad knows that we are throwing a party and just said not to destroy his house. He didn’t say no parties. He didn’t sound pissed. Just don’t destroy the house.” I’m shocked.
“Awesome! Don’t worry too much about the house. I can help you clean up tomorrow.”
“Me too.” Sabrina chimes in. “My soccer game is at nine in the morning, so I can come over after it’s done in the afternoon. We should be back by twelve.”
“Thanks, girls!”
Tiffany practically skips over to us. Her cheer bag with pom poms sticking out of it is on one arm, and another cheerleader is on her other arm. Brady’s secret freaking cheerleader, Aria, is behind them with two other girls I don’t know. They’ve all changed out of their uniform into tight little dresses. “Did I hear right, girls? Cooper said earlier today there is a party at your house tonight, Natalie.”
“That’s what he told me today. I didn’t make any plans, so I don’t even know what we have at the house.”
All In (The Kings of Kroydon Hills Book 1) Page 14