Once the team had split into blue and red, Coach pointed to the side closest to the exits. “Blue team, you’ll be defense.” He then tossed the ball to Chase Stevens, who was wearing a red jersey. “You and Maxwell at the other end of the court. I want you guys to show me you know how to play this darn game.”
Chase and I hustled down to inbound the ball. He’d been quiet during practice, not taunting me or giving me the stink eye. In fact, he’d been keeping to himself, which made me scratch my head. We hated each other. He was the reason why Coach had benched me for three games.
I studied my enemy.
He bounced the ball, his expression devoid of any emotion, which was a stark contrast to when I’d first met him when he was loud and proud and a bully like his sister, Tessa.
“Remember, Maiken,” Tessa said behind me. “We’re meeting after practice.”
I clenched my teeth at the sound of her voice. All she wanted to do was steal me away from Quinn. I wouldn’t be surprised if the fundraiser she kept gabbing about was all a hoax to get my attention.
The cheerleaders giggled.
Chase glanced past me to his sister. “Why am I not surprised you picked him for your fundraiser team?”
And the Chase Stevens I knew was back—patronizing, loathing, and irritating. At least I felt like I was in the right place, because for a moment, I hadn’t been sure.
Despite Chase, I wasn’t about to acknowledge his sister even though the tension in me was ready to snap.
“Shut it, brother. I could give you shit about having the hots for pig girl.”
Don’t turn around. Don’t spit at her. Don’t even make a sound.
I was having a hard time refraining from doing something to shut her up, like stuff a sock in her mouth.
Chase stuck out his middle finger at his sister.
All that tension in me eased, and I grinned. Maybe he had some redeeming qualities after all. I knew he was defending Quinn’s honor because he liked her, yet at the moment, I wanted to high-five him. He had my girl’s back.
“Let’s go,” Coach shouted. “Stop gossiping down there.”
Chase whipped the ball at me.
Catching it, I narrowed my eyes at him. “What the heck?”
He’s mad at his sister, not you. In part, that was probably true.
“Just throw the ball in,” he said with venom in his tone.
I hesitated for a split second to get the anger I was harboring under control because I was on the verge of throwing the ball at his head.
Once the ball was inbound, Chase jogged down to take up his position as shooting guard. He might’ve been jealous of me dating Quinn, but I was jealous that he’d gotten his way and could play shooting guard like he’d wanted. Coach had given me the position until Chase had thrown a temper tantrum. Yet in all fairness to Coach, he’d explained that Chase didn’t have the skill to lead a team as a point guard, and Coach thought I did.
However, I’d never played point guard before, so I was learning the position as I went.
My basketball shoes squeaked along the wood floor as I dribbled down the court. Between the suicides and not sleeping well the night before, I swore I was a second away from passing out.
I waved off Phil Miller, our small forward, to get around his opponent.
“Pass the ball to me, Maxwell,” Chase hollered at the top of his lungs, waving his arms as though he were stranded at sea.
“Get open, then.” My voice echoed through the gym. All Chase did was hang under the net, giving me no opportunity to pass the ball to him since our zone defense was doing their job.
Liam held out his hands, free as a bird.
I was about to pass the ball to him when Coach’s whistle trilled. “Everyone stop and don’t move.” He stomped out to midcourt, scowling. “What in the world is going on? Have you boys forgotten how to play the game? Miller, you should be moving your ass more under the basket, not hiding behind Rich. Chase, why are your feet glued to the floor? Maxwell, look at Woods. He’s wide open.”
So was Liam, but I dared not argue with Coach. I wanted to play this season, not sit on the bench.
Coach pulled the ball away from me then tossed it to one of three freshmen sitting on the sidelines. “All of you, find a seat on the bleachers.”
Coach Dean could be rather scary when he spoke, even more so when his temper flared. He wanted to win games. He wanted us to work seamlessly as a team. I wanted all that too. I wanted scouts to watch me play well. I wanted a basketball scholarship to a good school like Ohio State or my dad’s alma mater, UCLA, which were two of the top three on my list. But I wouldn’t get noticed as a great player if I couldn’t grasp the point guard position or if I kept throwing punches at Chase during games.
The ten of us found spots on the bleachers. I settled in the second row.
Liam joined me on my right, shoving his fingers through his sweat-soaked hair. “I have a feeling Coach is going to bring out the big guns.”
Coach paced in front of us. I swore steam was billowing out of his ball cap.
I scanned the stands across from us. Only one boy and girl remained, and there was still no sign of Quinn. I assumed she would’ve shown up by then since Liam was her ride home.
Coach tucked his hands into the pockets of his khakis and seemed to glare at me. “I’ve made a decision.”
My stomach knotted even though I hadn’t done anything wrong, except for the two failing grades I had in English and chemistry.
Coach pulled off his ball cap, scratched his head, then put his hat back on. “This team sucks. I don’t see us winning any games. You’re horrible. The game is about teamwork. It’s about fluidity of the plays. It’s about getting into a position where Maxwell can pass the ball to you. It’s not about who scores the most points. It’s not about one individual. One of you screws up, everyone screws up.” He flattened his lips into a thin line.
Liam leaned his elbows on his knees. “So what’s your decision?”
“For the next month,” Coach began, “we’ll spend one day a week doing something outside of school hours as a team.”
“I vote for skiing,” Chase offered.
“Or shooting at the gun club,” Miller said.
Coach chuckled, and it sounded as though whatever he had in mind wouldn’t be something we were going to enjoy. “All of you will meet me at the Thompson farm at five a.m. tomorrow.”
Chase reared back. “What? You want us to clean up shit?”
Liam growled low as he slapped Chase on the back of the head.
“Hey,” Chase said. “It’s your farm, not mine.”
The rest of the team were shaking their heads.
I kept my mouth shut. I’d helped Quinn with chores, although horses weren’t my thing. Regardless, I would get to see Quinn, and I chalked that up as a win. No better way to start my day.
“Do you know anything about this?” I asked Liam in a low voice.
“Not a clue.”
“I can tell you right now, Coach,” Chase continued. “I’m not working on a farm.”
“It might do you some good,” Liam said in a deep, hard tone. “It might put life into perspective for you instead of getting things handed to you on a silver platter.”
Chase pushed Liam, who in turn fell into me.
Liam stood, ready to beat Chase to a pulp.
Coach wagged his finger at us. “Sit down, Thompson. This is what I’m talking about. None of you can get along.”
“We did when Alex was here,” Woods, who sat directly in front of me, said.
Coach’s eyebrows rose. “You’re right, Rich. I think it’s time to elect a team captain.”
I hadn’t thought about a captain, but word from the guys was that Alex had been a great one, keeping everyone in line. I wasn’t ready for that role and wasn’t sure I wanted to lead a team yet. Besides, captains didn’t kill their teammates—something I would do to Chase Stevens.
Coach scrubbed a hand over his chin.
“We’ll vote at practice on Thursday. So between now and then, think about who you would like to see as your captain. And of course, as most of you know, I have the final say. Also, practice is canceled tomorrow and Wednesday. I have some personal business after school. We’ll make up for lost time on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to get ready for our game on Monday.”
I leaned into Liam. “I vote for you.” Liam would be the perfect person for the job. Like his brother, Carter, he didn’t take shit from anyone, and people listened to him.
The loud squeak from the exit door made me turn my head. Basketball took a back seat when I laid eyes on my girl. She glided in like an angel, her long hair spilling down her chest, her sweater hugging her in all the right places, and her big smile that was only for me.
When she tucked her hair behind her ear, I was ready to jump off the bleachers. I desperately wanted to be that hand and feel her silky hair run through my fingers.
My brother Ethan thought it was funny that I’d brooded the entire time I was in Georgia. My feelings for Quinn made me understand why Ethan had sulked when we’d moved to Ashford and he’d had to leave his now ex-girlfriend behind.
Liam nudged me out of my reverie. “Stop drooling over my sister. It’s not cool.”
I smirked. I didn’t care how it looked. Quinn was my girl, and brother or not, he wasn’t going to stop me from looking.
Quinn climbed the bleachers with Celia not far behind. I hadn’t noticed Celia before.
Liam elbowed me.
I smiled at my girl then turned my focus back to Coach.
“A final word about tomorrow before I let the cheerleaders speak. If one of you doesn’t show or is late tomorrow morning, then all of you will pay the price.”
“What will we be doing?” I asked.
Coach Dean picked up his clipboard. “I’ll explain everything tomorrow. But make sure you’re wearing boots.”
Chase sneered. “You’ll be getting a call from my dad, Coach.”
“I have his approval,” Coach said with satisfaction in his tone.
Chase sucked in a sharp breath.
I grinned, enjoying every minute of the hell Chase was in.
Liam slapped Chase on the shoulder. “I’ll make sure you’re with the pigs.”
Chase groaned.
Coach waved the cheerleaders over.
I stiffened as I sat up straighter.
The squad hurried over with smiles all around. The only girl that stood out in height was a redhead who was about four inches taller than her counterparts.
“Brianna,” Coach said. “Please explain what the fundraiser is all about this year.”
Brianna Masters was petite, and her long brown hair was tied up in a ponytail. She was pretty but wore too much makeup for me. As she spoke, she fidgeted with credit cards in her hands. “Hey, guys. For this year’s fundraiser, we’ll be going door to door, selling these cards for twenty dollars. On the card are discounts to places like Shakers, the ice-skating rink, and other local businesses in town.”
“Her dad owns the ice-skating rink,” Liam said.
I gave him a sidelong glance. “And that should excite me why?”
“No reason. My brother Carter has a thing for her, though.”
Brianna continued. “On Saturday afternoon, you’ll be paired with a cheerleader to sell twenty-five cards. And with thirteen teams of two, we could raise $6,500 that will fund our away games and other necessary expenses for the sports program.”
“What if we don’t sell all the cards?” Liam asked. “Are we doing this every day until we can?”
“Let’s start with Saturday,” Brianna said.
“Why not set up a table at the home game on Monday and sell them?” Chase offered.
Tessa stepped out of formation. “We’ll have them available at the refreshment stand, but we won’t sell all of them at the game.” Her gaze was cemented to me.
Suddenly, I felt like I needed a shower.
“I’m not partnering with Tessa,” I said as low as I could to Liam.
“If you want to be a team player, you really don’t have a choice,” he fired back.
I gritted my teeth. “We all have choices.” But I knew if I didn’t participate, Coach would have my hide.
Coach cleared his throat. “The cheerleaders have everyone paired up, and everyone will participate.” He emphasized those last two words.
Liam snickered. “No getting out of it, Maxwell.”
I threw my head in my hands as Brianna listed off the pairs. When she said my name alongside Tessa’s, I wanted to puke. I dared not look at Quinn, afraid if I did, I would find sadness written all over her. And that would devastate me.
Anger burned every nerve ending in me as I ground my back teeth together. I wanted to protest and tell Coach that Tessa and Maiken weren’t working together, but then I would only be like Tessa—crying about something I didn’t like. That wasn’t me. Daddy had taught me a long time ago that sometimes I had to accept things that were out of my control. Besides, I couldn’t cry about a fundraiser for the school. In spite of that, I would think of something to make sure Tessa didn’t get her grubby hands on Maiken.
“Brianna and Liam,” Celia said almost to herself. Celia had a thing for my brother, and her tone screamed jealousy. But I didn’t think Brianna had any interest in Liam. Like Tessa, Brianna could be a snob, though rumor around school was that Brianna had changed since her boyfriend, Alex Baker, had died.
Coach Dean left, as did most of the cheerleaders, basketball team, and spectators, leaving Tessa, who climbed the bleachers to sit next to Maiken. Brianna cornered Liam as he stepped down. Chase picked at a nail, coyly watching his sister. Celia kept Liam in her sights. I sat rigid, watching, thinking, and silently screaming.
Maiken finally removed his hands from his face and peeked my way. His eyes pleaded with me to help him out.
That was all I needed to kick myself into high gear. I popped up like a jack-in-the-box, grabbed the plastic bag of Tessa’s clothes I’d borrowed from her that night of her party, and stormed across the shiny wood floor. Hurried footsteps pounded behind me as Celia trailed. Nerves coiled in the pit of my stomach as the bag in my hand trembled.
Maiken met me at center court, and Tessa followed him at breakneck speed.
Liam, Brianna, and Chase came over as though they were a security detail about to prevent a brawl.
All of us were in somewhat of a circle with Maiken at my side. He seemed to be watching me, maybe because I was breathing fire.
“Sis,” Liam said. “Are you okay?”
Not in the least. Images of Tessa and me pulling out each other’s hair flashed before my eyes.
Swallowing my nerves, I dug deep for the courage to say something. I was afraid to open my mouth, though. With my luck, I would stutter or spout off some fact about hussies and harridans.
Tessa fisted her hands at her side, ready to take me on, much like I’d done that morning when I approached her in the hall.
“Tessa.” Brianna’s soprano voice snapped one cord of tension. “Remember the rules. No fighting, or you’ll be suspended from the squad.”
Suddenly, Momma’s words about trouble and not dating Maiken blared in my head.
Those fisted hands at Tessa’s side loosened. “You know I don’t physically fight.”
I rolled my eyes. “There’s a first for everything.” I silently high-fived myself for not stuttering.
Chase grinned. “I’m digging your spunk, Quinn.”
Tessa huffed. “Chase, why don’t you just kiss her already and be done with it.”
Shooting daggers at Chase, Maiken draped his arm around me and tugged me to him. His body was warm and strong, and we fit together so well. In that moment, I felt like I could do anything.
Chase considered Maiken then me. “I think it’s time we go home, Tessa.”
Maiken’s jaw hit the floor. Even my brother had shock written all over his sweaty face.
I w
as partly surprised Chase hadn’t said something snarky to his sister or to Maiken when he’d pulled me to him.
I jutted out my chin and handed the plastic bag to Tessa. “Here’s your clothes.” My voice was laced with all kinds of sugar. “Remember? The ones I’d borrowed at your holiday party.”
Kill them with kindness was something Momma would say often when a mean customer in the farm store confronted her.
Tessa swatted my hand. “I told you to burn them.”
The bag fell to the floor.
Walk away. Don’t cry. You’re better than her.
I wasn’t sure about the latter. I wanted to hit her as much as she wanted to hurt me. So I was no better than her.
Taking in a breath, I searched every nook and cranny in me for patience more than confidence. “Why are you so m-mean?”
I’d read up on bullying, and some of the reasons bullies lashed out were stress, abuse, insecurity, and jealousy. The one I could pin on Tessa was insecurity, which I didn’t understand. She was pretty, she was popular, and she had a beautiful home and loving family. Regardless, I couldn’t figure out how her insecurity related to hating me.
Brianna flashed her brown gaze at Tessa. I had a feeling she was waiting for a reason to kick Tessa off the squad.
Chase picked up the bag of clothes. “She’s just jealous of you, Quinn.”
I did a double take. I lived on a farm, had my nose in books most of the time, and wasn’t popular in the least. Surely she couldn’t be envious of all that. Then again, if anyone knew the real reason why Tessa had it out for me, it was her brother.
Tessa’s cheeks flamed red. “Shut up!”
“Oh my God,” Celia said. “That makes total sense. You’ve always hated when teachers put Quinn up on a pedestal for her grades or always having the right answers in class. And now that she’s dating Maiken, your jealousy is off the charts because she won the boy. You can’t accept that Maiken doesn’t want you.”
Maiken squeezed me to him as though making it very clear to everyone that we were boyfriend and girlfriend and no one would tear us apart.
I snuck a peek at Chase to see how he was taking all this since he’d made his intentions known that he liked me. Not that long ago, he’d been determined to win me over before Maiken and I had become an item. I didn’t want him to steal me away from Maiken. The Chase I knew was much like his sister—determined, a bully, and he didn’t take no for an answer. Yet the Chase I was looking at now had a blank expression. He seemed more reserved and seemed to be shying away from confrontation.
My Heart to Hold: A Maxwell Family Saga - Book Two Page 2