15. Alice
Alice
It’s six o’clock in the morning, and after three cups of coffee, I feel like I’ve been awake for hours.
I’m like a kid on Christmas Eve, as today is one of my favorite days of the year.
I love when all of the brainstorming, sponsor hunting, planning, and preparations come together, and today’s event should be flawless.
We are ready for our Mighty Monarchs Fall Camp.
“I’m excited for today,” Kelli whispers as we walk onto the field at the practice facility.
Along with the Tarpons being our main sponsor, they also offered up the space for us to host the event.
Free. Of. Charge. In exchange, Brian, Danica, and Ross will be here getting footage to use as part of their involvement in the community.
Danica also agreed to shoot some extra content for us, free of charge.
“That makes two of us. I feel like we’ve worked hard and we’ve been given so many advantages this year.
My heart is full,” I tell her, leaning in to hug her.
I also take a silent extra moment to be grateful for her.
I know after being friends with Ryder for such a long time that I don’t need a large circle.
Just one or two close friends and I’m content.
He used to joke that I was the loyalist of the loyal, but I never thought of that as a bad characteristic, just the best one.
Pulling back, I take in a deep breath and soak up the silence before the chaos begins. There’s not a whole lot to do, as we did a lot of it last night, but then we hear voices, and they’re traveling from the outside and onto the practice field. Male voices that are getting louder.
Male voices that eventually walk through the door and are attached to faces. Beside me, Kelli stiffens.
“What is he doing here?” she all but snarls.
It’s a group of five Tarpons players, and they’re heading our way.
I know I told Ryder that we could always use the help, but I didn’t think he was serious about wanting to, and I certainly didn’t think he’d bring reinforcements.
And then for a split second, I wonder if they weren’t informed that we would be using the space today and the team is showing up to practice.
“Hello, ladies,” Rico says to us, while winking at Kelli.
Beside me, she frowns, but in front of me, Ryder has stopped and is looking down at me.
God, he’s so handsome it hurts to look at him.
Again, I notice how broad his shoulders have gotten and how his arms are much more muscular with their stupidly defined biceps peeking out under the sleeve of his T-shirt, the visible lines and grooves that dip up and down, and don’t forget his forearms, which are attached to his hands.
Hands that I used to love. I hate that he looks so perfect.
“What are you all doing here?” Kelli asks. There are four defensive players, Ryder, Rico, Miles, and Dylan, and one offensive player, Camden.
“We are here to volunteer,” Ryder says.
“Really? That’s . . . kind of all of you,” I tell them, looking at each one and smiling.
“So put us to work.” Rico claps his hands. “I hear there’s going to be cameras here today. The ladies like it when we show our softer side.” He waggles his brows.
Kelli tilts her head as she stares at him. “Oh my God, you’re insufferable.”
“Insufferable or irresistible?” He winks at her.
“Oh, definitely insufferable, and you’re very resistible,” she tells him, crossing her arms over her chest.
He recoils. “You know, I don’t think you’re a nice person,” he says, scowling at her. Ryder clasps him on the shoulder. “I even got my hair cut for this.” He runs his hand over his head.
She rolls her eyes, and the guys behind him crack up.
“Please, tell us how we can help,” Ryder butts in, effectively ending Rico’s pouting.
“All right. Outside is a moving truck. Inside there are one hundred and fifty backpacks. We need those brought in and placed behind the registration table, which is there.” I point at the tables that were provided during our walk-through last night.
These are set in front of the indoor stadium seats, which makes it easy for the parents who are staying.
“And as for the rest of the stuff in the truck, if you’ll bring it in and set it over there.
” I point toward the long wall that runs the length of the field. “That would be a huge help. Thank you.”
One corner of Ryder’s mouth lifts. It’s familiar that an instant ache bounces around inside my chest.
“Anywhere behind the tables?” Camden asks.
“Yes. There’s a tag on each one, and they are alphabetical by last name. Please line them up so they’re easy to find.”
Camden and Ryder both nod.
“Thank you again,” I say to all of them, relieved to have that one task taken off our plate this morning.
Kelli and I watch as they leave the field.
She whirls on me and eyes me suspiciously. “How did this happen?”
“After the television event, he asked if we needed help, and I said yes. I didn’t think he’d take me up on it. And then last week he texted me for the details.”
She pops a perfectly arched eyebrow. “So we’re texting now?”
“No. Literally, that was it. Stop with the inquisition. We have work to do,” I tell her as I drag her to the check-in table where a group of students have come in and are waiting for us. This event also serves as volunteer hours for some of our high schoolers who need hours for graduation.
Over the next hour and a half, we get everything ready.
The check-in table, the social media backdrops, water stations, and the practice zones.
More and more people have arrived, and a line has started to form outside the door.
I’m reviewing the logistics of the agenda one more time when Ryder wanders over.
There’s a faint lingering smell of the cologne he had on the other day, and I hate that I like the smell so much.
“Everything looks really great. I can’t believe this is something that you did.”
What? Can’t he believe it?
I turn to face him. “What does that mean?”
His face blanches a bit. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way. I’m impressed by this. By you. From what I see and what I know, you’ll build an amazing program here.”
Oh.
How do I respond to this? Having him compliment me feels wrong.
“Thanks,” I mumble, looking back down at my clipboard.
“So, what’s in the backpacks? They weren’t that light?”
He’s trying to change the subject, which I appreciate. What I don’t appreciate is the attempt at small talk. We don’t do small talk. In fact, we don’t talk at all.
“There’s some good stuff this year. The backpacks were donated.
We had them monogrammed with our logo. Actually, pretty much everything is logo’d.
Inside is their T-shirt, a water bottle, silver pom-poms, purple laces, purple hair ties, a lanyard, a zip pouch filled with lots of health and beauty products like a hairbrush, makeup remover, lip gloss, a mini deodorant, a cooling towel, and snacks.
Lots of snacks, and the Tarpons donated a few things, too, like King Silver plushies. ”
“That’s really nice.”
“Hey, Alice,” Kelli yells. “I think we’re ready.”
Instantly, a smile splits across my face. Each time we have an event, together we go and open the doors. Something about seeing all the happy faces fills my soul.
“Coming!”
I glance at Ryder. He gives me a closed-mouth smile, and I run off to join her. I can feel his eyes on me. I hate that I like it. Good, let him look. Let him watch me walk away.
The next hour is insane as families come through the door.
We always have a lot of siblings, and the parents are even more exuberant about taking lots of photos.
The volume of noise has increased, all of the media locations are being used, the breakfast snacks are being devoured, and I love all of it.
I love watching the community come together because they want to be a part of something greater.
By eight thirty, it is time to get started.
The high schoolers corral everyone into a group, and Kelli and I launch into our welcome speech.
We go over housekeeping and safety rules.
We talk about the importance of kindness and being there for not only our friends but also others in the community.
We talk about the agenda for the day and the overall goal of everyone learning one routine that consists of a short cheer to start, a dance, and then a short cheer to end.
“Today we’re going to break out into six teams. When you checked in at registration, you were given a wristband with your team color.
Each team will have a head coach, and I’d like to introduce them to you now.
Step on down, coaches,” I say to the six senior cheerleaders who I selected.
Each one is from a different high school in a different part of town.
While a lot of them have several of their friends here today as well, I thought it was important to diversify our whole group’s outreach.
“Everyone say hello to Karla, Amy, Kandi, Lena, Sara, and Brittany. If you have any questions or need anything, ask your coach, and they will help you or direct you to someone who can.”
The idea of the six groups splits them by age and experience. When they all come together, the routine will look cohesive but include different elements happening at the same time, like gymnastics, stunts, dance, and pom-poms.
“Okay. Okay. Okay. Are y’all ready for the most exciting surprise ever?
” I look around at all the smiling faces.
They’re nodding their heads, completely locked on what I’m about to tell them.
“Well, we have to work super hard on our routine today. I mean really hard because the Tampa Tarpons have invited all of you to be their guests and to perform as part of a halftime show at one of their home games in late October!”
Instant gasps, and then the screaming takes over as they jump up and down and hug their friends.
“Don’t worry, parents, there are tickets for all of you as well.”
I’m still shocked at how generous the Tarpons have been this year.
The max time an individual is a cheerleader for a professional organization is usually around five years.
If I’m lucky enough to cheer for them that long, I hope after the success of this event and the one in the spring, they’ll see how we’re making a difference and continue to be on board as a sponsor. I’m so proud.
“Okay, when your team color is called, please rise and follow your coach. It’s time to get to work!”
Section by section, the kids break off with their color and their coaches, until only Kelli and I are left.
“You know, I know I’ve told you thank you before, but I need to say it again,” she says, looking at me with glossy eyes. “This experience enriches my life, and that’s because of you and your vision.”
I lean over and hug her. What she doesn’t realize is this vision doesn’t exist without her. She came into my life when I needed her desperately, and that’s what I want this program to be for others. If we can help just one or two not feel alone, then we’ve done our job.
“Thank you for being my friend and wanting to be a part of this. It’s just as much yours as it is mine. I thought up the idea, but we’ve executed it together.”
She pulls back. “Maybe, but I’m not the one being forced to spend time with my ex for some money. In a way, you’ve pimped yourself out good.”
I burst out laughing and wipe my eyes. “Oh my God. Would you stop?”
“Never.” She grins. “Okay, I’m going to go check on the catering for lunch. Make sure everything is all set to get here on time.”
Kelli skips off toward the door, and as I make my way to the registration table. I look around for Ryder and his friends and find them with the stunt team. That has to be Kelli’s doing.
Across the room, his eyes lock with mine and hold. I’ll never tell him that he was the catalyst for this. I’m not sure that it even matters anymore. What does matter is what Kelli and I built, and I hope it stays.