Chapter Twenty-eight Vaughn
Chapter Twenty-eight
Vaughn
“Again,” Dad yells and then blows the whistle.
We take off, sprinting from one goal line to the other and back. I’ve lost track of how many we’ve run. At least ten. And Dad doesn’t look like he’s ready to ease up any time soon.
When everyone is back, Dad hesitates to blow the whistle again. Hope blooms in my chest. I get that we started off kind of rough yesterday, but we pulled it together and won.
“Are you tired? Do you want to quit?” He lets his gaze roam over every player. “If you are ready for the season to be over, just say the word. We can all go home right now.”
No one says a thing.
“Yesterday you did not look like a team who wanted to play in the championships. You were unfocused, sloppy, and you failed to do the things we’ve worked on all season long.
” He paces now, moving the whistle back up to his lips.
“We will not beat Pacific if we show up the same way. They will take every opportunity we give them, and they will score.”
He gives us a few seconds longer to catch our breath before the whistle sounds again.
We run sprints until people start getting sick. My stomach cramps at the sound of Barrett retching. Though it serves him right. He was such an asshole last night.
After a quick water break, we go through our normal drills, then break into two teams to scrimmage.
I’m glad we seem to be working together better today. I don’t know if the team is inspired by Dad’s words or just fearful of running more.
Dad is eager to point out every mistake, so I know when he falls quiet in the last ten minutes that we’ve finally found our rhythm again. Thank fuck.
The whistle blows and Dad walks out onto the field.
“Pacific on Monday. They’ve had a longer break than you.
They’re going to be rested and ready to play.
They’ve also had longer to study our game.
This is not the time to lose focus. Get some rest this afternoon. Practice tomorrow at the same time.”
We huddle up and put our hands in. Dad looks to me.
“Knights on three,” I say. “One, two…”
“Knights,” we all say in unison, dropping our hands.
I’m looking forward to a shower and lying around on the couch today. Between the game and practice, my body aches.
“Where’d you and Lacey disappear to last night?” Austin asks, falling into step beside me.
“We took one of Doyle’s four-wheelers out for a ride.”
He smirks.
“Shut the fuck up.” I’ve said too much. Everyone knows that’s code for going off to hook up.
In truth, we did a lot more than that. We talked and stared up at the stars. Yes, we also kissed until my lips were chapped and my dick was so hard it hurt, but that isn’t what it’s about with Lacey.
“I didn’t say anything,” Austin insists, still smirking.
A smile tugs at my lips.
We stop next to our bags. Rowan comes up from behind us and plops onto the ground beside his stuff.
“So are you two official now?” Austin asks me.
I shrug one shoulder. “We haven’t really talked about it.”
“But you like her enough to date her, right?”
“Of course I do.”
It must come out a little harsher than I intended because Austin laughs. “Easy, Cap, just making friendly conversation.”
I try again, a little calmer. “Yes, I like her, but it’s still new. No reason to rush things.”
In truth I like her a lot. She’s smart and funny, and when I’m with her, I feel happier than I can remember.
Last night was the perfect example. After that run-in with Barrett I was ready to get out of there, but a few minutes of talking with her and I felt better.
And by the end of the night, I’d all but forgotten about Barrett, the game, and everything else.
“I’m happy for you,” he says.
I nod my head in thanks.
Austin takes off his cleats and tosses them on top of his bag. “What are you guys doing tonight?”
“I’m not sure,” I say. We didn’t make plans, but I hope I can see her again.
“Claire and I are going to the movies. You and Lacey should come.”
“How cute, a double date.” Rowan finally pipes in.
He is one of the guys who drank too much and dragged at the start of practice.
But in typical Rowan fashion, he bounced back fast and pulled it together.
He’s so talented, he doesn’t have to work as hard to be a contributing member of the team.
There’s no telling how good he’d be if he actually tried.
“You can come too,” Austin tells him.
“I love being the fifth wheel,” he says dryly. “No thanks. Have fun, lovebirds.”
“Torrance and one of her friends are coming too,” Austin says, and then he looks back to me. “Are you in?”
“Sure. Yeah. I’ll ask her.”
Austin grins widely. “She’ll say yes.”
* * *
After practice I head home, text Lacey about tonight and confirm she’s free, shower, eat, and then take up residence on the couch to relax. I must fall asleep because I wake up late in the afternoon to Dad watching video of Pacific on his laptop in one of the matching chairs.
I sit up, and he glances over at me.
“There’s chicken and rice in the kitchen,” he says before moving his attention back to the screen.
“Thanks.” I stand and go into the other room. I fill a plate and grab a glass of water.
He places the laptop on the coffee table. While I eat, I watch the game with him. He doesn’t say much, just scribbles notes down on his notepad.
It’s hit me how similar my house is to Lacey’s with a dad who’s always working. I spend more time with my dad than she does with hers, but if it weren’t for soccer, would we ever interact?
Dad clears his throat. “Your mom said you two have been talking on the phone.”
“Yeah.”
He nods and studies me carefully, or at least that’s how it feels. “I’m glad.”
“You are?” I can’t hide the surprise from my voice.
“Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know. You don’t ever talk about her.”
“Your mother and I didn’t work out, but she’s still your mom.”
“Yeah,” I say, then, “Why not?”
His brows pinch together and then the intent of my question must hit.
“Too many reasons to list.”
“Can I have one?” I ask, feeling exasperated. No one in this family talks and it’s frustrating.
“Location, for one. She wanted to stay in London, and I thought it would be better to start new here, away from the media and spotlight.”
I smirk.
“What?”
I glance around the room. “Kind of ironic considering you’re filming a documentary in the house.”
“Do you want me to stop?” He seems genuine in his question, but somehow that makes me all the more agitated.
“No. It’s fine. I just want to know what happened with you and mom.”
“It didn’t work out. End of story.”
I groan and stand. “Forget it.”
The only bright spot is I have my date with Lacey to look forward to. I can’t remember the last time I went on an actual date, and I don’t want to screw it up.
“Vaughn,” Dad calls after me.
I stop and look back at him. He hesitates as if considering his words.
“I received a couple more videos of Pacific from earlier in the season. Including their game against Springfield.”
I stare back at him. I shouldn’t be surprised he’s pulled us back to soccer. I guess that’s the only safe topic in this house.
“It might give us some more insights on their defense and how they’re going to cover you. They shut down Rex pretty well,” he adds.
Thomas Rex is Springfield’s best player. Possibly the best in the state. I haven’t played against him since freshman year, but there is a good chance we’ll face off at the State Championships.
I stop at the sink to rinse off my plate. “I have plans tonight.”
He cuts me with a hard look that tells me he disapproves. He probably thinks we’re going out to party.
“It’s not a big deal. Some of us are going to the movies,” I assure him.
“Semifinals are in two days.”
“I know.” Guilt tries to seep in, but I fight it. I have worked my ass off all season.
“Listen to me. I have been in your shoes. This is not the time to lose focus.”
I want to roll my eyes but know it won’t get me out of this conversation any faster.
He stands and comes to the other side of the counter.
“You don’t get an unlimited number of chances. Some players never make it this far.” He shakes his head. “You take it for granted because we’ve had a few good years, but things can change in an instant. You don’t want to look back and wonder if you could have done more.”
I know what he’s saying is true, but we’re a great team. Maybe the best one I’ve ever been a part of. Including the past two years when we won the State title. And we’ve worked hard. Sitting at home tonight isn’t going to make me any more prepared. I’m ready. I’ve put in the work.
“I’ll be home early,” I promise him.