64. Salem
SALEM
“ C oach, put him back in,” I beg.
Coach Derek groans. “Not this again.”
“Why’s he benched?”
“For Christ’s sake, he’s been out two minutes for rest,” he snaps.
“Oh.” My head darts to the side. “Grandpa’s tired?”
Blue fires a middle finger at me while popping his gum.
“I get it. Not everyone can handle the heat of the playoffs.”
“Fuck you going on about?” He glares, nostrils flaring.
“Nope.” Coach Derek reaches his arm out to move me along. “Don’t poke the bear.”
“He the bear?” I grin. “That pretty thing?”
“Fuck you call me?” Blue asks, lip curling.
“Alright.” I shoot him a smirk. “I guess I eat bears.”
He nods slowly, staring straight ahead, his gum chewing picking up pace.
“There’s no fun beating y’all if he isn’t in, Coach.”
“Y’all down thirteen points,” Blue grits, knee springing up and down.
“How much you wanna bet if you put him in, we’ll go on a fifteen to nothing run?” I ask.
Blue snorts.
“Cool, stay there, sweetcakes. Play or not, you’ll still lose,” I taunt.
“For fuck’s sake.” He jumps to his feet. “Let me shut this fucker up real fast.”
“Nah, stay there.” I wave him off. “But bundle up. It’s about to get brr, bitch.”
Coach sighs and shakes his head. “I warned you.” He waves toward the court. “Cade, warm up.”
I grin, racing backward.
“Fuck you grinning for,” Blue sneers, tearing away the snaps on his pants. “You ’bout to lose.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I blow him a kiss. “Love you too, little bear.”