Chapter 53
Chapter Fifty-Three
Rome
I take a quick shower and change into a clean jersey and sweatpants. I want to speak with Coach before he gives the team his game recap speech. A few guys pat my back as I run past them. When I reach Bradson’s office, I almost bump into him as he steps out.
“Carter? What’s the rush?” he asks while he grabs his chest.
“It’s time we have a talk.”
With a stiff nod, he gestures for me to step into his office. I sit in the chair across from his desk, and he closes the door. I wait for him to get settled before I start what is going to be an uncomfortable conversation.
“I’ll keep it quick. I know the guys are waiting to be dismissed.” I start from the beginning. How Malik had a strange interest in Chrissy, how he treated Raina and the mentor program. None of that matters in the long run, but they are necessary details. “As you know, I’ve been picking up his slack. I was going to stop, but he threatened to not throw me the ball during the games, which you saw tonight. I gave in to his demands. I kept up with the plays and training the newbies. But when he threw my girlfriend’s name in the mix, he went too far. After she denied his advances numerous times, he tried to kiss her, and while I know this has nothing to do with football, I want you to understand why Malik and I aren’t seeing eye to eye. He was willing to throw the game just because of our tension. I don’t care what he does to me, but he’s screwing this team over. I won’t stand for it.”
Coach observes me, the wrinkles on the corners of his eyes crinkling as he thinks. He purses his lips, and his shoulders drop as he places his hands on his desk.
“I didn’t know about your girlfriend. I apologize on his behalf for his actions. I told Chen that if he wanted to keep his captain title, he must take back the tasks he passed on to you. I assume that has not happened?”
I shake my head.
“With how the game went today, I worry he will act selfishly just to piss you off. I’ll talk to him again and give him one final chance. If he fucks up again, I’m benching him. We’ll see how he handles having a freshman replace him. Maybe then he’ll learn how to act as a team player.”
“Thank you, Coach.”
“Does this mean you’re ready for the vote to be held? If things go as I suspect they will, you’ll be captain within the next ten minutes.”
My chest tightens, and my lungs hold onto all the oxygen inside them. I’ve been acting as unofficial captain for two years now. Would anything change if I become the official captain of this team? I can’t say for certain. What I can say is that this team needs a leader, and for some reason, their eyes are landing on me.
“Yes, I’m ready.” When I say the words, my shoulders relax and I begin to breathe normally again.
Here goes nothing.
“Gather up!” Coach demands as he walks into the locker room.
The team is excited and more than ready to get out of here to celebrate our first win of the season.
My sights land on Blake and Levi as I move through the players to stand beside them.
“You okay, buddy?” Blake asks as he pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
“You’ll know in a moment,” I manage to say before Coach starts to talk again.
“I know you’re all itching to get out of here, so I’ll make this fast. I was expecting more from my senior players this game. When I mentioned not expecting perfection, I was talking to the rookies. You let me down, and now I have to take action. It has come to my attention that our current captain isn’t maintaining his duties; more than a couple of you have reported this. After speaking with the other coaches and the other candidate, it’s time to cast a vote.”
Murmurs fill the room, and a few eyes land on me.
Levi nudges my arm, so I turn to look at him. “You deserve this.”
“Malik and Rome, step forward.”
Blake squeezes my shoulder before I walk toward Coach. The guys part as I walk through them, and more than a couple whispers of good luck welcome me. I face Coach and Malik. Malik’s face is red, and his jaw is clenched. Worry doesn’t overcome me like I was prepared for. Instead, fierce determination courses through my veins. I’m doing the right thing. I need to remember that.
“If you wish to keep Malik as your captain, raise your hand now.”
A couple loyal seniors raise their hands, but it’s only ten of them.
Malik clicks his tongue and scoffs.
“If you want Rome Carter as captain, raise your hand now.”
I had a feeling it would turn out this way, but I wasn’t ready for the overwhelming support. When the rest of the team raises their hands, my heart flutters in my chest and chills spread over my arms.
“Congratulations, Rome Carter, you are the new captain of the Castle Brook Dragons football team,” Coach announces before clapping his hands.
Malik curses under his breath and storms away, not caring that he looks like a sore loser.
I let out a shaky breath and smile as the guys applaud and call out for me. I’m not perfect. I’m a mess and have more trauma than I first realized. Humans are messy, though, and there’s nothing wrong with being a mess. I’ll give this my all, and I won’t let this team down. They deserve the best, and that’s what they’ll get.
Twenty minutes pass before I get back to my locker. When I see the message from Chrissy, I have to stop myself from running out of the room, down the hall, and outside the stadium. Keeping my cool, I stroll outside and shove my hands in my pockets, but I stop when my phone begins to vibrate. I take it out, and a surge of excitement flutters in my chest. I find a secluded part of the hall and answer it.
“Hey, Dad,” I say as I answer the phone.
“Before we go any further, I have to say this?—”
The eagerness that brewed in my chest melts into little anxious butterflies. A shaky breath escapes me as I wait for what’s to follow.
“I’m so proud of you, son.”
My shoulders drop, and a relieved chuckle escapes my lips, leaving me smiling like a kid.
“I watched the entire game. You owned that field, Rome.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I press my palm into my eye to stop the tears from forming. “They made me captain.”
“Are you serious? Holy shit!” The pride in his voice is evident, and no matter how hard I try to stop them, the tears break free.
“You’re the first person I told,” I choke out.
“Well, I’m deeply honored. You deserve it, son. You deserve a lot more than I ever provided you.” His voice cracks. “Listen, I found a job that provides good health insurance. I’m finally getting the care I need.”
“That’s great.”
“Care that you said time and time again I needed to get. You were always there, even when you shouldn’t have been. You know me, I hate talking about my feelings, but this is important. I was wrong to fault you for what happened. It’s not your fault she left.”
It’s not your fault she left.
Tears stream down my face, and I’m left trying to control them so I’m not a blubbering mess in the middle of the hall. For so long, I’ve waited for something, anything , to provide closure on that chapter of my life, and Dad just gave it to me.
“We’ll never know why she did it, but I’m tired of dwelling in the past.”
“Me too,” I say before I sniffle.
“I want to be there for you, Rome. I want to make up for all the time we lost while I was stuck in my head. It was wrong of me to place it all on you. You were just a kid.”
“It’s okay?—”
“I’m not asking for forgiveness. This is something I have to prove to you, and I want to start by being there for you. But only if you want me to be.”
“I do. I really do.”
“Thank you. I’ll make you proud. I promise. Now, get out there and celebrate your win. I love you, son.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
I took a moment to compose myself and dry my tears before peeling myself off the wall.
Finding the crew is easy because not only are they loud, they stand out among the lingering fans because they’re my family. I could spot them from miles away if I had to.
I take a few steps forward, and Chrissy lifts her head, meeting my gaze. Not wasting a moment, she leaps off the ledge she was sitting on and runs toward me. I remove my hands from my pockets before she crashes into my chest, jumping into my arms and embracing me with all her strength.
“There’s my girl,” I mumble.
She nuzzles into my neck. I close my eyes and breathe in her delicious scent. After a few kisses against my throat that leave my stomach in butterflies, she pulls back and smiles warmly.
“What’s wrong?” she asks while trailing her fingertips under my eyes.
“I’ll tell you later. For now, want to hear some good news?” I ask as I admire her expression.
“Spill it.” She snickers and leans in closer.
I lean in also, pretending like this is a big secret. “You’re looking at the new captain of the Castle Brook football team.”
“Fucking finally!” she squeals and goes back to hugging me, almost squeezing the life out of me. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispers in my ear before kissing my cheek. “So, so proud of you.”
That’s really all I’ve ever wanted. I wanted Chrissy for so long. For months, the thought of having someone like her was merely a dream. I didn’t think I was worthy, but she helped rewire my brain and showed me the truth.
I squeeze her back, hoping she knows just how important she is to me.
“Are you going to hog him all night?” Max whines from somewhere nearby.
I open my eyes and smile when I find our little family approaching us. Gwen has her hands clasped, and she’s jumping up and down, clearly trying to contain herself. Ash and Zack just smile at me. I’m surprised to see Max. I knew the others were coming, but I thought Max had to work.
“Good to see you, Lawyer Man,” I say.
“Dude, you were amazing! Mom and Dad won’t stop blowing up my phone. They wanted me to tell you that you’re pro material. They can’t wait to meet you tomorrow,” Zack tells me.
“I appreciate that, and I look forward to meeting them.”
“Chrissy, you have to share Rome,” Max says before smirking.
“No, I don’t! He’s my boyfriend.”
I chuckle as she clings to me, balling my jersey in her hand.
“He eats my yogurt!”
“Slander!” Chrissy defends.
“You two are ridiculous,” I laugh before setting Chrissy down on her feet.
“Fine, I’ll share him... for now.” Chrissy leans into me and gently pulls on my lower lip with her mouth, hinting I need to bring her somewhere secluded ASAP.
Max is the first to pull me into a congratulatory hug, followed by an eager Gwen, Ash, and Zack. I let them know that I’m the new captain, and Gwen hugs me like I suspect a mother might.
“He’s allowed to eat all the yogurt he wants, you hear me, Max?”
“Yes, Mom,” Max sighs while playfully rolling his eyes.
Chrissy tugs on my arm, signaling it’s time to go. I’m about to find an excuse to leave, but a familiar voice interrupts me.
“There he is! Plus my two favorite girls,” Raina calls out as she nears us. “Rome, you kicked ass, per usual.”
I smile at her as Chrissy leans against my arm.
“Hey, girly, how are you managing this semester so far?” Chrissy asks.
“So far so good. You know Professor Clastis.” she laughs.
“Loves piling on the work the moment we walk through the door.” Chrissy chuckles.
“Hi, Gwen!” Raina waves at Gwen, and I catch the moment Raina’s eyes land on someone else.
Peeking over my shoulder, I spot who she’s looking at, and I don’t stop the grin from spreading across my lips.
I don’t know Raina as well as Chrissy knows her. We had a few sessions together, but she was only ever professional. But from what Chrissy tells me, Raina is like an extroverted version of Gwen, but throw in some sass and spice. When I look at her, I see the perfect mixture of Chrissy and Gwen. So I hold in my laugh when Zack catches her gaze.
Raina raises her hand and waves at the group, but mainly at Zack. “Hey, everyone, I’m Raina Bennett.”
Zack doesn’t respond, his eyes focusing as he takes her in.
A smirk forms across my lips because I’m sure I had the same look on my face when I first truly noticed Chrissy.