Songs for Cricket by Laine, E. (best books to read in your 20s TXT) 📗

nailed the kick straight down the middle. The guys on the sideline lost it with surprised faces.

Bryant wasn’t ready to admit defeat, and it became a contest of sorts. They kicked from the left hash mark first because typically kicks weren’t made from the center position. Again, Finley showed him up. Hers went straight down the middle, where his was off. On the right side, she nailed it again. His ball hit the upright.

Finally, the coach came over.

“If you want to be on this team, you have to do drills and practice like the rest of the guys.”

She nodded. “I want this.”

He grumbled something, then we all walked back to the sideline. None of us were in pads, so I wasn’t surprised when we were told to do laps since so much time had been wasted.

I lost sight of Finley when we were broken up into groups to run stairs or do short drills. Others were taken in to get locker assignments and equipment.

By the time I made it inside the complex, I was starstuck. It felt like I’d made it to the pros. Inside was decked out with the team colors in banner-sized letters. If not for that, it resembled a mall with escalators leading up and down.

That was just the beginning. The locker room had a center section with a circle of seats for the coach to hold court. I was still in a fog when I got my locker assignment.

The haze cleared when I heard some of the guys talking about Finley.

“Dude, she’s hot. It’s sexy as fuck she can kick a ball.”

Billy answered the guy. “I guess I have to keep my balls protected when I ask her out.” That got a laugh. “Can you imagine getting between those long legs of hers?”

“Right,” the other guys said.

I’d glanced up in time to catch Billy smirk at me while the guys slapped his back as if Finley agreeing was a sure thing.

They dispersed before August arrived. “I switched, so I’m next to you. Cooper’s over there.”

I was glad he hadn’t heard Billy. As much as I’d wanted to punch the guy, we didn’t need a fight until we’d proven ourselves on the field. Otherwise we would be labeled as troublemakers and possibly kicked off the team. I needed football to remain in school. My scholarship depended on my participation.

“Are you okay with Finley playing?” I asked.

August didn’t look thrilled, but his shoulders rose and fell. “She’s always wanted to. There’s no stopping her when she wants something.”

Except your dad, I thought to myself.

“Besides, she’s better than what we’ve got,” he added, then switched subjects. That was code for he’d talk about it later when there weren’t so many ears around. “This place is sick.”

“It is. They said it’s supposed to be a home away from home. I think they just want us to play here instead of partying at the Omega house.”

I hung up my equipment in the open locker.

“For sure. Do you want to go to the café and get breakfast?” I nodded. “Cool. I’m going to grab a shower.”

I got dressed, having already taken one. Today was a light day. Tomorrow would bring full on pads. I wasn’t exactly sure how I would handle Finley’s presence every day. She was already on my mind constantly. Seeing her, and possibly with Billy, made my gut clench.

More muttered conversation about her had me heading outside afraid of what I might do. I couldn’t blame the guys being curious about her. She was gorgeous and could kick the hell out of a ball. I just couldn’t be around them while they gossiped like chicks.

Out front, I leaned back on the wall watching a parade of girls carrying boxes. They wore school colors, the logo branded on tiny shorts and fitted shirts.

After they headed inside one by one, I rested my head on the wall and closed my eyes.

“Hey, Shepard.”

I found the short brunette from last night standing directly in front of me. She was cute, I’d give her that. But she wasn’t Finley.

“Hey,” I answered when things got awkward.

“Can I tell you something?”

I shrugged. She curled a finger. “It’s a secret.”

Her shirt was low cut, and her tits were fantastic. Still, she wasn’t who I wanted. But I bent down anyway. There was no harm in hearing her out, or so I thought.

7

finley

I left Coach’s office with a smile. The team had lost their punter and only had their kicker, Devon Bryant, to handle both positions. After we’d been broken up in groups, Bryant and I had been tested. I beat him every time in kicking drills but sucked as a punter. Coach decided for now, I was on the team.

My head had soared so far in the clouds, I nearly stumbled over my feet when I walked outside.

I’d texted August, and he said that they were going to the café for dinner. I was far too excited and nervous to eat. I’d planned to enjoy the walk home.

But why did I have to see Shepard lip-locked with a cheerleader? I left so fast, I nearly jogged home to get away. The only reason I didn’t is because of the fear he’d see me running and guess at my silly misguided feelings for him.

I put my earbuds in and set the shuffle on my happy playlist to get back in the right frame of mind. It wasn’t like I didn’t know Shepard would be a catch for any girl who wasn’t me.

When I got home, I climbed the stairs in a somewhat better mood. The room was bare, and I couldn’t wait for my things to arrive. Too bad we hadn’t packed earlier like Mom suggested.

After a shower, I sat and looked at my phone. I hovered over the send button a second before I mustered the courage to just do it.

The phone rang a few times.

“Beatrice, I don’t have a lot of time. I have a meeting in a few minutes.”

Dad refused to call me