Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
“It wouldn’t kill you to smile,” my father said.
“If you wanted someone who would smile, you shouldn’t have asked me to come,” I said through gritted teeth.
Beside me, Lachlan coughed into his napkin.
“They want to give you something,” Dad said. “You should be grateful you were invited after quitting.”
God, I wanted to tell him to go fuck himself so badly. I wanted to grab the fork in front of me and stab him repeatedly. Instead, I remained silent since I didn’t want to call attention to myself. The guys to my right started talking about their next game. They’d killed it last night. Marissa asked me to go with her, but I’d turned her down. I was considering going to the next one, though. I figured there was no harm in hanging out in an open space that held so many witnesses.
“Lyles, you’re coming to our game, right?” Prescott said, smiling at me from the other side of the table.
“Maybe.” I took a sip of water. “I’ll have to check my calendar.”
Pres rolled his eyes. “Just go.”
“You should,” Dad said. “Gina says you barely leave the house.”
I said nothing. I didn’t understand why Marissa’s mom even spoke to my dad after he allegedly cheated on Mom and moved on with his mistress right after she passed. Maybe she had to speak to him since Marissa’s dad, and mine played golf together. I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair — something my father loathed — but it took me out of Coach Jameson's line of vision, and therefore, that would be one less conversation to have.
The guys loved Jameson, though. It seemed Lachlan was Jameson’s favorite, which made me inwardly roll my eyes. Jameson had coached Lachlan for two years and led the team when they won their first championship. Lachlan was talking about the teams he’d kill to play for — his first choice was in Toronto, his second in Boston. Those were two places I hadn’t even considered moving to. Not that it mattered. When he left, would he ask me to follow him/come with him? I wouldn't have gone if he did. I almost laughed at myself. I wasn't sure if we were even friends, yet somehow, the boundaries were still blurred because of these stupid emotions that only he could pull from me.
Coach Bev tapped the microphone twice to call our attention before she started addressing the room. I missed her so damn much. She’d been the reason I chose to play soccer here, to begin with. With so many choices at my fingertips, I chose Coach Bev, and look at where that got me. She gave her usual inspiring speech, everyone clapped, and she waited for it to quiet down.
“I’ve spent the last thirty years coaching a lot of talented young ladies.” She looked around the room. “But every once in a while, one stands out from the rest. I’m not saying our current team is anything short of amazing, but this young lady is a superstar.”
Across the room, the soccer table cheered and hooted. I looked over there, and my heart sank. I should have been sitting over there right now. I’d roomed with some of them my first year here and missed them so fucking much. I still texted some of them, but it wasn’t the same. I wasn’t part of the team anymore, so we no longer shared the same inside jokes or saw each other daily. I missed having a family like that. I fucking hated him for doing this to me. Loathed him.
“Now,” Coach Bev continued. “She was only able to play with us for two full years. She took us to the championship both years and helped us win,” she said, her voice excited. I stopped breathing. What was happening? The soccer girls banged against the table, making utensils clatter against plates. Coach Bev side-eyed them. “Quiet down, girls.” She looked right at me, her voice wavering with emotion. My heart dropped again. No no no no no. This could not be happening. “She’s gifted. She has a smile that can light up a room, a heart of gold. She’s a true leader. I wish she still played for us, but I understand the difficult circumstances.” She took a breath. “Not a game has gone by where we haven’t mentioned her name, so we knew honoring her with this plaque was necessary. It’ll go on the wall of our tunnel, so each time the girls run by it, she can inspire them.” She sniffled. Oh fuck. I swallowed. I felt like crying but somehow held my emotion in my throat. “Miss Lyla James Marichal, please come up here.”
I scooted my chair back and kept my eyes on the stage as I walked toward it. If I made eye contact with Prescott or Lachlan, I’d lose it. My former teammates stood up and ambushed me with hugs and kisses, making it even harder to keep my tears at bay. I kissed and hugged them back and continued until I reached Coach Bev. She hugged me tightly.