Of Hotshots and High School

Chapter 25

Chase's POV

"You chose your kids over me?" Adelaide looked remarkably hurt.

"I have responsibilities, Addy. I can't just leave them. And I didn't choose them over you, I chose both."

"Well it sure doesn't sound like it." And with that she grabbed her purse and slid out of the truck.

I sat there for a minute, arms on the steering wheel and head in my hands. Homecoming and state were next weekend, and I'd just told Adelaide my plans. I'd miss her performance at the game, but I'd be back to take her to the dance. Needless to say, she hadn't been thrilled. I was really trying here, and it was frustrating to me that she couldn't see that. If it were just up to me I'd skip homecoming all together. What was so special about shelling out a bunch of money, wearing some remarkably uncomfortable clothes, and dancing under plastic lights to a bad DJ for a few hours? My kids needed me and I was already being super lame by leaving them, even if I knew Rory would do a great job. They were still my team, but Adelaide was also still my girlfriend. She'd get over this in a few days and we'd move on, back to the same old lukewarm state our relationship had been in for months.

But the bell was ringing to signal the end of lunch, and I had to be on the field for varsity soccer practice in five minutes. I ran my hands through my hair. Nothing some good old striking practice couldn't work out. I laughed as I hopped down from the driver's seat. Coach would probably be thrilled with all the extra energy I'd be shooting with today.

My soccer bag was nested in the bed of the truck next to my practice cones and I smiled. I loved playing soccer, but recently I'd been feeling like I loved coaching even more.

. . .

"That's my girl!" Rory smothered Bree in a congratulatory hug before spinning her in a circle.

"That save was pretty awesome," I admitted.
It was practice tonight with the Flyers and Rory and I had promised them a quick scrimmage for the last 15 minutes. She'd built her team and I'd built mine, and Bree had just blocked Erik's penalty kick, leaving the score Team Rory: 1, Team Chase: 0. To be fair, Rory's team had our actual team goalie and most of our defenders, but I'd been hoping my striker/forward-heavy team would be able to snag at least one goal. But Rory had been working hard with our defense for the last week and a half and they hadn't given any headway. They'd played well and won fair and square. I cleared my throat and 14 sets of eyes turned my way.

"Alright, alright. Great shot Erik—if Bree weren't such an awesome goalie or didn't already know your tricks, I'm sure that would've gone in. But, Rory's defense killed it tonight and it brought them the win. But Team Rory, just know that Team Chase won't let you win so easy next time! We're gonna be awesome at state. Great job everyone!"

Immediately, Rory's team thronged her and together they did a sort of victory dance, everyone clamoring to be close to her. The kids were all shouting at once.
"We won!"
"We did it!"
"We're the winners!"
"Team Rory is awesome!"
And eventually my team joined in, too. It was fun to watch them flock around her and dance their crazy dances, interrupted with shouts of "go flyers!" And "we're awesome!" Little Lucy was in the front and when she started flossing, her little blonde pigtails shaking back and forth, the laughter that burst out of me was pure joy. I loved this. And them.

. . .

But oh boy I did not love their stinky jerseys.

The kids were gone and Rory and I were carrying the last of the gear to my truck. I dropped the pennies into the bed and wrinkled my nose at the waft of old fast food mixed with sweaty socks that was trying to invade my brain.

"I have no idea how kids so small can stink so much." Rory said with a laugh. I nodded my head in agreement.

"Some mysteries will never be understood," I teased as I climbed into the seat. "Like mustard. Or pickles." Like my mom's affair. Or my dad's eternal absences. Or my relationship with Adelaide. Although if all the relationships in my life were so filled with problems, maybe the root of all those problems was me.

"Hey. You okay?" I must've been playing my emotions out on my face. I hurried to push them away and smoothed on what I hoped was a charming smile.

"Sure thing, Coach," I winked at Rory as she shut her door. "Just thinking about the holy terror that awaits me in trying to get the stink out of those jerseys."

"Ha ha very funny," Rory rolled her eyes, entirely unconvinced.

"I'm fine Rory, really." And I was. Nothing about my situation was new and I'd been coping just fine for years. "Though I wouldn't mind some extra hands to help me tackle the stink-fest."

I had not been planning on inviting her over. I didn't need help washing the pennies. After all these practices I had it down to a science. And I never invited people home. Even Adelaide hardly ever came over to my place, and I think Kyle had been in my house twice in the last three years, and I still hadn't told Rory that we were practically neighbors. There were so many reasons why having her in my house was a very bad idea.

But apparently my brain and my mouth weren't listening to each other at the moment. And the smile that was pushing through on Rory's face was enough to stop the hasty backpedaling that my brain was trying to force my mouth to do.

"Oh it's on. Team Rory is gonna crush those nasty pennies." Her competitive fire killed me, but the grin taking over my face felt so good.

"Pretty sure Team Chase's washing machine is going to be the one doing the crushing, but you're welcome to do them by hand if you'd rather."

"Ahh but the only way Team Chase's washing machine gets to play is if we actually get to his house." Rory stated meaningfully, gesturing toward the steering wheel.

I looked around to see what she was getting at before I noticed the keys sitting in the ignition. How long had we been sitting here bantering? It couldn't have been that long, but I'd been so absorbed by our conversation that I'd forgotten I was supposed to drive. I chuckled to myself and turned the key over. The engine thrummed to life.

"You know, I'm pretty sure that if Team Chase's car provides the transportation and the driver, that even if Team Rory wins, Team Chase gets some credit, too." Rory laughed at the nonsense that was our conversation, and I smiled.

"Alright, I'll give it to ya," she conceded, "but only a little!"

I pulled the truck out of the parking lot and onto the street. I liked that we could have fun talking about nonsense. It was a welcome relief from the serious and stale conversations with my parents and the recent stress with Adelaide.

With the windows down, Rory DJing, and utter silliness running through my thoughts, my brain was starting to feel at peace.

That peace, however, was gone all too soon.

Our driveway was empty. It was always empty. But today there was a black charger sitting where I always parked my truck. My mind started racing. Today was not the day to have Rory over. Why today? And why hadn't he called. It'd been seven weeks this time.

Dad was home.