pinky promise - jamie tartt

‟ NEXT TIME „

˗ˏˋ 'ˎ˗

Tatum Greene didn't realize just how unlucky AFC Richmond could get.

That was, until, she was forced to watch AFC Richmond tie their eighth consecutive game—and Dani Rojas accidentally kill the team's mascot Earl Greyhound.

The moment the game ended and the chaos died down, Tate left the press box and raced through the clubhouse towards the locker rooms. She knew Ted was giving a press conference, but she would deal with the aftermath of whatever the American coach said later.

As expected, Dani was an absolute wreck the moment she stepped into the locker room.

It was dead silent, with all the players sitting in their stalls in shock. She glanced to Beard and Nate, standing in the coaches' office, and met their worried looks with one of her own. Wincing, she turned to face the team, who all looked to her expectantly, no one daring to stare too long at a fragile Dani Rojas.

"I mean," She started, pausing, bottom lip caught between her teeth. "Accidents happen all the time."

"Yeah, but, how many times do people kill dogs with a penalty kick?"

"Jan Maas," Tate hissed, eyes narrowed at the Dutchman. He may have just been speaking the blunt truth, but it wasn't helping.

Dani muttered a prayer in Spanish before marching towards the showers, fully dressed and still wearing his cleats, a look of pain on his face.

Twenty minutes passed, and Tate didn't hear from Dani once, only the sound of the shower water running. When Ted finally entered the locker room, she let out a breath, and nodded her head in the direction of the showers to answer the silent question he no doubt had.

Beard, Nate, Colin, and Zoreaux followed them, the two players holding their towels and ready to shower. No one had dare to follow after Dani, but when they finally turned the corner of the showers, they found him standing underneath the water, fully clothed, muttering prayers in Spanish.

"He's been like this for twenty minutes." Zoreaux explained. Tate winced at the sight, her heart cracking at the obvious weight Dani was forcing himself to bear.

"He's gonna use all the hot water." Colin mumbled, earning a pinch from Tate on the arm. From over his shoulder, Beard pointed for the boys to leave, and she rolled her eyes at how quickly they ran off. Ted took a hesitant step forward, and Tate took his place, hand on his arm in a wordless message to be delicate with what he said.

"Hey Dani," Ted began. "What ya doin'?"

"Washing the death off of me."

Tate had never heard his voice so monotone. Ted turned back to face them and winced.

"Well, I—I recommend you use a little soap." The head coach tried, which caused Tate to roll her eyes at what clearly wasn't helping. "Helps get the eternal rest out of those tough-to-reach places, you know."

"Gracias, Coach."

"Well, hey, don't forget, football is life, right?"

Dani finally turned to look at Ted, wiping his wet hair off of his face. Tate bit her lip at the solemn look on his face, wishing she knew how to help.

"I know. It used to be."

Ted turned, retreating back to where they stood while mouthing I got nothing. Dani turned back to his praying, while the three coaches slipped from the locker room. Tate remained a moment longer, feeling helpless in the situation.

"Dani, take your time with this." She assured him, voice just loud enough to carrying over the running water and his praying. "But remember that I love you, so very much, and what happened was a freak accident that no one could have predicted."