𝑯𝒆𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒉 | ᴹᴰᴳᶜ

TRACK ELEVEN: Let's Get Rocked

Even after Alex's meltdown, I still woke up this morning excited and ready for states. I packed my bag the night before and now was dragging it down the stairs. I left it by the front door as I went into the kitchen where Dad was.

"Morning, Del." He said. "Congrats on making it to states."

"Hey," I replied. "Thanks, dad." "You know, I could use one of my vacation days to come see you." He suggested. "No, no, it's fine. You gotta work." "Oh, come on, Del. You were getting on me about not seeing any of your other games." "We'll probably lose after the first game anyway." I responded as I leaned back against the wall.

"Don't say that, Del." Dad said. "Now, come sit– eat." He pulled out his chair and sat down. "I can't. If I do, I'll be running late." "You'll make it in time. I'm driving you." "I'll just catch a ride with Logan, Evan, or Nick." I stood up straight and left. "Bye, dad." He let out a sigh before responding. "Bye, Delilah."

🏒

I caught a ride with Logan, and we were all waiting outside the bus for Bombay. Alex wasn't coming because I assumed she was nervous to face us after everything.

"Hey," Bombay said as he came out of the Ice Palace. "Okay, everyone here?" We all nod and said yes. "Alright, great! Now, girls in the back, boys in the front."

"Why?" Lauren asked. "I've been on the road plenty of times. I know how it goes." He clapped his hands together. "Let's go." We got on the bus, but I didn't listen to Bombay's orders. I climbed over Logan and sat next to him by the window. "Hey, rookie." I said.

"Hey, you heard Bombay. Boy's up front, girls in the back, and no disrespect, Delilah, but you're not a boy." Nick said, leaning towards the aisle. "Glad you noticed." I responded.

"I'm fine with it." Logan said, grinning from ear to ear, his face having that hypnotized look again. "Okay, team," Bombay said as he climbed onto the bus. Listen u– did you now hear me earlier, Delilah?" He asked me. "Oh, no, I did. I just don't care." I answered. "Okay, little Portman." "Excuse me?" "Nothing." He brushed it off.

"Uh, anyway, I'm sure you've all heard, I'll be in charge on this trip." "So, we get to run around and push all the elevator buttons and wear shower caps?" Nick asked. "It's my first time at a hotel without my moms. I'm gonna live it up!"

"Just be safe," Bombay told us. "I'm not interested in how many of you can fit into an ice machine. Oh, and there's a party tonight at seven sharp. And tomorrow's our first game. And one more thing," He paused. "We're going to States!" We all cheered.

🏒

When we arrived, we dropped our stuff off at the entrance and went adventuring before we got rooms. Evan, Koob, and Nick. Logan and Sam. Lauren and Sofi. Then Maya and I.

The idea of sharing a room with her made me nervous. What were we gonna talk about? We like different things. What if I say something stupid and she doesn't like me anymore? What if I do something stupid? I was broken out of my "What If" situations when Nick's friend, MJ, spoke.

"Whoa! Check out the new power couple." She said to Evan. We turned around and saw Sofi with Trevor. I rolled my eyes and then glanced over at Evan and MJ, who were attempting to dance. Attempting being a strong word.

"I don't know which is more brutal, watching my best friend dance with my crush or watching what he thinks is dancing." Nick said, walking over to Logan and I.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I mean, if she's the one for you, you'll get her in the end." Logan told him. "Easy for you to say. What girl wouldn't resist that gorgeous, blonde head of lettuce?" Nick replied.

🏒

The next morning, I woke up before Maya. I was relieved that I didn't have to hold a conversation with her that would most likely turn awkward. I got dressed in the bathroom, then headed downstairs to get breakfast.

"Okay, team's all here." Bombay said as he walked in. "Just a friendly reminder, the first game's at two, and if Nick can stop looking so happy, which is kind of weirding me out, I think we got a chance of beating these guys."

"Gordon Bombay?" A man in a suit walked in. "Yeah, that's me." He answered. "I'm with the Youth Hockey Association. We have a problem." I looked at Logan, and we shared a confused look.

🏒

We were all in a fake courtroom setting. Coach T told on Bombay about something he did in his past. Logan sat in a chair, and I stood next to him. His arm was around my waist, and my arm was around his shoulder. I hadn't really noticed my position at first, but when I did, I was too nervous to move.

They talked about weird stuff I didn't quite understand, so I blocked most of it out. When I stopped zoning out, Alex walked in with Stephanie behind her. I was slightly confused as I thought she didn't talk to any of the Duck parents anymore.

"Stop, stop, wait. Stop." She said. "Did you rule yet, judge, sir?"

"I'm sorry. Who are you?" The man questioned. "Oh... uh, I'm Mr. Bombay's lawyer?" She answered awkwardly. "Where have you been, counselor?" Bombay asked, playing along. "I'm so sorry.. sir. Anyway, so. By your own definition, in order to keep your NCAA certification, this tournament needs their prospective student-athletes to be coached by an NCAA-approved coach." "Which Mr. Bombay is not?" The man added, confused.

"Correct. However, the definition of prospective student-athlete is a student who has been scouted by one of your member institutions." "Yeah, this is the Minnesota State Championships. All of the teams have been visited by a scout." "Expect for us. Nobody took the Don't Bothers seriously enough to check us out. They didn't bother." She said.

"So, by your own definition, our players don't meet the criteria, thereby rendering Mr. Bombay's collegiate ban immaterial." "Well, that being the case, then you are correct. Mr. Bombay can continue coaching." We all started cheering, then did a group hug. "Hey, guys, sorry for the craziness. Today, I'm not here to coach, I'm just here as Evan's mom."

"No, we want you to coach." Evan responded as we all agreed before having another group hug.