Chasing Her

Chapter 11: Back in the Game

Taylor's POV

The school day finally ends and it's time for practice. I have never gotten to the field faster in my life. I don't even put my gear on yet and just get to the familiar white lines on the grass. 

I see Coach there already, a bag of footballs in one hand and a clipboard in the other. I hesitantly approach Coach Hanks, mentally preparing myself for the conversation. As I approach him, he looks up and sees me coming in his direction. He sets down the footballs as I get closer and crosses his arms.

"Hello there Miss Nash, glad you could join us today." 

"I'm happy to be here Coach Hanks, believe me. I wanted to apologize for how I acted at school the other day. It was not right and I promise it won't happen again." Coach Hanks nods his head.

"I'm glad someone put some sense into you, but you don't need to promise it won't happen again. In fact, I want to see it happen again, but not in school, on the field. I need someone who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty for the ball." I smile up at him.

"Well then I won't let you down, whatever you need to be done on the field I'm your guy, I'll get it done."    

"Good, now let's get practice started." Coach blows the whistle and yells for everyone to do warmup laps. "Welcome to the team Nash, it's gonna be one hell of a season." I smile back at him and give a thumbs-up as I get my warmups started.    

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Practice goes by quickly, I feel drenched from head to toe in sweat, the sun beating down as we run drills and plays. Coach blows the whistle for us to huddle up at the end of practice.

"Listen up, great practice today, I can see a lot of you worked hard. Most of you know what position you are going to be playing this season, but I am planning on changing things up this year." My heart immediately drops. I have only ever played as a wide receiver or tight end. I don't play defense, I'm not quarterback material, that was always Max.  I patiently wait for coach to continue.

"We will pick this up tomorrow. Good work everyone." I drop my head, not being patient enough to wait until tomorrow. The team breaks the huddle and heads to the locker rooms.  As we are all walking off the field I see a familiar face.

"Hey man, what do you think that was all about?" Brody says as he catches up to me.

"I don't know but I'm hoping I'm not part of it." I respond, at which Brody laughs.

"I'm thinking you would do great on our defense or a kicker even." I shoot him a glare and he just laughs more. 

"If you aren't QB and I'm not a wide receiver or tight end, we are going to have major problems dude."     

"I think you'll be okay wherever you go, but I'll see you tomorrow broski." He says as he runs off.

"Nobody says that anymore!" He only responds by flipping me off and I shake my head at him. While making fun of his antics I spot a gleam off to the side. I turn my head and see the camera by the bleachers. 

I immediately smile and head in that direction, not being able to wait to talk to Allie again. Those blue eyes shine as she smiles back and starts working towards me.

"I'm assuming you took a lot of embarrassing pictures of me on that thing?" I say with a laugh pointing at the camera. She shakes her head and smiles.

"I took plenty of pictures but none are embarrassing." 

"If you say so, miss Allie. So did you enjoy watching us play? Coach threw us a curveball at the end of practice there not gonna lie."

"I did enjoy watching, although I didn't understand what was happening for the most part. What did Erin's dad say?" I gave a small laugh at her not understanding what we were doing. It was very spot-on for a girl like her, to keep to herself and not bother with what other people were doing unless she was directly involved.