Of Hotshots and High School

Chapter 21

Chase's POV

"YES!" I whooped, scooping Rory up and spinning her through the air before my mind caught up with my body. "Oh. Whoops." I could feel my face heating as I sat her back down on the edge of the workbench, but I still pumped my fists in the air, thrilled and relieved that I might be able to make something not entirely horrible work out. Sure, it still sucked that I wouldn't be able to be there for my kids for the whole tournament, but I was sure I could get Adelaide to agree to letting me skip her performance if I'd be there for the dance. I could still get my team through the first round and let Rory handle the rest.

I smiled. They'd love Rory. I could just picture her with little Lucy, running her around and encouraging her, showing her that girls could totally kick butt at soccer. This was going to be a very good partnership.

My thoughts were interrupted by the bell and I went to the back of the shop to spray off my sawdust. Hurrying to Adelaide to get her approval on everything was the only thing on my mind as I made my way through the shop to the classroom, so I entirely missed the leg that was blocking my way until I doubled over in pain. Wow there was something to the phrase "getting hit where it hurts." Yeowza.

"OhmygoodnessI'msosorry!" I could tell that Rory felt bad, but she was trying to reign in her laughter. Her leg was still sticking out straight as she sat on the workbench where I'd deposited her earlier. I looked up at her face, giving her what I hoped looked like a withering glare, but probably looked more like a constipated frown.

"Put that leg down, girl! You could've killed all the future Chases!" Rory blushed, and then the ridiculousness of what I'd just said sunk in. The future Chases? Man I was a dork. I let out a chuckle, just as Rory let one slip. We looked at each other, frozen for a half second before breaking out into real honest laughter. Rory threw her head back when she laughed, and her whole frame shook. It was fun to watch, and even though it made my abs hurt, I could feel my chest getting lighter and a little more warm with each laugh.

"You're ridiculous," Rory smiled as her laughs slowed.

"I'm ridiculous? You're the one throwing limbs around like they're murder weapons!" but there was a happy gleam in my eye, and I'm sure she could see it.

"I was just trying to understand what my new role as 'assistant to the assistant soccer coach' entailed! I didn't think that you'd mindlessly damage yourself on me!"

To be honest, I had been so caught up in the fact that maybe my life wasn't completely over after all to realize that I actually needed to talk to Rory and explain things to her. "Oh. Yeah you're right. We should probably talk about that." I smiled sheepishly. "Okay, so first thing: practices are on Tues--" The two minute warning bell cut me off, and I realized I needed to beeline it to make it halfway across the campus on time. "Shoot."

I pulled Rory off the table at the same time as I whipped my phone from my back pocket. I shoved it into her hands. "Just give me your number. I'll text you everything you need to know."

She hesitated for a second before making herself a new contact.

"There you go," she said, and the second the phone was in my hands I took of running.

"Thanks!" I called out behind me. "See you tonight!"

A/N - Sorry for the short chapter, but smaller sections are infinitely easier to get done and publish. Plus I want to get back to Rory's POV :) Thanks y'all!