I'm Just Not That Into You

Chapter 12

"Mitch, you're ready for this," I say, running my hand down his arm. He's slumped against the window, jersey on and gear bag at his feet, with skin so pale it could be ice. "You're one of the best on the team and you're only a sophomore! You've got the foot skills and the grit, you're going to do great!"

He just shakes his head, looking greener and greener with every passing mile on the way to the high school.

Macy leans in from the backseat. "Mitch, you're an incredible soccer player. And that's coming from someone who literally knows nothing about soccer except for the fact that everyone who sees you play says that you're incredible."

He breathes out heavily, a small smile gracing his face. He glances at me before turning back to gazing out the window, just like the drama queen he is. "I just don't want to screw this up."

I sigh, turning in to the west parking lot. "I know," I say softly, spotting Kyler getting out of his SUV, parked near the back of the parking lot. I pull up beside it, but before I cut the engine, I turn to my brother. "Get it together big guy, because you have got this, you hear me? You've got this! Mom and I couldn't be more proud and..." I swallow, stealing myself for my next words. "And dad is going to miss out on the greatest game on your life. So make it count."

Mitch's expression softens, understanding what it took for me to say that. He nods, giving me a grin and slides out of Lieutenant and waving before running off after his other teammates walking towards the stadium, his bag slung over his shoulder.

"He'll be fine," Macy whispers, giving my shoulder a pat. "And I'm proud of you for saying what you did, that was really big of you."

I give her a small smile and turn the car off. "Thanks, Mace. Really."

We both start, however, when a knock sounds off from my back window.

"Hey!" Kyler shouts, peering through the glass. "Want me to grab your bag from the trunk?"

I nod my head and hop out of the car, slamming the door too hard and grimacing, knowing that it's going to be stuck after sitting in the cold all through the game. "Yeah, thanks."

He smiles and pops my trunk open, grabbing my bag filled with the empty water bottles and stat sheets. But, as soon as Macy hops out of the car, his eyes get wide and he drops my bag completely, water bottles rolling all over the place and papers flying.

"Shit!" he shouts, dropping immediately down to grab the bottles and papers near him.

I drop down next to him, trying to hide my grin as I watch his ears turn the brightest shade of crimson as he watches Macy run down the slope of the parking lot towards the runaway bottles.

"I'm sorry, Layla I just-" He pauses when he sees my grin and glares, turning back to grabbing bottles around my car. "Don't say it."

I laugh, grabbing the bag off of the ground. "I won't say a word."

He gives me a look, but it quickly fades as Macy comes walking back, arms filled to the brim. "Got them all! A few rolled a bit far, but I think I found everything." She grins at me before shyly turning to Kyler. "Hey," she says softly, handing him the bottles and papers with shaking arms.

He gives her a smile as well and I just sit there, shaking my head. I take the now full again bag from Kyler and swing it across my shoulder. "Alright, if ya'll are ready and promise not to drop anymore of my stuff, then lets get going."

Kyler rolls his eyes and shoulders his own bag. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, come on. Almost everyone is in the locker room." I raise my eyebrows at him but he shakes his head, grinning. "No, no one's naked, everyone's suited up except for me. I stayed out to make sure everyone's cars got parked in the back."