An Inconvenient Bet

Chapter Eighteen

The sweat was dripping off me, I had been pushing myself so hard in training tonight. There were loads of college scouts coming to the game tomorrow night and despite not knowing what to do about my future, I couldn't risk throwing any chances away.

"Hughes, run it again!" Coach shouted at me.

"Yes, coach!" I replied.

I couldn't spend time thinking about whether or not I could go to college right now. I had to focus on the game. I had to win tomorrow, otherwise I would miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime. I could feel myself getting worked up, but I had to focus. I couldn't let the stress get to me; the game still had to be fun, that's what my mum had always said.

I took a deep breath as the ball hurtled through the air in my direction. I braced myself and sprinted in its path waiting for the impact of the ball in my hands. The second I knew I had it, I was off and there was no chance in hell the defence was going to stop me.

I ran towards the touchdown like my life depended on it and left everyone far behind me. If I could just keep playing like this tomorrow, I would be in the best position for the college scouts.

"Great game, Hughes. Bring that fire with you tomorrow!" Coach said.

Dylan and Jayden slapped my back and shoulders as we made our way to the showers.

"Nice work Carter, you nervous about the scouts tomorrow?" Dylan asked.

"Nah man, all good," I said, pretending that my future wasn't hanging in someone else's hands.

As we turned the corner to head into the locker room, Britney was leaning against the wall with her arm crossed. She smiled and flicked her hair over her shoulder as she made her way towards me.

"Hey handsome," she said and leaned towards me for a kiss on the cheek.

"Erm, hey Britney," I replied, coughing with the amount of perfume she had on.

Don't get me wrong, she was a good-looking girl and back then I would have gotten with her. But Britney was too clingy and she wasn't the type of girl that you wanted to share your bed with and she definitely was no Saf. Compared to Saf, Britney wasn't even in the same league.

"A couple of us are going to Paralysis tonight, be good to see you there," she said, running a finger over my chest.

"Big game tomorrow, got to rest," I said ignoring her offer.

I took a step away from her and made my way to the locker room with Dylan and Jayden hot on my heels. She grabbed my arm, trying to gain my attention again.

"Well, why don't I come over tonight, help you rest. I'm very good with my hands, I'm sure I can be of use to you," she said, clicking her tongue.

I heard one of the boys snort behind me. Did I really used to get pulled in by this type of talk or was it just Britney that never did it for me, I wasn't sure.

"I can't," I said again.

The only thing I wanted to do was have a shower and get the smell and dirt off me. I also wasn't being completely truthful; I had already made plans tonight and they didn't involve her.

"Come on handsome, don't be boring," she said, elongating the word as she said it.

"Take the hint, Brit," Jayden said laughing and Britney crossed her arms clearly annoyed.

"I have plans ok, I'm not interested," I said, my voice firmer this time and before she could say anything else, I pushed open the locker room and left her behind.