The Romeo Club

With a sigh, I slammed my locker door shut and headed for soccer practice. Before I reached the doors, C.C. caught up with me.

“Delyla. Hey, I wanted to give you these.” He handed me a pair of tickets.

“What are these for?” I slung my bag over my shoulder.

“They’re for the play this Friday. A thank you for helping me land Liza.”

I smiled. “Thanks. I can’t wait to see it.”

“So, how are you doing since your break up with Rex? I haven’t really had a chance to talk with you lately.”

“I-I’m doing okay. Trying to stay busy.” I unzipped my bag and slid the tickets inside.

“Are you going to prom?”

“No. I decided to skip out this year.”

His eyes widened. “Wait a second. You just saved up money to get your dress. That was the whole reason you agreed to help with the Romeo Club. Not to mention, your fall from grace for hanging out with us.”

I shrugged. “It’s okay. I can always use it next year.”

“Okay, who are you and what have you done with the real Delyla Denson?” His arms folded across his chest.

“I’m a changed woman. But seriously, it’s fine. Really.”

His brow furrowed and I could tell he didn’t believe me. “Well, maybe you could return the dress and get tickets for Fantasy Con.”

I grinned. “Now that, sounds like a good idea. Tickets go on sale in the next week. I’ve been wanting to go for years. And I could get a phantom mage costume.”

“I still don’t think you should skip prom.” He brushed his red bangs off his forehead. “Maybe you could do both.”

“Why are you so worried about me going to prom?” I scuffed my cleat across the tiled floor, which would likely ensue the wrath of the janitorial staff.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I just want to make sure you don’t regret missing it. And I feel bad because you worked so hard to get all of us dates and now you don’t have one.”

“I’ll be fine. I promise. But listen, I have to get to practice or Coach Rafferty will have a cow. And, trust me, you don’t want to see that birthing process.”

He waved and I rushed out the door.

When I got to the practice fields, I dropped my bag on the sideline and rushed out to where Kenadi sat stretching her legs.

“You’re cutting it close.” She eyed Coach, who stood like a prison guard checking her watch.

“C.C. caught me in the hall. He gave me tickets for his play Friday. So, I hope you don’t have any plans.”

“I do now.” She stood and did a lunge forward and continued to stretch.

“Okay, ladies. Bring it in. We’ve got lots to work on today.”

“Geez, I hate it when she says that.” Kenadi groaned. “We beat Forest Hills, yesterday. What more could we possibly need to work on?”

“Maybe she wants to see how many laps we can do before it kills us,” I said.

“Today, we’re going to work on headers and taking shots from further out. You played well yesterday, but with district playoffs next week, we need to be prepared. You got to want this ladies. I can teach the game, but I can’t give you the heart.”

That was one of Coach’s favorite sayings. One we lived, breathed, and played by. And although she annoyed the crap out of me, I agreed with her. Even though every other aspect of my life seemed screwed up, soccer was still my one constant. My life. On the field, I forgot it all. It was just me. My opponent. The ball. And the goal.

Mom used to tease me if someone cut me open, they’d find soccer turf in my blood.

Coach had us line up to do sprints. With my ball at my feet, I threw myself full force into the game. And for today, that was all I needed.

Chapter 31

I tugged my gym uniform over my head and tossed it into my locker then reached for my jeans. Portia came over to me, her hair damp with sweat.

“I know we haven’t talked since everything happened,” she said, resting a hand on my locker door. “What you did was kind of crappy where Rex was concerned. However, I think it’s nice that you helped Trey and his friends out. I mean, Trey must’ve liked me a lot if he was willing to pay you to help him win me over.” She smiled. “He’s such a sweetheart, and since I know you two are friends, I want to call a truce. We’ll obviously be spending more time together, so I want us to get along. No hard feelings?” She held her hand out to me.

I took it and gave it a shake. “No hard feelings. And Portia, I really am sorry. I never meant for you to get hurt.” I released her fingers and tore my gaze away. “But I don’t think you’ll have to worry about things being weird because Trey and I don’t really hang out anymore. We actually haven’t talked since everything happened.”

“Oh. I-I didn’t know that. I’m sure things will be back to normal soon. He talks about you all the time. Between you and me, I think he misses you. But anyway, I better get dressed so I’m not late.” She hurried away, leaving me staring after her with my mouth agape.

Okay, that was strange. I tugged my socks and shoes on then headed for my next hour class.

***

Kenadi sat in the passenger seat, as I drove us to the school for C.C.’s play. “It’s weird having you drive us. I’m so used to bringing us everywhere.”