Chapter 30

“Mom still has been wondering where you’ve been.” Andrew told me, sitting down on the bench next to me in the locker room. 

“I know... I know I’m so sorry I’ve been so busy...” I shook my head. “Between starting physical therapy and school starting, everything has been so chaotic. And I don’t even have any classes with any of the guys on the team.” 

“Yea because you’re all smart and shit. But seriously, come over soon, mom misses you and she’s been even more girly and weird.” Andrew shrugged. 

“Okay, okay, boys everybody take a seat.” Coach said, standing up in the front of the locker room. There was a guy standing behind him that I didn’t recognize, but looked very official. The rest of the coaching staff was standing behind the benches that we were sitting on, watching expectantly. 

Something big was about to happen. 

Dylan said down on my left, his leg resting against mine. I smiled and nudged his foot. 

“First of all, congratulations to Sam, you look great without the sling thing.” Coach said, pointing at me. 

I laughed as Dylan gave my good shoulder a soft shake. 

“We’ll be looking forward to seeing you on the field this Friday right?” Coach laughed, raising his eyebrows. 

“Yea, I wish.” I shook my head. “Still got 3 more months.” 

It had been a month since I was shot, there was no way I would be playing anytime soon.

“Alright, now I’ve got a little bit of an announcement.” Coach said, running his hand through his hair. “Now first of all, I want all of you to know that this team means the world to me, and that all of you will always hold a special place in my heart.” 

Andrew and I looked at each other. “Do you know what this is about?” I whispered. 

Andrew shook his head. “You?” 

I shook my head. 

We both looked back at Coach. 

“But I’m afraid to say that I’m going to be stepping down from my position as head coach.” Coach said, closing his eyes as everybody in the room started talking. 

Andrew and I looked at each other again with wide eyes. 

“What the fuck.” We both said at the same time. 

“Boys, boys, quiet down.” Coach said loudly over us. 

The locker room grew quiet. But it wasn’t a respect quiet, it was a hurt, upset quiet. 

“Listen, there’s some personal stuff going on right now and I just don’t have the time. But I promise you, Coach Parker is very capable with you lot.” Coach said, turning to the man standing behind him. “I will still be here as a QB coach, and yes, I know it’s my son that I’ll be coaching, but that just makes it easier on everybody. I’ll be at all of the practices, and I’ll still be here if any of you need anything.” 

Coach Parker stepped forwards, a smile on his face. 

“Thanks Tyler.” He smiled. “Hi guys, I’m Coach Parker, like he just said.” 

Andrew and I exchanged looks, both of us shaking our heads. 

“But hey, let’s all wish the guy good luck with the new baby.” Coach Parker laughed. 

“What?!” Andrew and I both exclaimed in shock. “You’re having a baby?! Are you insane?!” 

It was weird how we both said the same thing at the exact same time, but I don’t think either of us were bothered by it at the time. 

“Okay that was weird.” Nate said awkwardly. 

Coach looked absolutely terrified. 

“You two, calm down...” Coach said seriously. “We’ll discuss this later.” 

“Discuss this later?! Way to tell us that you’re expecting a child! What! Is it going to live with us?! Where’s it going to stay?! In case you haven’t noticed we live in a two bedroom house with barely a basement!” Andrew exclaimed. 

“We’re not discussing this now.” Coach said seriously. 

Andrew stood up, shaking his head. “No. No we’re not discussing this now. And we’re not discussing this ever. Because we both know what happened the last time you and mom had a baby and it ended up with two kids in foster care.” Andrew hissed, walking towards the door. 

I took a deep breath as he stormed out of the locker room, the door slamming behind him. 

“Oh sorry man, didn’t mean to bring your family drama into the locker room, but I guess that’s just what you get when you coach your kids.” Parker told Coach with a shrug. 

Coach shot him the dirtiest, most pissed off look I’d ever seen. Coach quickly took a deep breath and composed himself. 

“Alright! Well, Coach Parker, take it away, the team is yours today.” Coach sighed, stepping back. 

“Let’s hit the weight room, boys. I want to see what you can do.” Parker said, clapping his hand. 

The boys stood up, talking amongst themselves as those who were dressed took off their pads. 

“You alright?” Dylan asked me softly. 

“Yea, yea I’m fine.” I nodded. “I mean it’s not like I’ll be playing anyways this season.” 

“I’m talking about the baby.” Dylan said, brushing my arm with his fingers. 

I just gave him a soft smile. “I think I’m going to go find some Advil.” 

“Sam! Go deal with Andrew.” Coach called across the room. 

“Deal with him?” I raised my eyebrows. “You think he’s just something that I have to deal with?” 

“Samantha.” Coach said, giving me a look. 

“Fine! Fine I’ll clean up your mess with your son!” I rolled my eyes, walking towards the door. 

I grumbled under my breath as I walked down the hall to find Andrew. 

He was exactly where I’d go. Sitting just around the corner, against the wall. 

“Coach sent me to deal with you or whatever.” I rolled my eyes, sitting down across from him. 

“Deal with me? What the fuck!” Andrew exclaimed. “He drops a bombshell on us like that! Where the hell is the baby going to live?! How can mom even have kids she’s old!” 

“She’s like 37.” I raised my eyebrows. “That’s not old at all.” 

“Whatever. I just don’t get why they didn’t tell me this! I fucking live with them! And I have to find out in front of the entire team that we’re going to have a baby brother or sister?” Andrew shook his head. “It’s bullshit. Not to mention dad’s quitting his job?” 

“He’s giving up on us that’s the problem.” I grumbled. “We’ve got a team that doesn’t know how to work together, and now he’s messing everything up and he’s leaving a new coach to do his dirty work.” 

“Exactly. Gosh I know I haven’t been here that long but from the first game of his that I saw, your team was on fire.” Andrew laughed. 

I nodded. “He can’t just drop us when we need him the most.” 

“Oi babies, get up, we’re hitting the weight room.” Coach said, sticking his head around the corner. 

“We’re in the middle of a conversation here.” I said, glaring at him. 

Coach sighed, crossing his arms. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys, it wasn’t really supposed to be public news...” 

“When’s she going to have the baby?” I asked, looking up at him. 

“Uh, December.” 

“December?!” Andrew and I exclaimed. 

“That’s in three months!” I gasped.

“Yea well like I said, we didn’t want to tell anyone just yet but-” 

“I can’t believe you dad!” Andrew said loudly, standing up. “I just can’t believe that you’d keep that from us!” 

“Andy don’t-” 

Andrew pushed past coach, walking quickly down the hall. 

I stood up too, but Coach stopped me. “Not so fast Sam.” Coach shook his head. “Stop by soon, your mother wants to see you.” 

“Obviously not enough to give me a damn call herself.” I hissed, pushing past him to join the rest of the team in the weight room. 

I could still work out, just not my right arm. And during the workout, I didn’t talk to a single person, pushing myself way past the limit that I should’ve. 

“Damn, what’s wrong today?” Dylan asked, walking up to me. 

“Fuck off.” I muttered, standing up from the exercise bike. 

“You’re going to burn yourself out.” Dylan said softly. “And we have dinner with my family tonight.” 

“I don’t give a damn about the stupid dinner with your stupid little happy family.” I said harshly. 

“Oi stop talking over there!” Parker called over. 

“If he doesn’t shut the hell up...” I shook my head. 

“Alright, team gather round, I have some stuff I want to go over with you guys. Just a few ground rules, and then I’ll let you get out of here early for today.” Parker said as we stood around him. 

“You dress up on game day. I don’t care if you used to wear your jerseys, or do something funny. This team is going to be respected. Button up shirt and a tie. No jeans. There will be no relationships during the football season. There will be no drinking during the season. There will be no parties during the season. You will maintain a B average or above or you certainly will not play. You miss a practice, you don’t play in the next game.” He started. 

Andrew, who was standing next to me, looked at me with the most shocked look I’d ever seen on his face. 

“There will be no swearing. There will be no favorites. There will be no inappropriate language or comments in the locker room. There will be no inappropriate gestures on the field. There will be no slacking off in practice. There will be no talking back to your coach. There will be no missing games under any circumstances. I don’t care if you’re sick, or you have homework, or your dog died, or your grandma is in the hospital, you will be at this game, dressed and ready to go by call time. If you’re late, you don’t want to know what will happen. There will be no participation in any other sports, recreational or not, you will not be a part of any other team. There will be no practicing outside of the designated practice time, that’s how injuries happen. There will be a 10 o clock curfew on nights before games. If you break curfew, you get to school at 5 in the morning for the entirety of the next week for some extra practice.” Parker continued. 

“Oh my God.” Dylan whispered, shaking his head. “This is insane.” 

I raised my hand. 

“One more thing. Sam, I’m sure you’re a great player, but we won’t be needing you on the team. You can go.” Parker said. 

My jaw dropped, while the usual guys put up a fight. 

“That’s bullshit!” 

“You can’t cut Sam!” 

“Sam’s the life of the team!” 

“Don’t be ridiculous!” 

I watched as Coach walked up to him and whispered something in his ear. 

Parker listened for a moment, then nodded. 

“I’m sorry about that Sam, you’re welcome to stay.” Parker nodded. 

I glared at Coach, crossing my arms. 

“I love you.” Dylan whispered in my ear. 

“Careful babe, no relationships.” I winked, nudging his side. 

Dylan laughed, sliding his arm around my waist. 

“Want to get our own workout in when we get home?” Dylan whispered. 

“Gladly.” I winked, stepping away from him. 

“Alright, I’d like Sam, Andrew, Dylan, Nate, Matt, and Luke to stay back, the rest of you can go.” Parker said. 

Andrew and I exchanged looks as we walked towards our new coach. 

“Okay, so the lot of you, I know you’re probably what people would consider the populars of this team. And I know you’re all really close with each other and Coach Lowellson, but I want you to know that you’re not going to get that kind of treatment anymore. You want a spot? Earn it. You want special treatment? In your dreams. Look, I know you guys think you’re all that, but that’s going to change here alright? Sam, I’ll let you practice with the team and everything, but with your arm and all, you know you won’t be getting any playing time.” Parker addressed me. 

I nodded. “Um, what about uh, um, well see your rules, uh, there’s a lot of them...” I said, biting my lip. “And um, about the whole relationship thing... I know some of the guys have had pretty long term relationships, and I totally respect your rules and everything but-” 

“Don’t worry about it. The whole rule was just to make the guys more careful. I totally understand teenage boys and their girls, it was basically like a guideline to scare them. If they think they’re not allowed to have a relationship, then they’re not going to do anything stupid. Most of my rules are like that, but just, just keep it here in this group alright?” 

We all nodded. 

“Look, I’m not promising any special treatment, but I know you lot are the real talent on this team, so do your best, and you can all come to me for anything.” Parker said seriously. 

Andrew and I exchanged looks while the other guys agreed with Coach. 

“Alright well we have to get home, my mom’s got some huge dinner planned and Sam smells really bad so she has to shower.” Dylan said, wrapping his arms around my shoulders as he pulled me backwards. 

“Oi, you mean the two of you need to shower.” Nate smirked. 

“Together.” Matt winked. 

“Uh no. I still can’t shower properly with my lovely ass wounds.” I shook my head with a laugh. “Dylan’s just being annoying as shit.” 

“You know you love it.” Dylan grinned. 

“Get off of me before I kick you.” I groaned, shoving him away. 

I almost laughed at the glare that Parker was giving us. 

“New coach is mad.” Dylan whispered in my ear, making me giggle. 

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What do you think about Coach Parker huh? Why do you think he's setting so many rules, then blatantly telling the guys that they don't really have to follow them? Weird right? And Coach and Marissa having a baby?! Who saw that one coming? 

Update: Tomorrow morning 

-Panda