Font Size:

Page 208 of The Striker (Gods of the Game 1)

Coach grunted again. “You’ve been a headache for me since you joined the team, Donovan, and I’ve seen your face in my office more times than I care to count. If I really wanted to teach you a lesson, I’d keep you benched through the holidays and into the new year. I don’t give a damn what the public says.”

I swallowed, my blood going cold at his words. “I understand.”

“However.” He leaned forward and tented his hands beneath his chin. “You and DuBois are finally acting like adults toward each other. You’ve demonstrated a concrete willingness tolistenand change and, while he obviously can’t share details, Myles says you’re making good progress in your sessions. So I am inclined to think that maybe you’ve already learned your lesson.”

My heart sped up, but I maintained a neutral expression while I waited for him to finish. I didn’t want to jinx anything.

“I’m putting you back in for next week’s match. Consider it a trial. We’ll see where we go from there.” Coach scowled. “However, if you so much as get a speeding ticket under my watch, you’re going straight back to the bench. Am I clear?”

Overwhelming relief rushed into every cell of my body.I’m fucking back. I couldn’t wait to tell Scarlett and the team.

“Yes, sir.” My grin could’ve powered the entirety of Markovic Stadium on its own. “You won’t regret it. I promise.”

CHAPTER 54

SCARLETT

The night of the winter student showcase dawned bright and cold.

My coat warded off the worst of the chill, but a gust of wind snuck past the layers of wool to claw at my bones anyway.

I shivered, half grateful and half apprehensive that we would be inside soon.

I hadn’t told Emma I was coming. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I was second-guessing my appearance with every step.

Asher’s gloved hand squeezed mine. “You ready?” he asked, his voice quiet.

I took a deep breath and nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

We were already here. It was too late to turn back.

Nevertheless, the air evacuated from my lungs when we turned the corner and Westbury’s famous neoclassical facade burst into view.

It loomed ahead, its grand columns and ornate gilding illuminated by the soft glow of neighboring lampposts. The marble steps teemed with people dressed in suits and gowns, and several professional photographers snapped pictures of the arriving attendees like it was a red-carpet event.

For RAB, itwasa red-carpet event. Most attendees were friends and family of the students, but there were also alumni and dance company representatives present. The school made a limited number of tickets available to the public, and those were snatched up by true ballet aficionados.

It was going to be a spectacular night—if I could get past the rattle of nerves in my chest.

“Breathe,” Asher said as we approached the steps. “We can leave any time you want.”

This time, I was the one who squeezed his hand in silent thanks.

“We’re not leaving.” My resolve pushed past the nerves and hardened into determination. “We came here for Emma, and we’re staying for her.”

After several lengthy discussions, I became Emma’s official mentor last month. I’d never mentored anyone before, but Ilovedmy new role. Teaching students dance techniques was one thing; guiding them in their career was another.

The latter was so much more fulfilling than I expected, and Iwantedto see her perform live. She’d worked so hard for the role. I didn’t want to be so weak and selfish that I wouldn’t even try to set aside my own hang-ups to support her on the biggest night of her career so far.

So here I was, mouth dry and heart racing as Asher showed our tickets to the staff.

Several people did a double take when they saw him, but they were polite enough to keep a respectful distance, and we entered the theatre with no issues.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to deal with the paps hounding us anymore either. After weeks of endless coverage and clickbait articles, they finally got bored and moved on to the messy movie star divorce Brooklyn predicted earlier in the fall.

They still popped up now and then because Asher was Asher, but compared to the circus of our early days, we were enjoying relative peace.

“I’ve never been here before.” Asher sounded impressed as he took in our opulent surroundings. “It’s beautiful.”




Top Books !
More Top Books

Treanding Books !
More Treanding Books