Page 57 of Fast Break


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After the anthem, we take our positions on thefield. At the draw, Philly takes possession and makes a fastbreak. But we're ready, and the opponent takes ashotthat bounces off the right post and is picked up by Marisol. She makes aquickpass to Ava, who takes it down to the opposite arc. After a few passes, Allie takes ashot, sending it perfectly into the net. We've drawn first blood. I bang the posts with mystick, myteammateson and off thefieldshouting in celebration. I lock in and prepare for the next draw.

It's a fast-pacedgameand we're evenly matched. After our first few goals, Philly finds its stride and begins matching us goal for goal. At halftime, Philly has cut our lead down to three. I'm following everyone out of the locker room when I spotCharlieand my heart somersaults. He doesn't see me, so I hang back anddrink him in. He looks the same as ever. I can’t see who he’s speaking with, but when he smiles, I'm blindsided. Whoever it is gets the two-dimple treatment. A beautiful brunette steps into view to reach up on tiptoe andkisshis cheek. I’m not surprised, but another piece of my heart chips off and floats away. I can't afford tostand hereanymore. I snap on my helmet and rush out to thefieldto take my place.

The second half is grueling. I'm peripherally aware Charlie’s on the sidelines now, but my focus is where it should be—on thefield. Our lead is down to one with only a minute left on the clock. Ava makes ashotbrilliantly blocked by the Stars' goalie. She clears it acrossfieldto a player who'd been sitting in my blind spot on the right. The attackermovesacross the arc.

"Cutter!"I shout.

My defense is on it and she takes ashoteasily deflected. But the ref blows her whistle."Shooting space,"she calls.

It's a penalty on us. Andi put her body in the path of the attacker, resulting in our opponent being awarded a freeshotfrom the 8-meter arc."I'm sorry,"Andi pants, hands on her knees.

"It's all right. Shake it off."I bang each of my posts and crouch into position. Andimovesbehind the attacker and defense lines up along the arc, ready to crash the net. I draw in a fewdeepbreaths to center myself.

I study the Philly player'sshouldersfor any indication if she's going high or low with theshot. The whistle blows. She angles left, hershoulderscoming up. I straighten slightly and move my focus to the head of herstickto anticipate the release. One step, two steps... she swings herstick, the bright yellow ball coming at me. My eyes are on it, and working on instinct, Ipushout in time for it to bounce off the side of mystickhead. It drops down and I scoop it up on the ricochet.

The crowd noise is deafening. The clock winds down. I wait until the last possible second before stepping out of the crease and into the arc. Swinging my eyes back and forth, I look for someone open to take the clear, but Philly covers our players like ants on a picnic sandwich. Iruntoward centerfield, keeping my cradle tight, dodging checks from the opponents. Someone calls my name and I find Allie, who's shaken her defender behind the opposite net. I rear back andpushmystickforward, sending the ball sailing. She catches it and wraps the crease, dumping it in behind the goalie before the other woman has time to react.

This whistle blows, signifying the goal just as the horn announces the end of thegame. We've done it. We're the league champions.

I catchCharlie'seye during all the celebrating on thefield, which he is, of course, capturing for the socials. He grins widely andgivesme a thumbs up. I smile back and shake mystick.

"Too bad we won't be enjoying his flavor of eye candy nextseason,"Jewel sighs next to me.

"What do you mean?"I ask.

"I heard he's transferring to the Red Hawks. I think someone said he's moving back to Annapolis."

I spin around, my heart in my throat, but now I can't find him. The crowd has swallowed him up.

Thirty-Four

Palmer

It'sa while before I'm finally released. Everyone is heading back to the hotel and then out to a local club to celebrate, even the coaches. I look for my parents as wewalkout to the bus and spot them waiting with the Wainwrights. I jog over and my father envelops me in a tight hug.

"Congratulations,"he says."I'm so proud of you."

"It was a greatgame,"Ned Wainwright says, and everyone echoes the sentiment.

"Thanks,"I say, pulling out of my dad's arms and kissing my momon the cheek."Thankyou for coming,"I say to her.

"Sorry it took so long,"she says, squeezing my hand."I won't pretend I understood anything that was going on out there, but still—well done,Palmer."

"Are you guys going back to the hotel?"I ask.

"I think we decided to drive home,"my dad says."It's only a few hours, and your mother would rather be in her own bed."

"Me, too,"Patsy agrees.

"And I'm the official driver,"Boonesays. He hugs me."You looked great out there."

"What about that save in the second quarter?"my dad and Ned begin rehashing some of my finer moments. I look over to seeCharlieloading gear into the trunk of a car parked near the bus.

"Sorry, I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I kiss my mother on the cheek and say goodbye to everyone.“Thanksagain for coming."

Myteammatesare still milling about the bus and the managers continue to load on the equipment. I have at least a few minutes and I can't put this off any longer.

"Hi.” I strive to keep my voice even as I approach.