Sidelined 2: Intercepted

Chapter 5

DRAYTON

Google Maps was right. From Dallas's dorm room to the USC stadium, it took me fifty-four minutes. Unfortunately, there was an additional ten minutes to park and run like I had the New England Patriots line on my tail to get to the athletes' lounge. Then maybe another thirty to sixty seconds to stand outside the room while I tried to calm my heart rate. I needed to look like everything was perfectly under control when I walked in. Don't let them see you sweat.

I was late, sure, but mistakes happen. It wasn't like I hadn't already proven my commitment to the team. I could catch up. It was more important to get out on the field and work through the plays. I had a few ideas we could try. I was on top of it.

Everyone in the room, except Coach, looked my way when I opened the door. A few of the guys were slumped down on the couches and armchairs looking like the 6:00 a.m. call had been a struggle. Zach waved, and Marcus gave me a what the hell look. Ryan wore a smug expression that immediately pissed me off.

The video review room was decked out with expensive and surprisingly comfortable furniture and all the accessories. USC football spared no expense for its athletes. There were empty plates scattered around the room, coffee cups, and water glasses. They'd all been there for hours, enjoyed breakfast, made themselves comfortable. I sat down beside Zach and leaned back in the chair just as Coach shut off the video. Shit.

"You good?" Zach whispered. "Coach is pissed."

"Yeah, good." I kept my eyes on Coach with the vague hope that when he looked my way he'd think I had been there for a while. "Minor mishap."

Zach didn't look like he believed me but didn't ask anything else.

"All right, guys!" Coach shouted across the room. "Let's hit the field. We'll start with your positional groups before we go seven on seven."

Everyone stood up and grabbed their things. I did the same. If I was lucky, I could slip into the stream of players exiting the room.

My heart was still pounding a bit too fast, though I was pretty sure I was holding it together. I'd gone into complete panic mode when I woke up and realized the time. I should've checked that my phone was actually charging before crashing. I'm usually good with those details, but it was a late night, and Dallas and I did a good job of tiring each other out. Sleeping next to Dallas had seemed like the right choice at the time, but I should've come back to my dorm instead. Her bed was too small for both of us. The party in the hall was raging for a little too long. Miley woke me up when she stumbled in. And, most importantly, there was no margin for error if anything like a dead phone messed with the schedule.

"Look who decided to show up." Coach stood in front of me, hands on hips, as I made my way to the door. Zach was right. Coach was pissed.

"I'm so sorry. I had car trouble—" Yeah, that wasn't technically a lie since freeway traffic could be considered trouble.

"You missed the film session."

"I know. It was a mistake, and—"

"Oh, a mistake! Well, that's fine. Mistakes happen. What can you do?" Apparently, Coach did sarcasm. Good to know. "I assume you mean mistakes like when you don't expect the defense to fake cover two, roll the safety late, and disguise the weak-side blitz." Coach was standing close. Leaning in to really get into my face. He knew I recognized all those words but not the context. He was trying to mess with me. "The kind of mistake that if you don't see it coming until it's too late, your ass will be on the ground, and that means a lost opportunity for the team. Is that the kind of mistake you're talking about?"