Mutual Hatred - Love Game (2 page)

A chorus of 'Yeah' and 'Sure' and 'I'm going to need more deodorant' answered his last question.

"Okay then. I want three laps around the field. No stopping. Run as fast as you can but pace yourselves! GO!"

The boys silently filed down the bleachers, but the moment they started running the chatter rose.

Brandon Miller was the last one to start running. "Take your pom poms and go back to spirit camp," he said nastily as he brushed past her.

Shelley scowled. No way was she going to let someone with a bad attitude like that get to her. She realized now the truth in what Coach Wise and Kyle had said. How long was this going to keep up?

Someone put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't mind Brandon," said Wise apologetically, "He wasn't too happy when I told him you'd be helping me coach. And you just found that out for yourself. He'll come 'round soon."

Somehow, Shelley highly doubted that. Nevertheless, she gave Mr. Wise a winning smile and replied, "I'm sure he will. At least he's not captain. I don't know how I'd deal with that attitude."

"Actually..."

Shelley's mouth dropped open. "You made Brandon Miller captain?"

"Actually, the team and myself all agreed he was captain material. I know he doesn't seem too friendly, but he's one of the best players here."

Shelley's eyes followed Brandon's figure as he passed up many of his teammates. "I don't doubt that."

Mike Wise began to point out several players and their positions, as if Shelley didn't already know. "Your friend Kyle Stanford plays receiver; that's James Watkins, he's cornerback; Alex Taylor in the blue is the other cornerback. Behind him, that's Carl Parker. He, Michael Murphy, and Johnny Nickol are our linebackers. Chris Torres is fullback. And that guy he just shoved is Joshua Alvarez who plays halfback."

Shelley's mind wandered as he showed her the offensive and defensive linemen. Brandon Miller was one fast runner. By the time Coach Wise finished talking, Brandon was the first person done with his laps. He took a quick drink from his water bottle and promptly glared at Shelley, who once again found herself staring.

"Do you make it a habit to stare at good-looking people?" he asked haughtily.

"I don't know what you're talking about; the only person I've been staring at is you and you're far from good-looking," she answered sweetly.

Brandon made it seem like he was going to scowl but quickly recovered. "It's okay if you like what you see. Everybody does when they see me."

"What's there to like?" Shelley retorted.

"Hmm, let me think. I'm quarterback, I've got gorgeous hair, a six pack, and I'm basically ridiculously good looking. I don't see you complaining," he said with a smirk.

"Just because all the girls fawn over you doesn't mean you're
that
good-looking."

This remark only made Brandon press further. "So you agree that I'm at least a
little
good-looking."

Shelley couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Compared to a squirrel, yes, you are undoubtedly handsome."

This time Brandon did scowl. "Well you're not so hot yourself Miss Cheerleader."

"Are you kidding me? With this body, this hair, and this face, I'm the hottest thing going," she said mockingly.

"I don't know why Coach thinks we need you. Do you even know the first thing about football?"

"Well I
must
know how to play, otherwise I don't think Coach Wise would have asked me to help!" Shelley retorted.

"Maybe I haven't made this clear enough. We. Don't. Need. You. We were perfectly fine without you, and with me as captain we're going to dominate this year," he said confidently.

"Clearly your head is so inflated you can't see what's going on around you. This team hasn't won more than 2 games a season in seven years. What makes you think that they'll do better with YOU as captain?"

"Because I'm good."

"There is no 'I' in
team
," she argued.

"So what? All we need is me to carry us to victory."

Shelley shook her head. "If football was a one person sport, then it would be. So just because you're captain doesn't mean you're better."

While Shelley and Brandon had been having their war with words, the rest of the team had finished their laps and circled around them, listening with rapt attention. When Shelley said that last line half the team had cheered. Someone had even said "You tell him!"

Shelley grinned as Brandon threw her a look of disdain. "You'll regret you said that," he said quietly, "We're going to make you wish you had gone to cheer camp this summer."

"You and what army?" she said scornfully.

Brandon had narrowed his eyes that they were slits now. "Watch your back."

Chapter 2 – Girls and Football

An amused Shelley raised her eyebrows. "Is that a threat?"

"You bet it is," snarled Brandon.

This only made Shelley laugh. "If I were you, and thank god I'm not, I wouldn't even
try
anything."

"Why the fuck not?" Brandon demanded.

"Because I'm your coach now, not just some other person you can boss around. You've already said enough to get yourself in trouble. If I want you off the team, anything you do or say to me can and WILL be used against you. And gosh, we've got witnesses too."

"You wouldn't."

Shelley matched his glare with one of her own. "Oh, I would. Just watch me."

And with that she spun on her heel and was about to march away when Kyle tugged her arm.

"What?" she asked impatiently.

"Shelley, you're not really going to get him kicked off are you?" asked Kyle, more serious than she'd ever seen him, "Because we need him if we want to win this year."

Shelley's tone softened. "No, not yet. But if he pisses me off enough I just might."

"But that's abusing your privileges as coach," he protested, "You can't hold a grudge against him just because you don't like him! That's not fair!"

"Nobody said I had to be fair."

"But we need him!" he persisted.

"If he's gone you guys are all going to step up your game and you'll realize you don't need him," Shelley argued, "You guys don't reach your full potential because of Brandon. No one wants to take his spotlight because none of you want to face his wrath. But what can he do if the whole team is against him?"

"That's the thing, Shells. Half the team
supports
him."

"What about the rest of you losers?"

"They don't want to face his wrath for being against him!"

Shelley rolled her eyes. "He's only eighteen years old. What could he possibly do to you?"

Kyle shrugged. "I don't know. But go a little easy on him, will you? He's not used to having girls stand up to him, especially you."

"You're absolutely right, Kyle my man. And it's not going to happen again," cut in the man of the moment, Brandon.

"I wouldn't count on it. As long as I'm around, you'll be doing what I tell you. I'm not taking any of your bullshit, so get used to it," Shelley retorted.

"It's my team, my rules," he replied defiantly.

Shelley scoffed, "
Your
team? Excuse me; half of the team only worships you because they don't want to get on your bad side. The other half just doesn't want to say anything!"

"Hey, maybe you guys should cool it-" interrupted Kyle.

"-Shut up, Stanford! I thought it was bros over hoes; now you're taking her side?" Brandon said angrily.

"I'm not taking anyone's side!" Kyle said impatiently, "It's just that you guys are going to be working together for the next few months whether you like it or not, so maybe we should just try to set aside our differences."

"You'd be a great addition to the Peace Corps," Shelley said sarcastically, "But seriously, stay out of this unless you want to get hit in the crossfire. This is between me and Mr. High-and-Mighty here."

"I'm high and mighty?
I'M
high and mighty?!? You're the one who talks like you own this damn team and it's only your first day!" Brandon yelled.

"Actually, you're getting me confused with yourself. It's not my team any more than it is yours."

"Then stop acting like it is!"

"Oh both of you quit your whining and grow up. This is football practice, not a screaming match. Save it for after hours," said Coach Wise.

Brandon and Shelley mumbled their apologies and practice finally proceeded. Wise instructed the boys to do one of their drills and left Brandon in charge.

"I'm sorry about Brandon's attitude. Normally he's a very nice person. Just give him time," said the coach, "But I'm a little disappointed in you also."

Shelley's eyes fell to the ground. "I know. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have gotten mad at Brandon. I'm only supposed to be watching today, not getting into arguments. I was planning on saving the yelling for another day."

"It's alright. I heard some of that; he was a bit of an asshole there. It'll be like that for awhile until they begin to accept you."

Shelley merely nodded in agreement, which prodded Mr. Wise to continue.

"Now I left Brandon in charge so I could talk to you about training schedule. These first two weeks are just mild conditioning, but after that it'll be a lot tougher. I'd like to have practice in the mornings from seven to ten, before it gets too hot during the day. Otherwise they all start complaining like a bunch of sissy girls. And I know this is short notice, but I'd like you to give the guys a pep talk tomorrow. When I asked you to help, I didn't tell you the whole truth. You'll actually be doing most of the work this season, not just helping."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I haven't told the boys yet, but this is my last year coaching; I'm retiring. Frankly, I'm too old to do this. I'm almost sixty years old and I don't have the same amount of energy that I did these past years. We've been getting worse because my heart hasn't been in it. I'm too easy on them; they don't work hard enough."

"I won't be doing all the work, right? I mean, Coach Johnson and Coach Wess are coaching too, right?"

"Of course they are. You didn't honestly think I'd make you responsible for everything, did you? Johnson will be doing defense and Wess will cover offense. You're going to be helping me oversee this team as head coach. I want my last year to end with a bang-a good, big one mind you. We're going to win this year. I can feel it!" he proclaimed.

Shelley couldn't contain a smile. "We won't let you down, Coach Wise."

"I believe that. And Shelley? The ball is in your hands. Feel free to take it and run with it."

What exactly was he trying to say?
"Are you trying to say that I can make whatever changes I want?"

"As long as they're logical, yes. I'd prefer it if you didn't change the lineup or their positions. I think the boys are all comfortable with the position they're playing. Other than that, I give you free reign under my watch."

They walked around; Shelley observed and took notes on changes she wanted to make. Wise gave them a break as Shelley felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She whipped it out and checked the caller id. It was Taryn Manuel, her best friend.

"Hey, what's up?" Shelley said gaily

"I should be asking you that. How's the football team?" asked Taryn's bubbly voice.

"It's okay, really. Tomorrow I think I'll yell at them because I feel like it."

There was a pause before Taryn finally said, "Why?"

"Because I feel like it. Do I need a good reason?" Shelley said sourly.

"I guess not," Taryn said uncertainly. "But seriously Shelley. What's it like working with all those guys? Do they practice with their shirts off?"

Shelley laughed. "Not yet. And it's not exactly a dream job, Tare. It's weird being around all this testosterone."

"What about Brandon Miller? I swear, he's beautiful!" Taryn gushed.

"He'd be offended that you called him beautiful, Tare."

"But it's the truth! Have you seen that chin? It's the George Clooney chin! And you know I'm a chin woman!" wailed Taryn.

Shelley laughed. "He may be good-looking but his personality positively reeks. He needs an attitude adjustment."

"Don't tell me you got into a fight with him!"

"He started it!" Shelley said defensively.

"Do you realize how immature that sounds? Spill. What did he say to you?"

"Apparently he's not happy that a girl is coaching. He thinks girls and football don't belong in the same sentence. And then he went as far as to threaten me. Watch my back my ass!" she complained.