Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 117363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
The Foxes were quick to score again. Jeremy wanted to look up at the clock and see how much time was left and how much longer his Trojans had to suffer, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the court. Xavier stumbled when he got the next serve off, and the Fox guarding him gamely hauled him back upright before running for the ball. It was a simple gesture, but it endeared Jeremy to them so deeply he almost forgot how tired and sore he was. When the Foxes scored once more in the final two minutes of the game, putting them at thirteen to USC’s nine, Jeremy could only laugh.
“We have so much work ahead of us,” he said. “Practices are going to hurt from here on out.”
The final buzzer sounded at last, and it was like watching dominos collapse. One by one the Trojans fell across the court, too exhausted to stay on their feet now that they could finally stop moving. Boyd picked Nabil up like he weighed nothing, offering himself as a crutch, and the dealer in center court crouched down to talk to Xavier. Cody waved up at Kevin, preferring to stay where they’d fallen, but Neil got hold of Cat before she could faceplant on the hard floor. She clung to him for dear life until Laila caught up to them. Neil was free to join his team’s celebration at the half-court line, and he jogged for them like he hadn’t spent ninety minutes running full-tilt all over creation.
Jeremy led the rest of the Trojans onto the court for a quick handshake. Kevin had taped a bit of paper to his racquet, and he tugged it free when Jeremy caught up to him. It tried to curl up again immediately, but Jeremy unrolled it to see two phone numbers scratched out in neat font: Kevin’s and Jean’s.
“I’ll keep in touch,” Jeremy promised, and then he had to keep the line moving.
There were plenty of rested Trojans who could help their teammates back to the locker rooms, so the coaches stayed behind to compare a couple quick notes while Angie, Tony, and Bobby hurriedly gathered up the stick racks and any discarded bottles.
Jeremy was worn to the bone, but not so tired he didn’t see how empty the stands were, and definitely not too tired to take quick looks around at his teammates for their reactions. A couple of them looked far away from here as they took time to process what had just happened, those who’d been on the court were too tired to be disappointed, and the rest teetered between patience and curiosity.
No one spoke until they were back in the locker room away from prying eyes, and then Xavier looked at each of the fifth-years in turn. The six of them had been the first ones approached with this idea since this was their last chance at a championships title.
Jeremy was proud of them for being the first to agree, even if their reasoning was fatalistic: whether they were eliminated in semifinals or finals, they weren't getting past Edgar Allan when it mattered most. They’d spent years trying and failing; they simply didn’t have what it took to one-up the Ravens in a fair fight. If tonight’s gamble meant the Trojans would be better going forward, it was worth the risk of an embarrassing loss.
“Are we good?” Xavier asked.
“Make it mean something and we will be,” Renaldo said.
“It will,” Jeremy said, because he had to believe it. They’d given up, but he couldn’t. He had only one year left, and he refused to end his NCAA career without a single title.
The Trojans’ four coaches arrived then, with head coach James Rhemann in the lead. The Trojans settled down expectantly, and he considered them all with an inscrutable gaze. “First things first: thank you all for having the fortitude and restraint to rise to tonight’s challenge. That includes those of you who weren’t allowed to play; if it wasn’t easy for me to watch I know it wasn’t any easier for you. For those on the court: not our best performance by a long shot, but circumstances being what they were, I am proud of what you pulled off.
“Take this weekend to rest and recover, because next week we can’t afford to hold anything back. We’ll hold off on breaking down tonight’s game until Monday afternoon since some of you are already falling asleep,” he sent a bemused look at Cat, who was propped against Laila and snoring quietly. “Monday morning we’re at the fitness center as usual. Does anyone have anything to say tonight that absolutely cannot wait until next week?”
Jeremy put his hand up. “I have a lot I want to say,” he said, and gamely ignored the way Ananya feigned shock. “For everyone’s sake I’ll wait, but I really, really need to talk to you and Coach Jimenez tonight if you can spare a few minutes.”