Song for the start of the chapter!

The ride to the stadium the next day is quiet as I mull over what Mom said the other day. She had a point about me not knowing for sure if Everett causes Dad stress. There is only one way to find out.

"What stresses you?" I ask Dad as he drives to practice.

He lifts his finger in the air as he raises his eyebrows. "Oh, that's an easy one. When I'm hungry, or when the cap on the toothpaste is lost, or when you don't hang your coat on a hanger, or..."

I laugh as I shake my head. I have to stop him or he will keep going. "As useful as this information is, I wanted to know about work. What stresses you about that?"

He frowns as he strokes his mustache. "When the team isn't a team."

During the first practice, he talked about teamwork and why it was so important. But over the fall camp, I have seen that our team isn't a team. They are cliquish and they bully each other. They are not unified. "Our team has issues. Why is that happening?"

He gives a long sigh. "Oh that's a long story but it involved kicking a player off the team at the end of last year."

This must be what Melissa was talking about the other day. This was the information I was missing. I catch myself holding my breath, wanting to know more. "What was his name?"

He shakes his head. "I don't want to jinx anything, so I better not say."

So close to answers but yet so far. I want more but decide not to push it. The thing is, I will find out one way or another. I don't really need his help. A simple Google search will solve so many questions. "Fine. Why did he get kicked off?"

"Oh, because some rules were broken, and trust shattered so on and so forth. We're still dealing with the fallout, and I think that is why the team is having problems."

"And one person caused all this damage?" I ask in disbelief. I was so quick to blame Everett, but it appears I could have been wrong. Was he just part of the burning wreckage of a bomb that exploded the year before?

Dad turns into the parking lot of the athletic center. "One person is capable of more than you know," he says, his tone turning serious.

I cannot help myself. I need more information. "Is there any team member that stresses you currently?"

He laughs as he gets out of the car. "This sounds like an interrogation, Nora."

I merely shrug. "Figured if I know about the players, I can better help you."

"That's real sweet Nojo." He sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose. "The short answer? All of them caused stress at different times."

The vague response causes me to frown. It isn't what I am expecting or wanting, and it makes me feel as empty as a house after a Christmas party. Even if Everett isn't the entire issue, he is still part of the problem. Dad worked too hard to have one kid mess it all up. I couldn't prevent what happened last year, but I can at least stop any player from making a major mistake this year. My eyes are on Everett.

"But great talk, Nora. I'm happy you're going headfirst into this stuff like a diver into a sea." He places his hand on my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. "It makes me prouder than I could even say. Anyhow, enough talk, let's get this day started. It's supposed to be hotter than the south today so I'm calling this fall camp day inside. I think we all need some A/C in our lives."

I follow Dad into the center as the sun rises above us, already beating down with strength. With fall camp almost over, I wonder what is on our plate for afterwards. Is there more training? Is there a break? I don't even know when the first game is. Just when I feel as if I'm getting my footing, I am thrown back into the deep end. I feel like I am drowning.

"You know what my favorite thing about Fridays are?"

"What? The chocolate chip cookies from the cafeteria?"

He stops. "No, but that makes it better. My favorite thing about Fridays are the team building games. And guess what? You're playing."

I nearly crash into him. He's joking. This has to be a joke. There is no way I would consider myself athletic. Those players will judge me. I don't belong on the team games. My hands start to sweat.

"Do you think that is a good idea?"

"Why not? You want to know the players, don't you? That's the best way."

I swallow the lump of fear in my throat. I should have kept my mouth shut. Stay quiet and look pretty. That is one way to stay on the sidelines. Maybe I should have done that.

"Cheer up champ, you'll be great," Dad says then walks into the locker room where the players are waiting for him.

I follow behind him, hoping the players are all fully clothed. I hold my breath. Don't want to relive last Tuesday's experience. Shelly's flat butt still haunts my memories... I shutter.

My eyes look up to see the players. Everyone is decent. I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Ok, we are doing a different team building game today. Break up into teams of four and I'll provide instructions afterwards."

The team quickly talks to one another as they sort out their teams.

My eyes scan the crowd, looking for Everett with no luck. His lone three friends are here talking with each other, but Everett is nowhere to be seen. This isn't the first time he's missed practice. But it still shocks me because Dad has mentioned that fall camp is the most important camp of them all so why is he not here?

"Go to the team that has the least number of players," Dad says to me.

"I never did have a choice then, did I?"

He smiles as he throws a finger gun my way before turning back to the team. "Who has only three on their team?"

Rick, Shelly, and Mike raise their hands.

I make eye contact with them as I wipe my damp hands on my pants. Yes, I have seen all three of their butts at one point or another already. I don't want to dive into any more details.

"Great, you have Nora on your team now."

At least they aren't the worst players to be with. Silently, I walk over to Rick's team feeling all eyes on me. Whispers fill the room, making the hair on my neck stand on edge. They are all probably glad that I am not on their team. But Rick gives a friendly smile, making me feel wanted.

"Fu...." Shelly stops himself before owing Dad another dollar. "Cool! Nora's our secret weapon!"

"Maybe," Dad says with a smile. "Only time will tell. Only teamwork will get you through this. All the assistant coaches left items around the stadium. To win, you all need to work together. That's the only way to get through the puzzle."

A few of the team members protest, but Dad takes no interest in their complaints as he hands one person from each team a paper. "Read over the information and figure out where the missing items are. You have one hour."

Rick hands me the paper like it will burn him if he holds it any longer. "You can take the lead on this since your coach's daughter."

I try not to let the comment bother me as my eyes skim the paper. Shaking loose of coach's daughter seems impossible when they always mention it. "I hope you know I had no idea I would be participating until this morning. You think I'm the secret weapon, but I'm really not."

He furrows his eyebrows, making a crease in the middle of his forehead. "Well, in that case, it says we have to pick one teammate to grab the locker room keys and tell coach Olly one dream of ours."

"I can do it," Shelly pipes in.

"Then go, we can't waste any time. I want to win this time."

As Shelly speeds off, Rick turns to face me as a smile traces his lips.

He was always friendly towards me, but he never said much. Honestly, most players don't say much to me. But with me on Rick's team, he has time to talk. "So you go to school here?"

I nod. "I'm a sophomore, and how about you?"

"Senior. What's your major?"

"International Business."

"Rick, this isn't social hour. Shelly's going to be back at any time," Mike complains.

Rick glares at Mike and instantly he shuts his mouth. "We might have a few classes together since I'm doing business."

I don't think I ever remember seeing Rick in a past course, but maybe this year will be different.

Shelly returns with a frown on his face and empty hands. "I couldn't find him," he mutters.

"What do you mean, you couldn't find him?" Rick asks, raising his voice, changing his mood almost instantly.

________________

As the game ends, it is obvious no team can win. I am not sure if it was because the clues are too hard or if we are all terrible at problem solving. I won't lie, I am disappointed. I want to win.

With a dissatisfied sigh, Dad looks at the groups of people in front of him. He stops the buzzing timer and stuffs it into his pocket. "And an hour is up. It's a shame. No team got the prize." He strokes his mustache in thought. "Well, there's always next time. Why don't you all go out for a run to cool down and we can call it quits for the day."

"Better luck next time," Shelly says as he passes me to get on the field.

I nod, although I wish I have something more to say.

As the room clears, Dad comes up to me, shaking his head. I am not sure if he is bummed no one won or if he is just disappointed in himself. But he must know that whatever issues this team is going through it isn't his fault.

"So how did you like being part of the team for the games."

Once again, it wasn't as terrible as I originally thought. Being part of the team helped form a connection with the players. I now know Rick, Shelly, and Mike better. And that probably is great if I want to improve the team relations. "I liked it. I'm just bummed we didn't solve it."

"I'll tell you a secret. We played the same game last year and one team was able to solve the puzzle in 30 minutes," he says as he hands me a paper with all the locations of the items hidden. "Can you get them and stick them in my office? After that, could you pick up some papers for me? The assistant coaches left them in the locker rooms, and you can stick them on my desk."

I nod. "Sure." With that, I walked off to find the items, then accomplish the other task he wanted me to do.

_____________

As I walk back with the items in my hands Tad runs up to me with a smile. "Hey girl."

I smile at him. "Hey! What's up?"

"Any plans tonight?"

I thought about my fabulous date with my couch and my laptop. and shrug. "Nothing much."

"Want to go to a party?"

I walk around the scarlet and gray themed locker room and pick up a piece of trash, tossing it in the nearest bin. "I don't know." I have never been to a college party before but honestly from what Vera told me, they don't sound fun.

"Aw come on Nora, the whole team is going," Rick speaks up as he walks into the locker room.

I shake my head. "Nah, I'll pass this time."

"Oh please Nora, come," Shelly begs as he follows behind Rick.

Having them beg makes me feel like I am important. I like that feeling. "Maybe next time."

The two of them frown in silence, then went off to deal with something else.

My eyes laid hold of the notes waiting for me on a chair and pick them up.

"Just think about the party," Tad says before he walks into the showers.

Probably not. But I'll humor him. I nod then leave to Dad's office.

With papers in my hands, I am greeted almost instantly as I enter Dad's space.

"Hey Nojo! Let me introduce you to Melissa," Dad says.

I quickly shake her hand, making sure to meet her eyes, before placing the stack of papers on Dad's desk. "Based on contrary beliefs, I'm Nora, not Nojo."

Her stiff smile makes the encounter feel forced and unwelcomed. "So, it's not Nojo?"

"Dad has a collection of nicknames for me. Nojo being at the top of the list."

"It's nice to meet you, Nora."

"Pleasure meeting you too, Melissa."

Melissa turns to Dad and says, "Paul, listen to what I'm telling you. I'll be back tomorrow to discuss further." With that, she leaves the room.

I wait a few moments before I cannot hold my curiosity any longer. "What did she tell you?" I blurt out.

He shrugs as he knit his eyebrows together then rolls his shoulders back. "You know, I have a lot on my plate. Can we talk about this later? I have to deal with these papers right now."

I nod, although I want to push the answers out of him. I don't want to rock any boats though. "How about I get snacks?"

He looks up from his papers. "That would be fantastic. Thank you, Nora."

I smile at him, happy to be at least some use, then leave without another word to get some snacks from the cafeteria.

As I approach the counter with the snacks perfectly laid out, Everett is leaning against the wall beside them, with a cup in his hands.

He makes eye contact with me and nods a simple greeting, then goes back to sipping his drink casually, as if I had seen him earlier that day.

I chose not to acknowledge him as I select the snacks Dad would like. It doesn't matter if I have questions burning holes in the back of my brain... No. I will stay silent.

"So are you going to the party tonight?" Everett asks.

If he is going, that will be a solid no. "Probably not," I state.

"What would make you go? An invitation from me?" He smirk as he runs his hands through his styled short hair.

I roll my eyes in frustration. It is like the conversation we had a few days ago in the park didn't exist. He is still trying to talk to me like we are friends, or at least trying to win me over. But he doesn't know me. He doesn't know how stubborn I could be.

"So what do you say? Would an invitation from me change your mind?" he asks again.

Like that would seal the deal. He will never win me over. Might as well give up now. He is a bully, a stressor, just plain old mean. He didn't even bother to come to the games today, so that tells me he doesn't want to be a part of the team. "Oh, because that sounds so tempting now," I say with sarcasm then I turn on my heals, ready to leave.

"Wait, Nora, maybe going out might be good for you."

I stop and turn my attention to him again. Good for me? He makes me to mad. How does he know what is good for me?

"It might be worth it to see what the players are like off the field. We are more than football and you don't see that. I think you don't know the players for who they really are."

As much as I want to yell at him, his dark eyes speak to me. There is truth behind them and for a second, his confidence is replaced with sincerity. I hate to admit it, but he might be right. Gosh, that feels so wrong saying.

I chew on my lip in thought until finally decide that it won't be too bad. Everett is completely different outside of practice, so the other players might be different too. "Fine."

He smirks which makes me scowl. "I'll see you there then?"

Please, I beg you, let's not regret this. "I'll see you there," I say and walk away, hoping that I made the right choice.

_______________________________

Later that night I run down the stairs at home to see my parents sitting in the living room, tending to their own personal forms of relaxation on this Friday night.

"I'm going out with Tad and his girlfriend," I say as I slip on a pair of white sneakers.

"I didn't know Tad had a girlfriend." Dad frowns as he strokes his mustache.

"Don't take it personally, most people don't know. It's a casual thing," I state.

"Is that what people are saying these days? Sometimes I don't get these kids."

The doorbell rings. Thank goodness. I don't have enough energy to explain open relationships with Dad.

"That's them. I'll be out late, don't wait for me."

"Have fun!" Mom says, turning back to her magazine.

I wave to them before I run out the door. Waiting on the front porch is Tad, dressed in all black with his black hair slicked back. It is a completely different look than his standard OSU apparel. He looks fashionable, handsome even. Seeing him makes me realize, just like everyone else, he has a different life outside of work. "You look good."

He smiles as he sticks his hands in his dark wash jean pockets. "You too. It's nice to see you in things other than khakis and polos."

I pull on my miniskirt with a chuckle. "I couldn't have said it better myself." With that, I close the door behind me.

We get into the car and Tad quickly introduces me to Elle, his girlfriend, who looks more like a model from NYC than anything else.

Elle is friendly, like most Ohioans are, and makes me feel welcome almost instantly. She dove into stories about the two of them. She talked almost a million miles an hour, making it hard to focus until Tad spoke up.

"This party is going to be great," Tad says as he turns left at an intersection. "Too be honest, I didn't think you would actually come."

I didn't think I would come either. But here I am, hoping that it won't be a terrible mistake. The only goal tonight is to see how these players interact with others.

Tad parks on the street close to a house that has a fair amount playing beer pong on a makeshift plyboard table in the front lawn.

An uneasy feeling sits with me, forming a lump in my stomach as I stare at the house. There are so many people. I thought it would just the team. Maybe I did make a mistake. I try swallow my fear as I wipe my wet and sticky hands on my skirt then straighten out my blouse. Parties are outside of comfort zone, let alone a football party with tons of people I don't know.

"Nora, come on!" Tad calls to me from the sidewalk.

I didn't realize he left me in the car.

With a deep breath, I scurry out of the vehicle the follow him and his girlfriend to a group playing beer pong in the front lawn. Some I recognize, some I don't.

"Hey, didn't think you would come, Nora," Shelly says with a smile as he throws a ball into a cup. He turns to the other players and says, "See that, she did show up! I told you she would!"

"Ope! Looks like we owe you $10," another player says as he pulls out his wallet from his pocket.

Shelly points to each one of them and smirks. "Each."

The players frown as Shelly turns to me again. "This will help pay for my tab with your dad. I'm happy to see you here."

That comment ease a little bit of my fears. But if I am an item for betting, I wondered what else they have said about me. It makes my hands feel even clammier. I want to melt away, but if I want to know the players I need to stay. Just one hour. That is all I need to study them. I can do one hour.

"I thought I would show my face." I smile at him, trying to seem calm. I hope it worked.

"Glad you did. There're drinks inside. Help yourself." He points towards the open front door.

I nod as I walk into the house with Tad and Elle. I try not to bump shoulders with anyone but it is hard when the room is packed.

"Look how popular you are." Tad grins. "It took them months to learn my name."

"I'm not popular. I'm just the coach's daughter, it's different."

"Hey, Nora, it's great to see you!" a player named Cody says as he walks down the stairs. He pats my shoulder before turning down the hall.

"Hey Tad, come here. I have something to show you," one girl says as she waves him over.

"Ah, that's the cheer captain." Tad thumbs over towards her. "Want to say hi?"

I'm sure she is nice but there are more important people to get to know at this party and I don't want to waste any time. Sooner I did my job, sooner I could get out of here. "I'll say hi during the first match."

He nods. "Safe bet. She's a little much to handle sometimes. But it's never a dull moment with her."

"Tad, I heard that!" she pouts.

"Sorry Keely," he shouts, then turns to me. "I should talk to her. Are you fine on your own?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Hopefully.

"Cool." With that, he leaves me to talk to Keely.

Slowly, I wander through the house as I try to find a place to get a drink of water. I hope that will make my mouth feel less dry.

I make my way into the back living room and see Everett sitting on the couch with a girl on his lap. He looks cozy, sipping something from a red plastic cup. She looks at me then whispers something in his ear. It makes him chuckle. He locks eyes with me, staring for a long second, then finally turns back to the girl and whispers something to her, making her laugh.

My cheeks feel hot. If I knew I would be the focal point of the jokes, I would have skipped this. I glare at him.

He shouldn't have so much control over my feelings, but he does, and I hate it. I hate how he makes me feel so little. So insecure. So incapable.

"Hey it's Nora!" Rick cheers as he gets up from the couch and greets me. His breath smells like strong liquor and, as he holds me tight, I want out of his embrace. "Let me get you something," he says and walks off.

"How are you enjoying the party?" a team member named Kelly asks.

Under the dim lights and musty smells, it is probably the worst place I've been. There is nothing more that I want than to leave. "It's good. Having the time of my life."

Let's just hope he's drunk enough to not see through my lie.

He beams. Thank goodness. Rick comes back and hands me a cup of some clear liquid.

I smile at them. "I'm ready to have fun tonight. Who needs a date with a couch and a book anyhow?" I ask as thrust the cup above my head.

The room cheers, giving me the courage to down whatever is in the cup. I doubt it's water. I place the cup on my lips, ready to down it but Everett thwarts my plans. He gets up from his seat and takes my drink from my hand.

I scowl at him as the crowd falls silent. My heart starts to race as I look up at him. What is he thinking? "Hey, I was going to drink that."

He shakes his head. "No, you weren't," he says as he dumps the contents into a dying potted plant.

No one utters a word which adds to my stress. I bite my lip, fighting back tears that want to come. My hands turn sticky once again. I can feel all eyes on us, waiting for the next move. My dry mouth does not help as I try to figure out something to say.

"You aren't the boss of me," I say, although it barely comes out as a whisper.

He gives a tired sigh then pulls me to a nearly empty hall.

In the privacy of the dimly lit hall, he frowns as if not wanting me to be here. As if I am an inconvenience. "What are you doing here?"

I blink tears from my eyes. I don't know if it is because of sadness or embarrassment. My body shakes as I try to control myself.

"So why are you here?"

My hands clench into fists. He infuriates me. What kind of question is that? He is the one that invited me. He made me feel like he wanted me here. But it is clear he just wanted to make me look like a fool.

"You invited me," I seethe.

He looks around us as a few of his teammates come closer to hear our conversation. "Piss off," he shouts to them then turns back to me, meeting my eyes. "I was just being nice; I didn't actually mean for you to come."

His words are harsh. They feel like a slap to the face. I bite my tongue for a second and take a step back. It's like he enjoys making me feel worthless, pathetic, just like he makes everyone else on the team feel.

I cannot stop tears from falling as a group forms around us.

"Oh Everett, you made the coach's daughter cry. This is going to send you to the doghouse for sure," one says with a chuckle.

"Do you think I give a shit?" he roars, giving me enough distraction to slip away without making more of a scene.

I weave around people as fast as I can until I am outside in the fresh, late summer air. I sniffle as I wipe the tears from my cheeks.

I shake my hands to ease my nerves. I feel jittery. I cannot catch my breath. My heart is racing. How did I ever think this could be fun? Of course, he just invited me to pick on me, just like he does with Tad and so many others. I should have known he didn't care about me.

I walk down the sidewalk taking deep breaths. There is no way I can stay here any longer. I have to get out. This party is not for me.

"Hey, Nora, what are you doing?" Tad's voice rings out.

I turn to face Tad and notice a hickey on the side of his neck. We are here for a mere 30 minutes. I wonder who gave it to him. But the curiosity quickly flies from my mind as I wipe tears away. "I'm going home. This was a mistake."

His smile slides down his face as he approaches me. Quietly, he grabs ahold of my hands then brings me into an embrace. "Hey, calm down. Breathe," he says calmly.

I choke back a sob as I grip onto him, burring my head into his shoulder. "Everett just made me look like nothing in there. Tad, I don't want to breathe. I just want to leave."

Tad lets go. "Ok, I'll take you."

"But your girlfriend..."

Tad looks over as she giggles with some player I barely recognized. "Ironically, I hooked up with him last month. She'll be fine." He takes the keys from his pocket.

___________

As we drove home, I stare out the window, trying to pull myself together before I return home.

"Everett is a dick," I state finally.

Tad nods. He knows this all too well. "Yeah, he is. Isn't he?"

"I hate him."

He chuckles. "You aren't the only one."

Once again, we are silent. So much for learning more about the team. Maybe I will never know them, especially if Everett is around.

"I don't know what Everett did, and you don't have to tell me. But don't let this ruin your ideas of parties. They can still be fun."

I frown as my stomach feels queasy. I am not sure if I believe him.