NICO
My hands tightened around his shoulders, locking up as the air left my lungs. Hearing my coach say those words felt like a physical blow, a sudden tear right through my chest.
Beside me, Jace grinned from ear to ear. The sight of his smug face made my blood run hot.
"Okay, I will be off now," Coach Timothy announced, giving Jace a casual pat on the shoulder.
Just like that, his attention shifted entirely away from me. A knot of resentment twisted in my stomach. This weakling couldn't possibly take my place.
Coach turned back to me with a dismissive nod. "Pick a date and inform all the eighteen players about the new teachings we will be practicing on." He walked away without waiting for an answer, leaving his words hanging in the air.
I spun toward Jace, who was still smiling lik
