Chapter 28

There were days that Xander felt helped define him: days that were meaningful, days that mattered because he sensed something extraordinary was about to happen. Then there were the days in between, like this one: dull, ordinary, nice, slice-of-life days. Even though this day, of all days, should have been momentous, Xander worried that fate was against him.

West Fork was playing the last game of their regular season that night against Mansfield. If they won, they could go to state if everything fell into place. Their two in-conference losses put them on the bubble. Even if they won, they needed help to make the playoffs.

The problem was that Xander knew it wouldn’t happen because he remembered other teams were destined to make it to state that year. He’d found that while he could change the outcome of things he was directly involved in, little outside of his reach changed.

What got him down was his personal life. He found Angelica wasn’t what he was looking for in terms of a relationship. While they were still in the honeymoon phase of their connection, having sex two to three times a day, he found her ... boring. She wasn’t the sharpest tack in the drawer and never wanted to do anything. If someone ever needed to touch some grass, it was her.

That wasn’t Xander; he wasn’t someone glued to their device 24/7. He was a doer who always found something to keep him busy, while Angelica preferred to stay at home.

An excellent example of how they differed was that night’s after-game party. Angelica said she would attend Xander’s game to support him, but didn’t feel like going out afterward. He’d discovered she’d only gone to previous parties with him because she felt obligated.

He’d just finished a light early-morning workout when he found Angelica waiting at his locker, which the cheerleaders had decorated for the game. All the guys wore their game jerseys, and he noted Angelica wore his letterman jacket. She did like the status and the attention she got from dating the sophomore football star.

“I wanted to ask if it would be okay if I bailed on the game tonight.”

“Sounds like you have a better offer,” Xander said, trying to find out why.

“My parents are going to an awards dinner at the University of Arkansas. I guess my dad won something.”

He had no doubt Angelica had known about the event for weeks, but was just now getting around to sharing it with him. He was surprised to realize he wasn’t upset by her announcement.

“It’s important that you support your dad, so go and have a good time,” Xander said.

Angelica looked relieved.

“Thanks, I will. Now let’s go to the assembly.”

Since it was the last game of the season, they were having an assembly during homeroom to recognize the seniors. The seniors would have their families join them on the field before the game while Coach Hammer said a few words. The assembly was a pep rally to fire up the student body before the game.

When they reached the gym, one of the seniors grabbed Xander and told him Coach Hammer wanted him to stand in the wings while the seniors filed out on stage.

He got a front-row seat to watch the cheerleaders do a couple of routines with the help of the pep band, and then Coach Hammer fired up the crowd. He introduced each senior and had a few words to say about each of them.

“Before you return to class, I want to bring up one other player: Xander Thornwood,” Coach Hammer said.

Xander walked onto the stage and waved to the standing, cheering crowd. It was a little embarrassing, if he were honest. He spotted Angelica watching him, beaming with pride.

“I received a call from the conference office, and they shared a little secret: Xander will be the only sophomore on the All-Conference team when it’s announced on Monday!”

If he remembered correctly, that honor was usually reserved for seniors.

Coach Hammer quieted the crowd and added, “I was also told Mr. Thornwood will be named to the All-State team. He’s the first player in West Fork’s history ever to receive that honor!”

The seniors rushed him and began to dance around him. Over the cheers, Coach Hammer cried out, “Come out tonight and support your team! Go Tigers!”

Class was an afterthought after the news announcement. Xander was constantly stopped in the halls and congratulated. He was on his way to lunch when someone grabbed his wrist; it was Peggy.

Once she had him alone, Peggy asked, “Are you going to the after-party?”

“It’s the last one of the year, so I figured it would be fun.”

“Is Angelica going?”

“Her dad won some award, and his banquet is tonight, so no.”

“Are you guys serious?” Peggy asked.

Xander chuckled.

“Is this for your personal information, or did the Princesses send you undercover?”

“You’re a dick sometimes,” Peggy said, then saw him raise his eyebrow and caved. “Okay, the Princesses want to know.”

“Would that have anything to do with the picture I gave you?”