Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 163209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 816(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 816(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
“Clever, wasn’t it?” Jeremy asked. “She confirmed Jean’s injuries were worse than reported and that Edgar Allan’s board knew about it without outright accusing anyone of anything.”
“The Foxes are sharper than they let on,” Xavier agreed. Mention of the Foxes had them picking up the pace. Xavier got the door for them and said, “Maybe Coach will have heard something by now?”
But Rhemann shook his head as soon as Jeremy made eye contact, so Jeremy had no choice but to put the team from mind. His Trojans needed him present and focused. If he couldn’t be an anchor for them, what good was he? He put everything he had into warmups and drills, and Xavier and Cody were quick to follow his lead. The three did their level best to keep the Trojans occupied and distracted until first serve. Only when the crowd was chanting a final countdown did Jeremy let his attention fracture again, and he looked for Rhemann.
Rhemann had spent most of the last hour on his phone, fielding calls and texts from colleagues who’d seen the Ravens’ ambush and wanted to hash it out. Surely somewhere in there was a real update from Palmetto State. Jeremy glanced toward Jean, who was sitting blank-faced and silent on the Away bench like he didn’t know a game was happening in front of him. He dug around for something reassuring to say and came back emptyhanded; Jean wasn’t the type to take comfort in hollow promises.
A worthy distraction came when Rhemann made his first set of subs: Lucas, Min, and Ananya went in for Ashton, Sebastian, and Jesus. Jeremy went to them as they filed off the court. They looked tired and stressed, uncertain how to feel about their performance, but Jeremy was happy to praise the parts they’d done well. Most of the rest would sort itself out, as their weakest spots were due to inexperience and age. He was proud of them, and watching their giddiness return in the wake of his easy compliments and encouragement helped chase the lingering grief from his thoughts.
Thirty minutes into first half, Rhemann got a call serious enough he collected his coaches to his side afterward. The four stepped out of earshot of the bench to talk. From here Jeremy could only see Lisinski’s face, and the look that crossed it pulled his stomach into a tight knot. Jimenez’s hands moved in emphatic, angry gestures as he made his opinion known. Rhemann shook his head through most of it, but even from here Jeremy could see the tense set to his shoulders. Finally he dismissed his colleagues, but White and Lisinski moved together toward the court wall. Jimenez remained, but his heavy stare settled on the back of Jean’s head.
Rhemann called for him, and Jean went to them immediately. Whatever Rhemann said to him, it landed like a physical blow: Jean lurched back from him, one gloved hand locked on the front of his own jersey. Rhemann tipped his head toward Jimenez, who motioned for Jean to follow, and the two men started for the locker room. Rhemann watched them go, expression serious, and noticed Jeremy watching him only after they’d disappeared. He finally joined his team at the benches, but all he had to say was,
“We don’t have news from Palmetto State yet,” Rhemann said. “Let’s focus up.”
It was and wasn’t reassuring; if it wasn’t the Foxes’ injuries that drove Jean from sight, this development had to do with the Ravens. That was worrisome, but not as personal, so Jeremy forced his attention back to the game. At last the buzzer sounded to release both teams to the locker room. White and Lisinski ran interference for the reporters who approached for a halftime interview, urging them to keep their distance from the team. That was unusual enough that Jeremy picked up the pace, and he managed to pass half a dozen teammates in his hurry to reach the locker room.
Jean was nowhere to be seen, but Rhemann’s lingering look warned Jeremy not to hunt him down. Tony and Bobby were quick to pass out drinks while the Trojans stretched. Rhemann waited until they’d stepped aside before moving toward the center of the room.
“We have a lot we need to cover, and only so much time,” he said, checking his watch. “This is not where I would prefer to start, but I don’t want it to be the last thing you hear before we return to the court for second half.”
He swept the room with a look as his Trojans went still to hear him better. “The ERC reviewed the match between Palmetto State and Edgar Allan. After speaking to all involved parties, they’ve made a ruling: Coach Rossi is stepping down effective immediately, and the Ravens have been suspended for the remainder of the season.”