Page 79
I look in the mirror. There was a time I hated these colors. I look good in them now. I can do this. I can lead my team to victory.
“Hey, cap,” Rebecca says, coming to stand next to me. “You ready for this?”
I grin. “Hell yeah. Are you?”
“Absolutely.” Her jaw sets. “He’s going to be sitting on that bench for ninety minutes, watching me. Let’s give him something to watch. Let’s kick some ass.”
I nod, and we do a fist-bump before turning to face the rest of the team. They’re all looking confident and focused. Raul hasn’t come in yet to give us a pep talk, but I have the sudden need to say a few words myself.
“Girls,” I say, getting their attention. “This is it. The LA Derby and Heritage Night, the match we’ve been waiting for. This is our chance to show them who we are and what we can do. We’ve fought against each other and then finally, for each other, and we’ve grown together. And today, we’re going to show the world that we’re real contenders for the title. That we’re here to stay, and we’re going to take what’s ours.”
They cheer, and the sound goes straight through me.
“I’m sure you’re all aware that before the match starts, we have to bear witness to the unveiling ceremony,” I say, cringing. “Please don’t hold it against me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Daisy says. “It’s not like we forgot where you came from, Golden Girl.”
A couple of months ago, I’d have taken that as a jab. But now, knowing that she’s teasing me, I grin. “Damn right you won’t. Because I’m going to be the one who leads us to victory today and rubs it in their faces.”
They laugh, and I laugh with them. God, I love this team.
“Let’s do this,” I say. “For ourselves. For our club. For each other.”
They shout their agreement.
“I love seeing you so pumped up,” Raul says, entering the room. “I came here to give you a speech, but your captain already took care of that. I know it’s going to be a tough match, but we have what it takes to win. I trust you. Now go out there and show them why we’re called the Breakers.”
We follow him out of the locker room and into the tunnel. We line up, wait for our cue. The music is so loud I can feel it in my chest. Adrenaline pumps through my veins.
But first, they’re putting the unveiling ceremony on the screens for the entire stadium to see. The teams line up on the sidelines and I stand next to Valentina.
She laces her fingers through mine, and when she looks at me, her eyes are full of fire.
“You got this, Lexa Delvaux,” she whispers in my ear.
I smile and squeeze her hand back. “Thanks. I’m actually itching to get out there.”
The screen shows the entrance to the stadium and my Dad. He’s in a suit and tie, looking serious.
He walks in front of the statue, which is covered by a large cloth. He stops and turns to face the cameras. He speaks into the microphone handed to him.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Heritage Night, and the unveiling of the statue made in my honor. I’m humbled by this recognition, and I want to thank the Apex Predators, the fans, and the league for this tribute.
“This statue is not just a symbol of my achievements, but also of the achievements of everyone who has been a part of the Scarlet Tide and now the Apex Predators. It represents the spirit that made this club great. I’m proud to have been your founder and your owner. And I hope that this statue will inspire the next generation of players and fans to keep the legacy alive.”
He says Scarlet Tide like it’s a loved one’s name, and Apex Predators like it’s a line someone just handed him in the car.
He gestures to the cloth, which falls down, revealing the statue. It’s a realistic bronze figure of Dad, holding a ball, with a confident smile on his face.
They got his chin and the smile he saves for cameras right. The crowd cheers and claps, and some even chant his name. He’s all smiles as he waves to them, basking in the glory.
But I just want this to be over.
“Alright, ladies,” Raul says, clapping his hands. “Time to get out there.”
We jog to the field, and the noise gets louder. The Predators are already warming up.
I spot my old teammates and wave, but only a few of them wave back. There’s no warmth in their eyes. I wonder if they blame me for what’s going on with Declan as well.
