Header (Bardley FC Soccer Romance #1)

Chapter 2

Two

“Y ou can wait right there,” Ms. Allie told him.

Chance took his seat and looked around. Ms. Allie was a younger woman that worked as the secretary for Sam Harrison, the owner of Bardley FC. She was always just this side of nice to him as though it killed her to be kind.

Only with him though, not with any of the other players that he’d seen her talk to. Then again, he spent the most time up here waiting for disciplinary actions. She must just be protective of her boss or something.

He sighed and stared at the painting on the wall across from him. It was some abstract thing with soccer balls in varying colors. It was weird and he didn’t understand the purpose of it other than because this was soccer he guessed.

“He will see you now,” Ms. Allie told him.

Chase stood and let himself through the heavy wooden door and into Sam’s office. Derek Park, the team coach was in there as well. That was his first clue that this wasn’t going to go the same as every other time.

“Take a seat, Chance,” Sam told him.

He did but the other men remained standing.

Sam stared out the window even as he began to talk. “We cannot have you continuing to behave like that on the pitch. It doesn’t said good examples for our fans or the other players.” Sam was in his mid-thirties, the FC was inherited from his father, but he was a good owner as far as Chance was concerned.

He was fit, but not a ball player. Maddox had told him that Sam wanted to play but didn’t have what it takes. Chance wasn’t sure if that was all true or not, but he kept up on his fitness regardless of what his ambitions were or are.

“Not to mention everytime you go too far you leave the whole team without an eleventh man on the field,” Derek complained.

Derek was by far the oldest in the room, but he was still fit as well. He’d run drills with them now and then and while Chance hadn’t liked the man at first, he’d learned to like him after seeing him coach. Derek cared for his team and the players and it showed in how he treated everyone.

Chance knew what he meant, though. When he got a red card, the team had to play a man down which left them short on the field and ruined some of the plays they worked on.

“We’ve had this conversation many times before,” Sam continued.

Chance struggled not to shift in his seat. He hoped this wasn’t it for him with Bardley. It was the first time in this office that he’d had that thought and his heart raced at the concept.

“I’m not willing to let you go just yet, but that doesn’t mean I won’t do what’s best for me and the team.” Sam went behind his desk and took a seat.

Sitting was good, Chance thought. He nodded his acknowledgment.

“However, I can’t let this keep happening. You are done for the season. I want you away from the team for a few weeks but then you can come back and start using the gym if you want. You need to take the time before conditioning begins for next season to consider what it is that you want.” Sam told him.

Chance struggled to breath as he palms grew slick on the arms of the chairs. He wasn’t going to be able to play anymore this season.

“There are only a few games left and I am not officially suspending you. Take the time to get reacquainted with why you play this game and clean up your image.” Sam drummed his fingers on his desk as he spoke.

“I called around, Chance, and I’ll be honest with you. Not many teams are willing to take a hot head like you on. The teams and the fans want players that don’t argue with the ref constantly and get into full-on fist fights on the field.”

Blood roared in his ears as he tried to process this news. “H-How long do I have to find a place?” Chance asked.

“I have a place for you, already. See that you don’t destroy it. You can move in today or tomorrow, but I want you out by Thursday before the next match,” Sam told him. “There’s a house over in Beacon that I rented and it’s yours until conditioning begins. It’s not too far to go to the gym here if you choose, but I need you removed from the rest of the players’ everyday activities so they can learn to be a team without you.” Sam held out a set of keys for him.

“Thank you,” Chance muttered as he took them.

“Take this as an opportunity, son,” Derek told him. “We don’t want to lose you but this is your last chance here with us.”

Chance nodded.

“You are dismissed. I will let the team know at practice, so keep this to yourself until tomorrow. Remind Maddox of the same,” Derek told him, already knowing Chance was going to tell Maddox, his best friend and Bardley’s best midfielder.

“Thank you both.” Chance stood and let himself out of the office, closing the door behind him.

Ms. Allie threw him a look but didn’t say anything. She would have known what was happening in there, probably knew yesterday what the plan would be.

In the elevator, Chance pulled out his phone and dialed Maddox.

“How’d it go?” Maddox answered.

“Not well,” Chance admitted. “Meet me for lunch. Just us.”

“Shit,” Maddox mumbled. “I’ll meet you in the parking lot. I’m driving.”

Chance ended the call. He was screwed was all he could think as the elevator continued to the bottom floor.

He walked out and straight to the parking lot, ignoring everyone that might have tried to speak to him. He wasn’t good company right now.

“Get in,” Maddox said as Chance neared his car.

“I am,” Chance bit out.

He did and they drove to the team house. No one was there during the day unless someone was sick, everyone would be back at the gym, even if they weren’t required.

“So what the hell happened?” Maddox asked as they walked in.

“I am unofficially suspended for the rest of the season. Sam gave me a place to rent in the suburbs and basically told me to get my shit straight before next season or I’m off the team.”

Maddox let out a long whistle. “Fuck, man.”

Chance agreed. The fight hadn’t even been worth it. He was tired of getting pushed around by that other team and the ref not doing anything about it. The last time it happened, Chance decided he would do something about it.

That something was a black eye for the other player, which led to Chance getting a red card and being kicked out of the game. It was dumb.

“You got a plan?” Maddox asked.

Chance shook his head. “Just happened. Haven’t wrapped my head around it yet.”

“Well, you’re about to be living in the suburbs so I guess you’ll have plenty of time to think about it,” Maddox joked.

“I’ve got to get packing,” Chance said.

“It’s a good sign that they didn’t just fire you. Sam even giving you a place to stay is good news. They clearly just want you to get your shit together.”

Chance shrugged. “Yeah.” Except it was clear they thought he brought the whole team down.

“Just think it over. All you’ve got to do is not start a fight.”

“Easier said than done,” Chance said.

“Come on.” Maddox started for the stairs. “I’ll help you pack for your domestication.”

Chance rolled his eyes. At 28 he wasn’t quite ready for the domestic period of his life, not sure he ever would be. Now he was being forced away from the thing he did love and needed to find a way to deal with it.

“Come out with us this weekend, still?” Maddox asked as he started grabbing suitcases and throwing them on Chance’s bed.

“I doubt I’m allowed to,” Chance admitted.

“Let me talk to the coach. We already planned this night for Ian’s birthday, so I don’t think it’s fair to make you miss out. He’ll let you come.”

Chance doubted it. “Fine, if Derek says it’s okay, then I will, but only if I hear it from him.”

“You think I would trick you?” Maddox put a hand over his heart. “I’m deeply offended.” He faked shock.

Maddox was the jokester of the team, and always had something witty to say or do. Usually, it wasn’t annoying, but today he wasn’t in the mood for it.

“I’ll take care of this. Tell Derek to call me if it’s okay. If I don’t hear from him then I won’t be there.”

“Get you a dog or something,” Maddox said out of nowhere.

“What?”

“You know, so you don’t get lonely without me,” Maddox winked and walked off.