Black Leather Jackets: College Bound

Tryouts

Cheryl's POV
"There's my favourite red head," Toni says walking into the kitchen
"Awe thanks babe," I laugh
"I was talking to Lexi," she laughs kissing her on the top of the head "I'll see you later baby, wanna meet at Pops,"
"Sure babe, 4:30 right?"
"Ya, I'll see you then,"
She has her last tryout for Riverdale High today so I know she's stressed.
"I love you Toni,"
"I love you too baby," she says "love you Lexi,"
She leaves and I clean and do a few things around the house.
"Hey baby wanna walk around? You haven't gotten a lot of exercise today," I say taking her out of her high chair
"Find mama?" She asks
"I mean we probably could walk to the fields. It's a long walk though,"
"With Reggee?"
"Yes Reggie is there too,"
"Yay!"
I put her shoes on and try to put her in the stroller
"No Mama," she says jumping
"You wanna walk baby?"
She nods and I laugh
I hold her hand and we walk to the football fields.
"Mama!" She says seeing Toni on the other side of the field
"Yeah mama's over there," I laugh "and Reggie,"
"Reggee?"
"Reggie's beside her sweetheart,"
I pick her up and sit down waiting for the tryout to finish.
It finishes and all the players go into the changeroom.
"Mama down!" She says as I start walking
It's only grass so I put her down and she "runs" towards Toni. She hasn't seen us so her back is turned to her and she's talking to RJ, Reggie, Ty, the twins and Mox.
After falling a few times, Lex gets to Toni and grabs her good leg.
"Oh hi baby," Toni laughs bending down to pick her up "where did you come from?"
"She was restless so we walked all the way here, right girlie?"
"She actually walked?"
"Yep,"
"Good job baby," Toni says kissing her cheek
"Mama down?"
Toni puts her down and she starts walking away. Toni goes to say something
"Babe let her walk around, tire her out,"
She nods and they start talking about tryouts and who they're cutting.
I look around for Lex and she's by the football bag. Curiously she looks in the bag and pulls out a football.
"Topaz look at your kid," Mox says noticing too
They all look over and Lex lifts the ball and throws it. It doesn't go far but Lex smiles and goes to get it. She looks over and sees everyone looking at her so she clumsily walks over to Toni.
"Mama, baw?"
Toni laughs and takes the ball and throws it back.
"No, Reggee," she says hitting the ball back at Toni
They decide to keep talking at Pops and Toni puts the balls away.
"Mama baw!" Lexi says
"Baby, we have a ball at home?"
"That baw?"
"Yes sweetheart,"
She cheers up and we walk to Pops.
They talk and create lineups while Lexi and I eat.
"You're the RHS coaching staff right?" A large man asks
"Yes sir," Toni says "Is there a problem?"
"Why the hell did you cut my son?" He asks
Toni stands up and tries to calm him down.
"What's your son's name?" She asks
"Callum," he says
"We had 3 Callum's tryout, what's your last name?"
"Trew,"
Toni looks through her notes and finds him
"Okay, I found him," she says "would you like to take a seat?"
They sit across the aisle with Toni's notes.
"I talked to Cal after I cut him because it was one of the tougher decisions we made. The staff was split and it was solely my decision but to offer him a position this fall,"
"But he was top of summer league,"
"Lots of players don't play summer league. I'll tell you the same 3 things I told Cal. if he gets a little faster, his legs gain more muscle, and he doesn't shy away from tackles- he will be a starter on my roster next season," she says "but as of now he wouldn't play,"
"This is ridiculous- he's the fastest damn kid at that school!"
"But he's scared of getting hit and it slows him down. The other big thing that made me cut him was a homophobic remark made in the locker room to another player. I talked to Cal who admitted to saying it, but I know he's a good kid and he was remorseful about the remark. I won't hold it against him for next season, but for reported instances of homophobia or racism in the league it Carrie a hefty, hefty suspension. He'd have to sit the entire season and it would get out to scouts that he had said this, which ultimately kill his chances at getting a scholarship. This way will protect his future and his reputation, he's young. I didn't start playing until I was a junior, with hard work he can still achieve whatever his dreams are,"
"Not everyone is you,"
"Anyone can be me, maybe not the media I got but I'm not a legacy or a born football superstar. I worked hard, that's all he has to do,"
They talk for a couple more minutes and he leaves.
"Topaz you didn't have to tell him it was only you,"
"It's easier one on one, coach said isolating the conversation was easier than getting everyone involved,"
They shrug and go back to eating.
"Hey coach Topaz,"
"Hey Greg, What's up?" Toni asks
"I'm waiting with my mom for takeout and she said itd be rude not to say hi,"
He says hi to the rest of the guys and walks away.
"Mama, baw?" Lexi asks reaching over the table to Toni
"Baby we'll play with the ball later,"
"Cheryl I think you might have a football player," Austen teases
"Don't get me started," I sigh
"Mama Mama baw!" She demands looking at me
"Later baby," I laugh kissing her cheek
"You guys should get a ping pong table so that we can play again," Will says
"Why us?"
"Largest house,"
I shrug and agree.
"Ya babe can we?" Toni asks
"What do you think buggy? Do you wanna get a ping pong table?" I ask standing her up on my legs facing me
"Baw?" She asks
We all laugh and I kiss her cheek.
"You're funny sweetheart,"