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[attr="class","text"]The sun had slowly started to sink by the time coach blew the whistle to end practice. Dark wasn’t falling fast, but it was just enough to turn the sky a hazier shade of gold. Turning away from the net he’d been headed for, Lam jogged back toward the benches where the rest of the team had gathered for any closing remarks before their next practice. Despite feeling out of breath, he didn’t scramble for the water cooler or the water bottle in his bag just yet. No doubt expecting to be chided for not paying attention if he did.[break][break]

His fingers laced together and rested on top of his head as he tried to slow his breathing. The studs on his shoes sink into the grass as he rocked on his heels. They’d been run a bit ragged that day, for sure. It made sense—play-offs were fast approaching, and they were supposed to be in tip top shape. Even the second string who sat bench more often than not were being pressed more to have precise aim and good passes when navigating the field.[break][break]

Across the gaggle of other teammates, his glance connected with Rook’s, who was no doubt feeling the burn of being put to work more than was typical. The smallest of smiles tugged at the corners of Lam’s mouth. Almost shy, but still playful before he bit down on his bottom lip to quell it somewhat.[break][break]

“Logan.” His attention shifted reluctantly away from making eyes at the other to look at their coach. “You’re on clean up. Make sure you remember to actually lock the shed this time.” A sheepish laugh muddled his words as he agreed. Key player or not, there was no avoiding the fact that he could be forgetful as hell if it didn’t involve movement up and down the playing field, or mentally working out offensive strategies at the slightest shift in gameplay.[break][break]

Even the admonishment did little to set him back, though. As the team was dismissed and everyone broke up to grab their bags and go home after a long day of school with practice on top of that, he drew toward Rook instead. “Coach was sorta tough on you today,” he commented quietly as he peeled the clingy fabric of his practice jersey away from his skin before letting it fall. “You kept up well, though!”[break][break]

Reaching for the netted ball bag on the bench, he jerked his head out toward where a litany of soccer balls were scattered across the field. “Wanna play some more when I’m done? Just us?” The way his smile returned, and the particular twist of it betrayed the fact that this was his plan to get more time with Rook. That he was not so subtle in angling to spend every moment possible with him. Maybe it wouldn’t be as fun today, because he was pretty beat too. But it was way better than sitting at a table as Rook tried to explain algebra to him…again.

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[attr="class","credit"]MADE BY GUNSMILE