Split Decision by Belle Payton Read Free Book Online Page B

Tamara. Why did that keep happening?
    â€œRide your talent, Little Sackett,” PJ advised. “Play the game, don’t let the game play you.”
    â€œHey! That’s one of Coach’s sayings.” She whirled to face him.
    â€œI know.” PJ grinned again. “I like borrowing them. Your dad has some great ones.” PJ then reeled off a few of Coach’s other favorites.
    Ava found herself nodding. “I’ve been hearing them my whole life and I still like them.”
    â€œYou’re lucky,” PJ said. “Your dad is truly great at what he does.”
    â€œThanks. I think so too,” Ava agreed. She was surprised that PJ felt this way. “Do you want to coach someday? Is that why you’re coaching us?”
    â€œI never really considered it, but yeah, maybe someday after I’m done playing and all that.” PJ sighed. “It’s scary to think that far ahead.”
    â€œYou’d be a good coach.” Ava couldn’t believe she was being nice to PJ Kelly.
    â€œReally? That means a lot coming from you,” PJ said. “I guess it was a good thing that my aunt forced me to do this.”
    â€œTamara’s mom?” Ava asked.
    â€œYeah. She my dad’s sister. She thought it would be a good idea,” PJ confided. “You know, for college applications and—”
    Before he could finish, the final whistle blew and Tamara stormed over. “What are you saying to her?”
    â€œNo worries, Tam,” PJ said. “Just coaching a bit.” He winked at Ava.
    â€œYou’re supposed to be helping me, not Ava. That’s why Mom pulled strings to make you our assistant coach,” Tamara protested.
    â€œI can help both of you,” PJ insisted. “In fact, the two of you need to—”
    â€œPJ!” Tamara’s voice was so loud, several girls on their team turned to them with interest. “It doesn’t work like that.”
    â€œI’m aware, Tam, of how it works.” PJ looked from Ava to Tamara and then up into the stands at Mrs. Baker. He sighed. “You want my advice? Just play the game.”

CHAPTER
SIX
    â€œMom!” Ava caught sight of her mom as she emerged from the locker room after the game. She ran to her and hugged her. If she hadn’t been in the school hallway, she would have wrapped her legs around her mother in the full-body hug she’d done when she was little. “I missed you. You were gone forever!”
    Laura Sackett laughed. “Only a week, honey. But yes, it felt like a long time.”
    As they drove back home, Mrs. Sackett told her about the other artists she’d met at the retreat, and Ava filled her in on her tense return to the basketball team.
    â€œThat’s not good timing,” Mrs. Sackettmurmured, adjusting her sunglasses from the Texas glare.
    â€œWhat’s not?” Ava had explained all her fouls and Tamara’s bad attitude. PJ’s deception remained her and Alex’s secret.
    â€œAn interview with your father came out today on TexasHighSports.” Mrs. Sackett chewed her lip worriedly.
    â€œCoach talked to them on the phone the other night,” Ava said.
    â€œYeah, well, whatever he was trying to say didn’t come across or they misinterpreted it. It’s not good,” she said.
    Ava quickly pulled up the site on her phone. At the top of the page, a bold headline screamed:
    WHERE HAVE ALL THE PLAYERS GONE?
    SACKETT BRUSHES OFF INJURIES
    Coach Michael Sackett of the State Championship Ashland Tigers should be riding high this spring with his young, talented team, yet we have received reports that practices are lackluster at best. Sackett finds himself with a roster that’s severelydepleted by injuries. Football is dangerous, even at the high school level, and will never be injury free. However, the Ashland players “are dropping like flies,” according to one anonymous Ashland fan.