Win or Lose by Alex Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

the very tips of his fingers.
    â€œWhat does he have, trampolines in his cleats?” Emma wondered. Even though we were rooting for Kentville, we all couldn’t help but be impressed.
    I spotted Cody and his teammate Michael using short passes to carry the ball down the field.
    â€œJust watch!”Jessi said, grabbing my arm. “Cody’s got this!”
    Steven hung back, sneaking up as he tried not to draw the attention of the Rams. Cody spotted him and sent the ball flying his way, just as a Ram swooped in to intercept. The shot went wide. Steven dove for it, and managed to connect. His hard kick went high, sailing toward the goal. But once again the Rams goalie made what looked like an impossible jump and batted the ball back.
    The Rams fans cheered, while we groaned. A few minutes later one of the Rams scored, and the crowd went wild. The momentum was firmly on the Rams side now.
    I had to hand it to the Kangaroos. They didn’t back down, even though the tide had turned. Our defense tightened up, and not another goal got through, but the Kangaroos couldn’t make any headway on scoring themselves. The game ended 1–0, Rams. The boys’ play-off dreams were over.
    â€œPoor Cody!” Jessi dug her fingers into my arm. “He must be so upset!”
    â€œI’m pretty sure they all are,” Frida reminded her. “They’re a team, remember?”
    I let out a big sigh. I felt bad for all of the Kangaroos, but I knew where Jessi was coming from. I could only imagine how Steven was feeling right now. If we had lost our play-off game to the Tigers, I would have been totally bummed out.
    â€œLet’s go say hi,”Emma suggested. “Maybe we can cheer them up.”
    â€œGood idea!” Jessi jumped to her feet, and we followed the crowd down the stairs and to the field.
    Some of the Kangaroos were already heading out with their families, but Steven and Cody were huddled together on the sideline, talking.
    â€œHey,” Jessi said. “Great game. You guys really toughed it out. Sorry it ended the way it did.”
    â€œI thought your one kick was a goal for sure,” I told Steven. “That was some save the Rams goalie made.”
    â€œYeah,” Steven mumbled without even looking at me. “You ready, dude?” he said to Cody. Cody nodded.
    â€œLet’s go,” Cody said, and together they walked off without saying another word to us.
    I looked at Jessi and saw the hurt, confused look in her eyes. I might as well have been looking in the mirror, because I knew the same expression was on my own face. I knew Steven and Cody were just upset about their loss, but their reaction stung anyway.

    â€œHi, Devin!” Kara’s big blue eyes were glowing with happiness when I logged in for our video chat later that afternoon. I didn’t even have to ask.
    â€œThe Cosmos won!” I cried happily.
    Kara nodded. “We sure did! Four to two! How did you guys do?”
    â€œWe won too,” Itold her. But she read my tampered enthusiasm right away.
    Kara frowned. “What’s up, Devin? You sounded more excited about the Cosmos winning.”
    I sighed. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m so totally excited that we won.” I paused, not even sure where to begin. I hadn’t told Kara the story about the newspaper article because I’d been so sure it was going to blow over. But now I told her everything.
    â€œThey called you a ball hog and told the other girls not to pass to you!” Kara exclaimed. She made this frowny, mad face that she’d been making since preschool. The first time I saw her make it was when the teacher gave her graham crackers instead of animal crackers for a snack. I laughed so hard, milk squirted out of my nose. It just looked that silly. And it has made me laugh ever since. But thankfully I didn’t squirt milk out of my nose anymore. That was not a good look for me.
    I let out a long