Dixon’s kicked off the team

The next morning, Mark woke up felt like he had been hit by a tram. He groaned as he sat up in his bed, feeling his right eye and the side of his face. This was way worse than any hangover he had ever experienced, he felt like he was in serious pain.

Seeing him wake up was the brunette junior, Cassidy. She was sitting crossed legged on Matt’s bed, watching something on her laptop. He noticed right away that she didn’t have any pants on, a long sleeve white t-shirt going down to her thighs.

She got off the bed and stood by the edge of Mark’s bed, “Oh my, does it hurt as bad as it looks?”

“Fuck, you’re telling me it looks bad then?”

“Oh um, no, I mean… it looks tough I guess, bruised eye, a bit swollen,” she explained before making her way to the door, “Just sit tight, I’m going to get you a ice pack.”

He muttered a quick thanks as his hands rested against his face. For the two minutes that Cassidy was gone for, Mark replayed the memories of the night before. It seemed to happen all so quickly, one minute, Macca was throwing a punch at Dixon, the next he was down on the ground getting the life beaten out of him by his major rival.

It comforted him to remember that Mary had the final say, knocking Dixon out and taking him to what he liked to call her ‘lair’.

Cassidy came running back into the room, shutting the door behind her, carrying an ice pack in her hand. She placed it on his head, the freezing cold pack stung at first, resulting in him trying to resist.

“Uh uh,” she said, holding it firmly against the side of his head, “Trust me, this will help. I’ll get you some painkillers too in a minute.”

Thanking her again, he fought through that initial sting.

“Crazy night huh?” she said, now sitting on the edge of his bed.

He nodded, still tightly pressing the ice pack against his face, “How did you feel about Matt? With the whole confrontation thing?”

Anyone could have caught the hint of a smile on Cassidy’s face, clearly thrilled that Matt didn’t leave without saying anything.

“First time he’s ever stood up for me like that…” she said quietly, “I can’t sit here and pretend it isn’t really special.”

Despite Mark wanting to ignore and avoid any confrontation, he was happy with how it ended and pleased that at least something good came from it.

While they sat there, Mark’s phone was buzzing from the floor, never making it to his bed side table the night before.

“I’ll get it for you,” Cassidy told him, seeing he was going to try and get up himself.

The brunette bent down to pick up the phone, she may not have done it on purpose but Cassidy was giving Mark quite the view from this angle. Underneath her top, all the college junior had on was a dark blue thong. It disappeared in between her butt cheeks which Mark’s eyes had a nice view of.

“Got it,” she then said, standing back up.

“Who’s messaged me?” he asked her.

She read the message to herself as she looked at the name, “It’s Bryce.., he wants you to join him in the locker rooms asap,”

It sounded a little more serious than he would have hoped. Of course it was going to be about the night before, Mark may have just lost his spot on the football team after all this drama.

***

Arriving in the office that was connected to the main locker room, Mark walked inside to see Bryce sitting behind the Coach’s desk, arms folded, staring at the boy in front of him.

“Dear god…” Mark muttered to himself before entering.

Inside was Dixon, on the other side of the desk, looking just as beat up and tired as Mark.

Knowing what had happened to him later that night made him feel a little bit more comfortable and happier. As he met eye contact with Dixon, he averted his eyes, looking back down at the desk. It wasn’t normal for him to do something like that, usually he would lock his eyes on Mark and stare him down.

It was as if it was a quick retreat, something that gave Mark a bit more confidence as he took the empty seat next to him. Sitting in front of Bryce, felt like he was sitting in front of the headmaster at high school, awaiting his punishment.

“Let’s make this quick,” Bryce eventually said, staring daggers back at both boys in front of him, “Not everyone on campus is aware what started this alleged bar fight but I think we can cut all the crap and nail it back to you two. You two have had it out for each other all year and quite frankly, I’m over it.”

Neither Mark or Dixon said a word as Bryce continued, now looking at the latter, “I gave you your last warning and you ignored me so it makes this very easy for me… you’re off the team.”

“But there’s just one game left?” Dixon interjected, “If you kick me off now, I won’t be any chance to make it next season with this on my track record.”

“Hmm interesting… yeah, I don’t give a fuck.”

That set him straight, Dixon looked dejected, his mouth wide open, shocked but knowing he couldn’t change his mind. Mark would have let a smile escape from his lips but he was worried about two things, one being the thought of Dixon going for round two with him, the second being the serious concern that he was about to recover the same treatment.

“You can leave thanks,” Bryce told Dixon.

Mark thought he might go off at him, start smashing walls, throwing punches at Mark or even Bryce. Instead, nothing. He looked stone cold in the face, ignoring Mark completely as he got out of his chair and calmly left the room.

This wasn’t the reaction he was expecting and in a weird way, it was a little more scary. Quietly Dixon removed himself from the office, not another sound from him as he exited their locker rooms.

The attention quickly turned back to Mark with Bryce zoning in on him.

“Am I out too?” he asked him, already a sad look on Mark’s face.

Staring at Mark, it felt like it took an eternity for him to reply back to him. He eventually shook his head, calming his nerves, “What’s my one rule?”

“Uhhh… that if you’re performing well on the field, you don’t mind what’s happening off it?” he guessed.

Leaning back in the office chair, Bryce nodded, “I’d be breaking that rule if I kicked you off right now. We need you, I need you, I need a win to go out on, you’re going to help me get that.”

“But what about Dixon? Doesn’t that go against your rule?” he asked curiously.

Shaking his head, he responded quickly, “Nope, he hasn’t played well all semester. Besides… if everything that’s he’s been accused of is true… then it’s about time I grow up and do what’s right.”

For the first time, Bryce had actually done the right thing. Although this decision should have been made a long time ago, Mark was thankful that he had a change of heart.

“You’re not off the hook just yet though,” Bryce stopped him, “One last game… this Saturday means something to me so I expect you to be at your absolute best, no excuses.

Mark nodded with every word, “Of course, of course.”

Sitting in the desk chair, Bryce excused Mark, “Okay, get out here, go get yourself cleaned up, your face looks terrible.”