Cheered – Caitlin Ryan

“Fine. There’s a party.” “Figures,” Holly replied. “You go. Have fun. Be safe. Use protection if you’re having sex, and don’t drink drive.” “Mom,” Alexis hissed. “We’re in public.” “I just want you to be safe,” Holly replied with a shrug. “Now, go. Enjoy your college experience by drinking cheap beer and spending your Saturday hungover.” “You go out tonight,” Susan told her daughter.

“Mom, no. It’s been a long week. I just want to chill out on the sofa and watch a movie.” The first week of sharing the gym with LCC had gone relatively smoothly, though there were a few teething problems with the other teams from Pride that also used the space and couldn’t understand why a rival team was using Pride resources. “It wasn’t a question.” Sasha’s eyes narrowed. “Mama, what have you done?” The older woman shrugged, busying herself in the kitchen. “It’s a mother’s prerogative to make sure her daughter is happy.”

“I am happy,” Sasha promised. “No, my dear. You’re not. Tonight, you’re going on a date with David.” “David? Who the fuck is David?” Sasha rose, her face reddening. She did not need her mother to get her a date. And certainly not with a man. “He’s the coach of the football team.” “Coach Fines? You got me a date with Coach Fines? He’s at least thirty- five.” Sasha thought back to those early days when she’d run into the coach in the library. He’d asked her out on a date then.

She’d said no. “And he makes a good living. Very stable job. He understands the demands of your job, too. Besides, a football player and a cheerleader are the most perfect couple. And thirty-five isn’t that much older than you.” If they were arguing about Holly Morgan, Sasha might have agreed.

David Fines was a whole different ballgame. “Mom, I don’t need a boyfriend. I told you. I’m just fine by myself. And even if I wasn’t happy, which I am, I don’t need some football coach to make me happy.” “Well, it’s a little late for that. He’ll be here in forty minutes. Now, go and hop in the shower and make yourself beautiful.” Sasha groaned, ready to protest, to tell her mother she couldn’t go on a date with him.

Except then she’d have to tell her mother why she couldn’t go on a date with Coach David Fines. Frankly, it was easier to just go on the date and be done with it. Sasha stomped toward her bedroom, still grumping silently as she stepped into the warm spray of her shower. The water pressure could be better and half the time the water was lukewarm, but she savored each moment there. When she slipped into a pair of jeans, lamenting that leggings wouldn’t be appropriate for a date, her mother poked her head in.

“David would like to know if you like barbecue?” “Just… ugh. I wish you hadn’t done this.”

Holly heaved the heavy backpack higher onto her shoulders and balanced the box she was carrying a little steadier. The suitcase she was dragging behind her teetered a little. “This one!” Alexis called out from a little ahead. Holly dodged past a kid who didn’t look older than fifteen, carrying a box twice the size of her, and ducked through the door her daughter had just disappeared through. How could one kid possibly need so much stuff for college? Holly gratefully dropped the box onto the bed and let the backpack fall to the ground in front of her.

Holly glanced around the room that her daughter would be calling home for the next nine or so months. It felt like just yesterday that Alexis was starting her first day of school, two little red pigtails bouncing on her shoulders. The room was basic. Two beds, two desks, two chairs, and a lot of brown wood that made the room look older than it was. The Pride College welcome packet touted Building P as the latest in dorm room comfort. There was little evidence of that comfort that Holly could see.

Bags, boxes, and suitcases littered the room, already mixing together in a mesh of workout tops, photos, linen, and school gear. A green and gold Pride College flag was already hung on the wall near the entrance, likely a decor choice by the unaccounted-for roommate. “Okay, I think we can get everything else in one last trip,” Holly said. She caught Alexis glancing around the room, emotions dancing across her face—happiness, apprehension, excitement.

Whatever Holly’s feelings were about Pride, she was glad Alexis had made what was clearly the right choice for her. “I can’t believe I’m finally here,” Alexis muttered falling onto her unmade mattress. Holly smiled. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.” “You’re not going to get all corny on me, are you?” Alexis asked from her spot on the bed.

Holly shrugged. She busied herself with getting the little bar fridge plugged in and cooling down. “It’s a big day. Your mom’s allowed to get a little corny.” For as nervous as Holly was, Alexis was perfectly calm with the changes in her living situation. She bounced upright and started opening drawers and closets.

“Any idea where those sheets ended up?” Alexis asked a few moments later.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

Book Information

• Unique ID: 6e209a0454fd9b39
• File Extension: .pdf
• File Size: 1,447,996 bytes (1.381 MB)
• Title: –
• Author: Unknown
• Pages: 258
• Language: English (en)

Reading & Word Statistics

• Estimated Reading Time: 420.24 minutes
• Total Words: 84,047
• Total Characters: 466,590
• Average Words per Page: 325.76
• Average Characters per Page: 1808.49

Most Frequent Words

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