"The season rankings have been decided," he said without preamble or inflection. It was old news by now—sportscasters and coaches had been adding up points all season—but everyone perked up to listen. "The following four teams have qualified to represent the southeastern district in spring championship games. I will list them in order of ranking, first to fourth. Edgar Allan, Palmetto State, Breckenridge, Belmonte."

He passed the microphone off to a more personable coach who offered enthusiastic congratulations and seasonal wishes. One of the Hornets didn't wait for him to be finished but leaned across the table and gestured at Kevin and Neil.

"How the hell did two of you beat Breckenridge?"

"It wasn't just two of us," Neil said.

The look she gave him said she wasn't impressed by that modesty. Neil shrugged and let it slide. He understood her skepticism, but he stood by his words.

Because Palmetto State and Breckenridge ended the season with the same twelve-two record, the ERC used their goals ratio as a tiebreaker. It was the same method they used in semifinals, which was why spring semis were considered a wild card round. The Foxes' points earned-lost ratio was simply better than the Jackals' was.

A large part of that could be accredited to their defense line, from their unyielding goalkeepers to their aggressive backliners, but the ratio also relied heavily on the strikers' performance. Somehow Neil and Kevin scored enough this season to one-up the Jackals. Neil didn't know how they'd done it but he didn't care. The Jackals came to Palmetto State in August with every intention of hurting both Seth and Kevin. Neil had loathed them ever since.

Placing second meant they didn't have to face the Jackals again, fortunately. Up until the semifinals, spring games ran in even and odd brackets. The odd-ranked teams would play on Friday nights, and the evens would play on Saturdays.

Nicky spoke up right on cue. "Thank god we're not playing the odds again. We might actually have a chance this year."

"We'll make it," Dan said. "We have to. We owe the Ravens a rematch."

The Hornets exchanged pitying looks but didn't comment. Caterers piled the tables high with food and the teams dug in. Dinner conversation was loud and excited. Kevin joined in if the conversation veered toward Exy, stayed out of it when it didn't, and kept sending furtive looks at the Ravens' table. Neil didn't speak unless spoken to and kept most of his attention on Kevin. He was halfway through dinner before he realized he had yet to speak to Renee.

"Sorry," he said.

Renee sent him a curious look. "Why?"

"I'm not trying to ignore you."

"It's all right if you do," Renee said. "Kevin needs you more than I do."