SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS

Mimibear: Hey, as Casey said, he dug his own grave. Yep. Oh, no. I love Dasey, but I'm horrible at writing it. I'm not sure what you mean by that. Thanks. Sorry this took so long.

Crimson and Chrome: Yep.

DISCLAIMER

I'm so sorry this took so long to update! I just didn't know until tonight how I wanted this chap to go. Life With Derek belongs to Canadian Television and Disney. I only own the plot. I just realized I never said what position had been left open, so I'm correcting that mistake now.

Hours after Casey had left his room; Derek lay in his bed, his mind racing, trying to figure out a way to get her to change her mind. However, his mind kept coming up blank. Man, I gotta figure out a way to get back on Casey's good side, he thought to himself. Maybe if he sat down with Nick and talked to him. But how would he approach him? With these troubled thoughts, the boy drifted to sleep. The next thing he knew, hard rock was blaring through his speakers.

"Mmm?" he mumbled. He turned off the radio, got up, and got dressed. Then, he headed for the kitchen where he found the rest of his family already sitting.

"So, what's for breakfast?" he questioned. Casey just scoffed, but didn't answer.

"It's on the stove," Nora told him. Derek grabbed himself a plate and served himself. Casey glared at him, but stayed at the table.

"So Nick, is there anything going on today?" Nora questioned.

"No. Just school same as usual," Nick responded.

"So, there's not going to be any word about football tryouts?" Nora questioned.

"Oh, I---I don't know, Mom. I---I probably won't even make the team. I only tried out to make Casey happy," Nick answered. When they were done, they all got into their respective cars and drove off.

"You lied to her," Casey said.

"What?" Nick asked.

"You totally want to make the team," Casey stated. Nick laughed nervously.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

"Oh, please! I know you better than anybody! I saw your face at the tryout. You had a blast---just like when you were playing for Langley," she told him. Nick laughed.

"Gotta admit, it felt good. Like I had it back again," he said softly.

"And you deserve that. You'll get it. I'm sure of it," she optimistically stated in the same tone. Once they reached Sir John Sparrow High, they got out of the car and walked up the steps. Derek listened as Casey and Nick talked about the possible outcomes of the previous day's tryout.

"What if I don't make it, GT? What if it's just a pipe dream?" Nick asked.

"You'll make it, ET. I've got faith in you," Casey said.

"What if it turns out to be like before?" Nick worried.

"It won't. When we were dating, Max talked about him all the time. He's a good guy," Casey assured.

"You ever meet him?"

"Well, no, but---"

"I don't know if I could take it if turned bad again."

"It won't. And if it looks like it is, we'll bail. We'll just forget them." Derek's brows furrowed. What were they talking about? This is weird. How come they sound like something bad happened? he thought to himself. However, he had no time to question it before the bell rang. As they walked to class, Nick ran his fingers through his hair. Oh, man. What if it all comes crashing down? he wondered. He didn't want that to happen. He had a second chance at this, and he really hoped it wasn't ruined. Not like it was before. But then again, he was getting ahead of himself. There was no guarantee that he had actually made the team. There were plenty of second stringers that had been just as good as him. Presently, Max approached them.

"Hey, Max," Casey greeted.

"Hey, guys," Max acknowledged.

"So, how long does the coach take before posting the results?" Nick wondered.

"Usually a few days, but he's in a bind, so he said he was gonna post it at the end of the day," Max answered.

"That's pretty fast," Casey commented.

"Like I said, he's in a bind," Max stated.

"So, what did happen?" Nick questioned. "I mean, from what I understand from school, you're in the middle of a season," he continued.

"Our quarterback moved, so…"

"Oh, yikes. I see your point." Derek winced. That was a horrible blow. Though the hockey and football team were rivals, Derek wouldn't want anything to happen that would ruin the school's chances at success. Nick blew out a breath and followed Casey into their class.

"You're nervous," Casey commented.

"Yeah. Yeah, I am," Nick admitted.

"Well, if you don't make it, it's their loss," Casey stated.

"Thanks, GT," he said. For Nick, the day seemed to drag on. He wanted to know what the coach's decision had been. Casey did all she could to make the day go by, but for the boy, it still seemed to be the longest day ever. Finally, the day was done and Nick headed for the coach's office, where Max and some of the other members of the football team were waiting.

"What's going on?" Casey wondered.

"Hey, Nick's not the only one who wants to see who made the team," Max answered.

"Oh," Casey said.

"Speaking of which, why do you look so nervous, man?" Max wondered.

"I haven't played for awhile. If I make the team…I'm getting back something I loved," Nick responded.

"Um, okay," Max said in surprise. He hadn't been expecting that answer. Oh, man. I really want this back. It gotten stolen from me, and I want it back, Nick nervously thought to himself. Presently, Coach Walters came out, a piece of paper in his hand.

"Well, I gotta say, I was expecting more of a crowd," he commented. The kids chuckled. "Well, I went over the tape I made of the tryouts---and yes, I even tape tryouts---and my choice for the next quarterback is---"

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I was wondering if I should incorporate "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" into the story or if that would get too confusing. Please let me know.