Juice Read Online Free

Juice
Book: Juice Read Online Free
Author: Eric Walters
Tags: JUV000000
Pages:
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just half a season, never was a starter. The other, I think you know. Jessie McCarthy.”
    â€œOf course we know him,” Caleb said. “Everybody in the country knows him.”
    Jessie was a defensive lineman—like me—and was a star in the NFL.
    â€œI was talking to Jessie yesterday and —”
    â€œYou were talking to him?” Robbie gasped.
    Coach Barnes shrugged. “We talk all the time. He calls to ask advice or sometimes just to shoot the breeze. Anyway, he said he’s going to drop in this summer to meet my new players.”
    â€œTo meet us?” Caleb sounded like he couldn’t believe his ears.
    â€œAnd to maybe give some tips to our linemen. Jessie is living large, living the dream,” Coach Barnes said. “A dream that everybody in this room has had at one time in their life. Is there anybody who hasn’t thought about making it, going to college, being that one-in-a-million player who not only makes it to the NFL, but becomes a star? Well…anybody?”
    Nobody answered. Who hadn’t had that dream? Or the dream about hitting the homerthat wins the World Series? Or playing in the NBA?
    â€œDreams do come true,” Coach Barnes said, “but only for those who never sleep. If you snooze you lose. I’m now going to tell you boys—you men—my dream. Actually, it’s my plan, because I always have a plan. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. I want you all to remember those words—heck, I want you all to repeat them. Those who fail to plan…”
    â€œThose who fail to plan,” we all echoed.
    â€œâ€¦plan to fail,” Coach Barnes said.
    â€œPlan to fail,” we repeated.
    â€œSay it again!” he ordered.
    We repeated the words, this time louder and with more force and purpose.
    â€œThis is my plan,” Coach Barnes said. “We’re going to win the championship next year. The Division One championship.”
    â€œBut we’ve always played Division Two,” Caleb said.
    â€œThat was in the past. It’s time to step up and play with the big boys—beat the big boys.”
    â€œWe’re not that big a school,” somebody said. “Our student body isn’t that big.”
    â€œI’m not interested in the size of the student body, but in the size of the heart inside the bodies on my team. Is there anybody here who doesn’t think we can do it?”
    Nobody answered.
    â€œBecause anybody who doesn’t think we can win can walk through that door right now. As a matter of fact, I’ll open the door myself and slam it behind them. Well, do you think we can do it? Yes or no?”
    â€œWe can do it,” Caleb said.
    â€œI heard the words, but I couldn’t hear the attitude. Don’t make it sound like a question or an apology. Make it sound like a statement.”
    â€œWe can do it!” Caleb practically yelled. “We can do it!”
    â€œWhat about the rest of you? What do you think?”
    â€œWe can do it!” everybody yelled.
    â€œI know we can. If you can dream it, you can plan it, and if you can plan it, you can do it. We can do it. All of you, stand up.”
    We stumbled to our feet.
    â€œForm a circle.”
    We all did what we were told.
    â€œNow put out a hand—right here on top of mine.”
    We all extended our hands until there was a pile of hands on top of each other.
    â€œI’m going to give you boys my word that I will do whatever, and I mean
whatever
, is necessary to help us reach our dream. Will you all do the same?”
    We all nodded our heads and yelled out agreement. I felt a tingle go right up my spine. I felt as hyped as I had been during the big game—after the big game.
    â€œIt all begins right now, right here. On three, break. One, two, three.”
    â€œBreak!” we all yelled out.
    The bell suddenly rang, signaling the end of fourth period. It was lunch. As everybody stood
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