Page 132 of The Problem with Players

Cameron even joined in on one of the workouts with Prest’s team. As he ran drills on the field, I stood in the dugout, watching it all take place.

“How does it feel to be back on your stomping grounds, Pierce?” Coach Reed asked me as he walked over with a clipboard and a brown envelope in his hand. Coach Reed was an older gentleman who’d been the head coach at Prest for the past twenty years. He was the one who got me into the big leagues. He was one of the best, and I was excited that Cameron might have the opportunity to work with such a legend.

“Feels like coming home,” I told him.

He nudged me in the arm. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He nodded in Cameron’s direction on the field. “The boy’s good. One of the best we’ve seen in a long time.”

“He can take it all the way.”

“I have no doubt about that. He has all-American written all over him. It would be a treat to coach that boy. He needs a little bit of work, but nothing I can’t help him with.”

“I know he’d be in good hands here,” I told him.

“You should know that,” he agreed. “Seeing how you’ll be joining the team as one of the head coaches, too.”

I narrowed my eyes as I looked at Reed. “I beg your pardon?”

“It’s no secret that you’ve had quite the turnaround with your career, Pierce. I’ve been watching you, like the rest of the industry, and your small town turned the game upside down. I even saw some articles on your team on ESPN.”

“They’re a solid team.”

“Because they had a solid leader.”

“That’s true, they did. Avery Kingsley has done remarkable things with that team this year.”

He waved a dismissive hand my way. “I’m not talking about that girl. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure she’s talented, but this is about you, Pierce. We want to offer you a position at Prest. You would be the coach of our dreams, and I couldn’t think of a better one to take over once I retire.”

“Retire?” I asked. “You’re planning on retiring?”

“I’m old,” he explained. “My wife said if I don’t, she’ll leave me. So you know.” He shrugged. “I figured I should start looking for a replacement.”

I smiled and patted his shoulder. “I’m honored, but I think I’m good.”

He held out the brown envelope. “Inside this is a contract. One that is probably much more impressive than that lil’ olehigh school one you got. You have a big talent, boy. Not many people get second shots like this. Just give me your word that you’ll consider it.”

I took the envelope. “Thanks, but I think I’m settled where I am.”

“Just consider it,” he echoed.

Knowing that he wouldn’t let up on it, I agreed. Even though I knew in my heart of hearts that I wasn’t leaving Honey Creek. I’d found my way back home after years of wandering. I’d be an idiot to leave when everything I’d ever wanted was in my lap.

“Attaboy.” He patted my back and then looked out toward the field. He blew the whistle hanging around his neck. “Run that play again, boys. And don’t make it look like a toddler’s doing it, all right?”

He walked off the field as Cameron came jogging over toward me. “Coach P! Did you see me out there?”

“Hell yeah, I did. That was amazing.”

“Did Coach Reed tell you about the coaching position? Could you imagine? Us both being at Prest? We’d be unstoppable.”

“Yeah. He mentioned it.” I smiled an uneasy grin and patted his back. “But we should probably get going to the airport. I just wanted you to get one more run on the field before we headed out.”

Adam, Cameron, and I headed to the airport, and the flight was easy enough. After we walked out of the Chicago airport, I said my goodbyes to the two and thanked them for the weekend.

“Hey, Coach P?” Cameron called out.

I turned and looked back toward him. “Yeah?”

He rushed over and hugged me. “Thank you for this.”

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