Page 52 of Second Down Scrooge

I nod at him and head out onto the field to join in on footwork drills the other tight ends are doing right now.

I glance at Chase—who looks surprised to see me here—and I clench my hands into tight fists, digging my nails into my skin as I fight with everything inside of me to remain calm.

He has to know he's fucked the second he sees me.

“JD-Five wants to talk to you in his office,” I say, dropping Jack Dalton’s nickname.

His eyes widen a little as if he knows he's caught.

“I know what happened,” I say to him, and I draw in a deep breath as I get up in his face. He flinches a little. “I understand why you did what you thought you had to do. I will not forget, but I think you are going to pay the price without me being the one who's issuing the punishment.”

He nods once at me as if he understands what I'm saying. He turns to talk to Coach Bruce for a second before he excuses himself to head upstairs.

I have a feeling my name will be in the news over the next couple days, and that's okay. Two days from now is Christmas, and the coaching staff decided to have us practice today and tomorrow and give us Thursday off to spend the day with our families since our game this week is a home game.

But as I’m practicing on the field, I realize what I want.

What Ireallywant.

What I’ve always wanted.

What’s been within my grasp all along.

I need to go get it, to hang on tight to it, and to never let it go.

I'm not spending Christmas at home by myself.

As soon as I get home from practice, I’m booking a ticket to Chicago.

Chapter 25: Kelly Kaplan

A Conversation I Need to Have in Person

Two Days Until Christmas

“We haven't seen snow like this in years,” my grandma says as she whips up the batter for her famous pancakes so we can eat breakfast for lunch—her favorite meal to make. “Good thing you got in yesterday, or your flight might've been canceled.”

I murmur some sound to let her know I'm listening, but I'm not all that focused on our conversation. I can't stop brooding over the fact that I called him last night and he never answered.

I know he has practice today, so I know he's awake by now…but he still hasn't bothered to call. All the progress we made feels like it’s being pulled out from under us, and he is reverting back to this guy that I'm not sure I can trust.

I glance over at Mia, who's sitting on my dad's lap as they watchSesame Street, and can't help but think she deserves everything. I thought we were in a position to give that to her, but I'm not so sure anymore.

My mom walks over and slings an arm around my shoulder. “Did you two sleep good last night?”

I nod. “Mia was worn out from all the screaming, and so was I.” I chuckle. “You?”

“Just fine,” she says. “But if you slept good, why are you so cranky today?”

My brows pinch together. “I'm not cranky.” I definitely sound cranky, and she raises her brows pointedly.

“Your grandmother is making her famous pancakes, and you’re sitting here at the table, staring out the window instead of standing at her feet to help like you did when you were little.”

“I'm not little anymore,” I protest.

“No, that's definitely true, but I don't know...I guess I just figured you would pass the torch to a little one, and instead you’re sitting here like you just lost your best friend.”

“I'm fine.” I should've known that I couldn't hide all this from her, so I relent and give her the truth. “I called Austin last night and he didn’t pick up, okay? And then I saw pictures of him out with friends. It just sucks, and I have no idea what’s going on.”

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