Page 21 of Hits Different

Fleming (23) later confirmed on social media that he would not be seeking a coaching role and intends to leave soccer altogether.

“I spoke to Summit’s manager this morning”. Coach reappears.Simon, I suddenly remember. Parker always kept his family at arm’s length. “Can I tell him you’ll be there in a week?”

“No”. I close the article, replacing Brad Fleming’s face with the Wolves logo on Coach’s home screen. I stand, not looking Coach in the eye. “Tell him I’ll be there tomorrow”.

Chapter 8

Consequences

Parker

“You understand that I have to fire you, correct?” Vanessa doesn’t sound mad, which makes me feel worse. “I’ll post your last paycheque. Deducting damages, of course”.

I can’t blame her. Getting into a bar fight is bad enough at the best of times, but when youliterallywork at the bar, it’s a whole new level of fucked up.

I can’t even blame anyone else. It was me who lost my temper. Me who was being shoved, prodded, and provoked all night. Me, who watched my so-called brothers mimic Brandon’s accident.

And me, who was stupid enough to throw the first punch. It’s only a matter of time before someone forwards that footage to the Dean’s office, and my suspension upgrades to a full blown expulsion.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I delete the lengthy diatribe from my mom and reply with a simple sentence:I’ll be at Summit first thing tomorrow.

“I guess I deserve that”, I say tightly.

She sighs. “Parker, why can’t you just say you’re sorry?”

“You know what he did!”

“I do, and it’s horrifying. Had I known he was here, I would have had him removed immediately”. Vanessa folds her arms. “Which you’re well aware of, and yet still chose to handle it yourself”.

“I know what I’m doing”.

“Did you know what you were doing when you were drinking on your shift?”

There’s a dullness in my chest that only tightens as Vanessa continues, “I have a friend who works as a therapist. I’m going to get him to give you a call”.

“I don’t need that. I’m not… broken”, I ignore the lump forming in my throat. “There’s nothing wrong with me”.

There’s a loaded pause.“Listen, Parker. I know you’re a good guy. But you have a temper. And I get it. Maybe it’s stuff you’ve got going on at home. Maybe you just like to fight”, I shake my head, “But you need to figure it out. Because this isn’t working for you. And it’s not working for me. Right now, you’re this close to becoming the kind of guy everyone thinks you are. And in the meantime, you need to learn how to apologise”.

From his spot on the couch, my dad puts down his newspaper. ‘She’s got a point’.

“I can’t”, Vanessa continues, more kindly, “Be the first person to tell you this”.

Chapter 9

The Carter Summer Ball

Three Years Earlier

Parker

“The ice sculpture has arrived”, I announce, from my vantage point overlooking Brandon’s driveway.

Drivewayis a bit of an understatement, since it’s about a mile long, and filled with vans of caterers and decorators, all frantically preparing for the party formerly known as Brandon’s Graduation. “Carter, you might have a problem. What animal is it supposed to be?”

“A lion!” Brandon pokes his hand round the doorway, wet hair leaving droplets on bare shoulders. I’m getting ready at his place because Brandon owns tuxedos, plural, so I’m borrowing one. Plus it’s far more entertaining to mess with him in person. “Why, what does it look like?”

“Kind of like a woolly mammoth”, I crank my head 90 degrees. “Sunbathing”.

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