Page 115 of Major Penalty

Tommy grabs Irene’s other hand. Cole grabs his. Jamie next. One by one, they link up, laughing, stumbling, excited.

I count.

One. Two. Three. Four…

I don’t stop until I hit twelve.

All here.

I glance at Irene. Her smile says everything I can’t. Her eyes are still shining. Her cheeks are flushed.

“You ready to leave?” I ask her quietly.

She nods.

We start walking—me leading them down the tunnel, Irene’s hand in one of mine, Mandy’s in the other.

Twelve little bodies following behind us, jerseys swaying, faces glowing.

Security stands aside, cameras flash, and fans cheer.

But none of that matters.

Because this moment is mine.

And I’m done hiding.

This is my family. And I’m walking them through.

Coach Brown steps out of the corridor.

He doesn’t say a word at first; he just plants himself directly in my path like a goddamn wall. His eyes shift to Irene, her face, her jersey, her hand in mine. Then, down the line of kids behind us, then back to me.

“Ares.” His voice is low, but I still hear it through the muffled roar of the crowd. “Can I have a word with you?” His jaw’s tight.

My stomach knots, but I don’t flinch. I expected this. Iowehim this.

I nod once and then crouch.

“Mandy,” I say gently, catching her eyes. “Take Irene’s hand.” She nods without hesitation, and I guide her over, carefully unlinking us. “Just like that.”

Then I look up at Irene. She’s searching my face like she’s trying to read the storm before it hits.

“Wait for me,” I murmur. “By the locker rooms. Please.”

“Ares…”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” I give her my best reassuring smile.

She hesitates but then nods. She knows I have to do this on my own. She just doesn’t want me to walk into the fire alone.

She shifts her hand, threading her fingers tighter through Mandy’s and Tommy’s.

“C’mon, guys,” she says softly, turning to the kids. “Let’s give him a minute.”

I watch them go, and then I turn back to Brown. My heart’s thundering, but I meet his eyes.

I’m fucked. I’m so fucking fucked. He’s gonna tell me I’m a disgrace. That I’ve betrayed his trust. That I’ve crossed a line I can’t come back from.

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