Page 69 of Final Down

I nod.

“I figured.”

My mouth pulls into a tight smile, and my skin buzzes with awkward discomfort as the two of us stare at one another. He doesn’t like having this meeting as much as I don’t like being here for it. I can tell by the way he keeps tapping his fingers on the desk and shrugging his shoulders.

“He’s the starter . . . right?” I finally just say it.

Coach’s body deflates with his exhale, his shoulders dropping as he rolls his neck. He leans forward and rests his elbows on the desk as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Wyatt, I’m not going to lie to you. This isn’t really my call, which in all my years as a head coach . . . Well, let’s just say it’s always been my call. But Mickey, he sees that kid as the future. And hell, he probably is. He’s young and flashy, and that’s what this sport is doing right now. But I gotta tell you, there will always be a place for those quiet heroes.”

My mouth curves a hint.

“Is that what I am? A quiet hero?”

I feel like an asshole.

“Wyatt, you’re the kind of quarterback I dream of coaching.”

I swallow the instant lump that forms. I didn’t expect to be hit so hard emotionally. It’s nice to hear him voice positive thoughts about me. Somehow, it makes the sting hurt less.

“I knew what this was when I said yes,” I admit. I hoped I could change things, but also, I knew.I know.

Coach looks off to the side as he chews at his lips. He takes a deep breath, then leans back in his chair, leveling me with a hard look.

“This kid, Wyatt? He needs a mentor. And I don’t have the right to ask you to step up and do it. Shit, I’m not even sure I want you to waste your time. But if you’re the guy I think you are?—”

“I’ll do it. I can swallow my pride, believe me.” I chuckle.

“Bryce said you were better than most out there when he first met with us, and I had a feeling he meant more than just the arm. He was right. You’re a bigger man than I am.”

Coach rocks to his feet and rounds the desk as I stand and meet him halfway. We shake, but before we pull apart, he covers the back of my hand and holds on for a beat.

“Keep competing out there, though, showing up, doing your thing. Don’t just push Chance, push yourself. Because you never know . . .”

I hold his stare for a few seconds, reading into any hidden message he may be telling me. I decide he’s simply making this a coachable moment, though. It’s like the stuff I tell the high school kids. Be proud of the product you put on that field, every time. It’s the only thing you can take with you when the game is done.

And I’m starting to think my time is coming soon.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Six weeks into the season

The Coolidge Bears cheer team is in good hands.

That thought has been on repeat ever since I asked Ms. Chester, the high school lunch lady who has been at the school since my uncle went there, to fill in for me tonight. I’ve waited weeks for the Arizona game, and I’m not going to miss seeing Wyatt, even if his only role is to warm up Chance Hickory and give him feedback after each set of downs. Wyatt hasn’t played since preseason, but he’s held up his promise to Coach Elgin. He’s stood by Chance, even when that bullheaded asshole doesn’t want to listen to him.

“Okay, Coach. I just got the list you sent, and I talked to the band director. They’re playing the same song as last week’s game, so we’ll do the same routine,” Alissa says from her side of our phone call.

I exhale, finally. Because the good hands I’ve been counting on are Alissa’s. She’s really stepped up as the team captain, becoming more of an assistant coach in many ways. It was heridea to bring in the dance teacher to add some contemporary choreography to our competition routine, and it’s paid off a ton. This isn’t the most powerful squad Coolidge has had, so tumbling isn’t going to score us points. But the girls took to the hip hop we incorporated fast. We have some moves that are going to wow the judges and the crowd, which will boost our engagement points a ton.

“Thanks for handling this. You know, I meant what I said about you coming back as my assistant next season. My hands are going to be full with a newborn, and if you’re going to the community college for your first two years, it’s a nice paycheck.”

I can’t believe I’m wishing this hard to keep Alissa’s mom around, but if I get Alissa in the deal, then I’m willing to put up with that vile woman a little longer. She shows up to every game, and I swear I can feel her eyes boring holes through me from the stands. She seems to love bragging about Alissa’s leadership role, and it’s their relationship that’s more important. I couldn’t give a rip what that woman thinks of me. Pregnancy is humbling that way. Your body does things for nine months that make you realize all women are superheroes, and if I can survive this, I can handle whatever Adrian Sommers has to dish out to me.

“I’ll think about it,” Alissa responds, the same answer she gave me last time I asked her to take the job. She has a lot of options for school, and while the community college’s full ride is a good financial decision, it doesn’t have the same appeal as the quarter scholarship she’s been offered at Duke. She wants to be a doctor, so maybe that route is right.

“Okay. I’ll lay off the full-court press,” I say. “Text me some video and call if you need anything.”

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