Page 58 of Why We Break

I blink at him a few more times, but he just continues looking at the damned screen. I look down at the tech, but she just gives me another apologetic wince.

“Anyway, I’ll get the nurse to make sure we get that birth control called in for you to whatever pharmacy you have on file and see if we can squeeze you in for some blood work. But the lab’s been a headache lately, so you may have to wait a few weeks. She’ll call you with results to confirm sometime in the next two weeks, but unless we find anything concerning, we’ll see you next year,” he says, and without another word, he’s gone. As soon as the door closes behind him, I feel tears start sliding down my cheek.

“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. Dr. Millwood isn’t the best with bedside manner,” Sam says as she takes out the wand and starts cleaning everything off. “It’ll be okay.”

And despite the fact that I know she’s just trying to be nice, her words cause my tears to turn into body-wracking sobs because I’m pretty sure that after today, nothing will ever be okay again.

CHAPTER 43

WILL

“All right, guys, great practice!” I tell the team later that week. It’s Wednesday afternoon and we just finished running the last of the drills for the day. “Get some rest tonight and study those plays some more because I promise you that Williams County is one of the best teams we’ve played all year. We’re gonna have to bring our A game if we want a chance at that state championship.”

The team chimes in with variations of “yes, sir” and “yes, coach” before I motion for them to be dismissed, and they turn and head back into the locker room.

“I think that was a pretty good practice,” Theo says, watching them go. “You feeling okay about Friday?”

“Yeah, I think we’re as ready as we can be,” I answer, and the other coaches nod in agreement.

“I agree, I think it’s kinda up to them at this point,” Marcus chimes in.

“You’re right. It’s been a long week, so you can all go ahead and head out,” I say.

“Sounds good, see you tomorrow,” Theo says, and they all turn to head to their trucks, leaving me alone.

After making sure all the gear from practice is put away and double checking that all the kids found a way home, I grab my stuff and jump in the truck. It’s Wednesday, so I’m headed to visit Mr. Scott, despite the fact that I feel a little more guilty each week about what Hannah and I are hiding from him.

I make the short drive over to his nursing home and smile at the nurses on the way inside before knocking on his door.

“Come in,” I hear from the other side, and I enter to find him setting up the checker board for our weekly game.

“Will, son, how are ya?” he asks, pausing and walking around the table to give me a hug.

“I’m good. How are you feeling this week old man?” I tease, making sure he gets settled into his usual seat before sitting across from him.

“Oh, you know, same old, same old,” he says with a laugh.

“Well, you look better than you did last week. Did they get your meds fixed?” I ask while setting out my checkers on the board in front of us.

“Yeah, I’ve had a better week this week. But nobody wants to hear about how this old bag of bones is falling apart. How’s your week been? The boys all ready for the game this week?” he asks, making the first move.

“I think we’re as ready as we’re gonna be. I feel bad saying it, but I’m ready to get this one over with, you know? Not that I want the season to end. It’s just like we’ve done everything we can, and until Friday we’re just waiting. We’re so close to state next week, and I really hope we can pull it off.”

“That makes sense. I hope y’all make it. It’s been years since Springside made it this far, and I’d sure like to see that big trophy headed back this way,” he says, as I jump his first piece.

“You and me both. Anyway, how’s Gladis this week?” I ask, waiting for him to make his next move.

“Oh, she’s good. They’ve put together a little outing for some of us to go see the lighting of the Christmas tree later this week and she’s so excited. Pretty sure she’s gonna try talking me into staying out all night,” he says with an exaggerated eye roll.

I laugh at his antics and shake my head. “You wild kids. That sounds like fun though. What else is going on around here?”

“Well, you know there’s always some gossip going around this place, but that’s not what I wanted to ask you about,” he says, looking between me and the checkers board.

“Okay, what’s up?” I ask, expecting him to ask me about the farm or something else at the school.

“Do you want to tell me why I found out this week that you’re paying for me to stay here, Will?” he says, and I feel like all the air in the room is suddenly gone. Neither of us move, and I blink at him for a moment, trying to figure out what to say.

“Uh, what are you talking about?” I ask hesitantly.

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