Page 89 of Changing Rules

“Thanks. It felt amazing to finally hear him say it, not just, ‘mom, mom, mom.’”

I huff a laugh. “What does Kelly think about it?”

“She’s been indulging me. She asked him over and over, ‘Who’s that?’ while pointing at me, and he answered ‘Dad’ every time.”

“She’s a smart woman.”

“She’s incredible.” Drew sighs dreamily. “My friends always said she was wife material, and they were right.”

I cross my arms over my chest. As happy as I am for him, those words only remind me of my own failure.

Drew opens his mouth to say something else, but Coach’s arrival silences us all.

It’s time to get back to what we do best. Football.

Coach stopsbeside me at the end of practice. “You did great today.”

Really? My back is sore, my right side covered in bruises.

It’s what I get, I suppose. All day, my mind has drifted, leaving me vulnerable to Drew’s tackles. Surely Coach picked up on my shit performance.

“Xander, look at me, please.”

I hold back a sardonic laugh.There it is.With him, nothing goes unnoticed. He just pities me. He knows about my dad.

“I’ll do better next time,” I assure him, teeth clenched so hard my jaw aches.

“Listen to me.” Coach takes a step closer, putting his hand on my shoulder. “Youdidgreattoday. I mean it. Your life isn’t easy right now, yet you’re still working hard to succeed and be the leader your team needs. I appreciate it.”

“Thanks, Coach.” I force a smile, though when pain radiates through me, it turns into a wince.

“Maybe you should see a trainer.”

“Nah, I’ll be fine.” I scoop up my helmet. “I’ll be more careful next time.”

“I believe in you, Walker,” he says with a pat on my back. “See you on Tuesday. Try not to be late.”

“I’ll do my best.” With that, I head back to the locker room, eager for a shower and some sleep.

Drew and Marco join me in the hallway. They flank me, and the glances they keep throwing at each other aggravate me.

I stop in my tracks and whip around with a glare. “What?”

“Practice was rough.” Drew shakes his head. “I’m headed for a massage after this,” he says quietly. “What about you?”

“Home. I want to go home.” I frown. “Is there something you want to talk to me about?”

“Yeah.” Marco scans the hallway, avoiding my gaze, then zeroes in on Drew.

I swear they have an entire conversation without saying a word.

“And? What is it?”

“The thing is…” Marco rubs the back of his neck. “Meg doesn’t think you should know this, but that doesn’t sit right with me.”

I cringe. “Please don’t make me the reason you and your girlfriend argue.”

“We’ll be alright.” He straightens and takes a deep breath. On the exhale, he says, “Bella is coming home.”

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