Page 12 of The Way We Win

Hell, everyone’s been watching Austin for the past two years. These guys aren’t ignorant if they know high school ball.

Levi hesitates, glancing at his father before returning his eyes to mine.

His chin lifts, and a cocky expression crosses his young face. “I’ll be the best player you’ve ever had, Coach. Just put me in the game.”

It didn’t answer my question, but my face remains neutral. I feel a shift in the group of brothers behind me, and I know they’re all eavesdropping.

“Is Levi enrolled at the high school?” Never hurts to be sure.

“We got him signed up this week,” his father answers.

Inhaling slowly, I think about what this means, how it will impact the offensive line I’ve built. It’s good to have a backup quarterback. It’ll bump Lucas down to third string, but it’s only for a year.

Shifting my stance, I nod, exhaling slowly. “We’re halfway through training camp. I need you to suit up and be on the field Monday at 7 am sharp so I can see what you’ve got.”

“He’ll be there.” George puts a hand on his son’s shoulder, smiling.

So many parents are over-involved in their kids’ lives. I know it’s because earning a scholarship is a big assist, but these two don’t look like they need money.

Looks can be deceiving, I suppose.

“Nice to meet you both.” I leave it at that, returning to my brothers.

3

Allie

When he returns to where we’re all watching him from beside the smaller bar near the pool tables, Jack has that look on his face. It’s the same one he wears when he’s watching his brother Hendrix play a tight game.Intense.

Garrett is the first to speak. “Good-looking kid.”

Logan adds, “Tough-looking kid.”

The muscle in Jack’s square jaw moves attractively. He’s not a big talker like Garrett or Hendrix or Logan—when Logan’s in the mood.

Zane is also quiet, and he’s watching his oldest brother like I am.

“Did I hear him say they moved here from Gainesville?” Zane’s voice is quiet. “That’s a tough district. A lot of good players come out of there.”

My chest tightens, because I also heard the man say his son is a starting quarterback. Jack’s been working so closely with Austin for so long, and I know he’s as proud of my son as I am.

At the same time, I know he’s under a lot of pressure to winevery season. Parents want headlines, because headlines draw scouts, which in turn draws scholarships.

Lord knows, Austin has to get a scholarship if he’s going to attend college—or get a loan, which I hate. But there’s no way I can pay for tuition on a waitress-slash-school librarian’s salary.

Logan leans against his elbow on the bar. “How do you think the boys will respond?”

“I don’t know.” Jack’s blue eyes flicker to mine, and they soften ever so slightly. “We’ll make it work.”

I take a sip of my beer, doing my best not to let the heat burning in my chest move up to my cheeks. I have no reason to respond to him the way I do. Jack Bradford has only ever treated Austin and me with respect and courtesy… much to my disappointment.

Despite what certain parents might think, he doesn’t show favoritism. If there’s a better player than Austin on the team, he’ll put that boy in the best spot. It’s part of the reason I have a knot in my throat at the thought of Levi Powell.

“My goodness, did I walk into a stable?” Liv’s laughing voice joins us, and she walks up with her daughter Gigi on her hip. “Why all the long faces?”

As soon as Garrett’s daughter sees her daddy, she starts fussing and reaching for him.

“There’s my little princess.” Garrett lifts the two-year-old from his wife’s arms, then he kisses Liv’s cheek. “And my queen.”

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