Page 26 of The Way We Win

“You can’t deny what you see with your own eyes.” George’s voice rises. “Levi’s the best quarterback on the field.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Jack’s voice remains calm. “He’s got a lot of talent, but I want to see him be more of a team player.”

“A team player? He’s a team leader.” George isn’t backing down. “He threw a touchdown before you took him out of the game. Is that how you run your team? You’re supposed to be a legend.”

“My dad was the legend.” It sounds like a joke, but an edge is in Jack’s tone. “I’m only the head coach, and I decide who plays where and when.”

George turns to me. “This is Allie Sinclair? Austin’s mother?”

My lips part, but my back straightens. “I am.”

I might be small, but I’m not afraid of this man.

“Uh-huh.” He nods like he knows something. “And that’s Coach Bradford’s daughter? The one you’re always keeping?”

He points at Kimmie Joy, who is jumping around beside Sadie.

Jack walks over to stand between me and Levi’s dad. “What’s on your mind, Powell?”

“Nothing at all, Coach.” A wicked grin curls his lips. “But she’s a pretty lady. I don’t blame you for giving her son preferential treatment. Maybe those favors go both ways.”

Jack moves so fast, I can’t believe Garrett catches him. He holds his brother’s arms, looking over his shoulder at Powell.

“You’d better get going, George.” Garrett gives a sharp order. “One more word, and you’ll be lucky if Levi’s on third string.”

My heart hammers in my chest, and Jack’s jaw is set. Zane walks over to stand beside his brothers, and I notice his fists are clenched.

Logan is with the boys on the sidelines, and they’re all watching the scene. My face is hot, but Austin is frowning. Levi looks up at the sky, then he jogs onto the field, grabbing his father’s arm.

“Come on, Dad.” His voice is quiet, but I can still hear him. “Let it go.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, boy,” George snaps, throwing his son’s arm to the side.

Levi’s eyes fall to the ground as if he’s embarrassed, and I blink up at Jack.

Garrett’s grip on his arms relaxes, and while he’s still angry, the tension in his body relaxes a bit.

George is still seething, but Jack looks to where his team stands in a group, waiting for what happens next.

“Daddy!” Kimmie runs up to Jack, catching his hand. “Did you see me cheering? Sadie says I’m a good cheerleader. She says I’ll be on the cheer squad when I’m big!”

He lifts her off the ground, putting her on his hip. She puts her arms around his neck smiling, and he turns, going to his boys.

6

Jack

“We’ve got a big year coming up, and I really like what I’m seeing out here.” My tone is even, no hint of what almost happened.

Garrett had me around the shoulders, and I’m not going to lie, I was pissed as hell. My brothers know me well, and they were right to gather around me.

But when I looked up and saw my team watching, the worry in their young eyes, I was right back in that room the night my father died.

I had to step back and remember my position here. It’s easy to give in to anger. Control is much harder, but it’s always the right choice.

The hardest part was catching a glimpse of Allie making a hasty retreat back to the school. I’m worried she was hurt or embarrassed. I hate that she was alone.

Instead, I’m standing in the huddle, making eye contact, one by one, with boys I’ve known since they were little guys, shouting at me from the park towatch what we do, Coach.

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