Page 43 of The Perfect Pass
He cleared his throat, swallowing hard against the memories.
“I really love my dad, and I know he loves me, too.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Sometimes, though, I think he secretly would be happier if it was Ethan who was still around instead of me.”
Her words were an arrow straight to Jackson’s heart, especially coming from someone as confident and self-assured as Calla. All families were screwed up in their own way, though, weren’t they? Some simply hid it better than others.
“Sweetheart, you know that’s not true,” he said quietly.
She exhaled slowly, gaze never straying from his. “Thanks. Deep down, I know you’re right. Being here, though…” Her eyes darted around the emergency room. “This place just messes with my head, I think. Even after all these years.”
“There’s no expiration date on trauma,” he said with quiet confidence. He ought to know. In many ways, it was his upbringing that had brought him to Bishop Falls in the first place.
“You sound like you have personal experience in that department.”
“Maybe I do.” He sipped his coffee. Jackson never talked about his family. This was the closest he’d come to opening up about it in years—possibly ever.
Calla was right. Hospitals just had a way of stripping a person bare, didn’t they?
“Besides, there’s no way your dad is disappointed in you in any way, shape or form. Surely he’s seen the way you throw a ball.” He gave her shoulder a little nudge.
She laughed under her breath, and it was so good tosee her smile that for a second, he almost forgot why they were there.
But then the two deputies came through the door that separated the treatment area from the waiting room, looking unmistakably grim.
A cold sweat prickled the back of Jackson’s neck. “Officers?”
“Coach Knight.” The taller one nodded as the pair approached him and Calla. His name badge identified him as Deputy Willis.
“We’re glad you’re here,” the other officer said. “I’m Deputy Shaw. Deputy Willis and I will be taking the lead on this investigation. Unfortunately, we’ve still got a lot to figure out about what happened this evening.”
“How’s Tommy?” Jackson asked. That was the most important question of all. Once he knew the teen was going to be okay, he could deal with the rest.
“He’s pretty banged up. Those boys really did a number on him, but he’s sitting up and talking. He’s going to be okay.”
Jackson’s knees nearly buckled with relief, even as his attention caught on one particular phrase.Those boys really did a number on him…
“He’s got a few bruised ribs and a moderate concussion, but the doctor’s assured us he’ll be right as rain in a few weeks.” Deputy Willis cleared his throat. “So long as his spleen isn’t bruised. That’s the main concern right now. The kid is set to get a CT scan in the next hour or so.”
Calla’s hand trembled as it flitted to her throat. “Abruised spleen? This is really serious, isn’t it? Did the other players plan for this to happen?”
The officer slung his hands on his kit belt. “We don’t know if it’sbruised quite yet. Before you go printing that in the paper, we need to wait for the CT scan results. Is that clear?”
Calla’s face burned as red as her cowboy boots. “You didn’t answer my question. This was a serious, premeditated attack on Tommy, wasn’t it?”
Jackson’s jaw clenched so hard that he got an instant migraine. This was all his fault. He’d seen Tommy with the older kids earlier, and he’d thought something felt off, but he’d ignored his instincts. A real educator wouldn’t have done that. Someone who was good with kids and knew what it meant to have their best interests at heart would’ve listened to that small, still voice inside. They would’ve intervened before someone got hurt.
The officers exchanged a hesitant glance.
“It was,” Jackson said, spilling the truth since they couldn’t seem to do it. “You don’t have to say it. I already know, and I know exactly who was involved.”
Stokes, Collier and Brown. Jackson knew it with as much certainty as he knew his own name.
“Tommy’s not talking, so I’m afraid we can’t say who caused the boy’s injuries.” Deputy Willis shook his head and sighed.
“We were actually hoping you might talk to him and see what you can find out.” Deputy Shaw cleared his throat. “You know, so the proper parties can be disciplined.”
Why did that sound so disingenuous?
“I’m happy to talk to Tommy,” Jackson said. It felt like far too little, far too late. But he’d do whatever he could to fix this mess. Not because it was his job, and not because he had a sports agent breathing down his neck andthreatening his career, but because he wanted to. Because it was important. Because it wasright.
