Page 55 of The Perfect Pass
Jackson’s pencil flicking kicked up a notch. “I heard rumblings from some of the kids that they haven’t been around, but I didn’t realize all three boys had missed an entire week of school.”
“None of them have set foot on campus since the day they were permanently suspended from the team.” Principal Dean sighed. “I figured they might take a day or two to blow off steam, given the circumstances. But I’m beginning to get concerned.”
Cade leaned forward in his chair. “Are these excused or unexcused absences? Have any of the parents called or emailed?”
“There’s been no contact whatsoever from any of the parents.”
Cade exhaled sharply. “That’s concerning. Two of them have family members in the Victory Club. I figured they were burning up the phone lines trying to get you to force Jackson to reverse his decision.”
Bishop walked back and forth, rubbing against Principal Dean’s legs.
Jackson shook his head.Read the room, dog.
“My office has been exceptionally quiet the past few days. The attendance clerk has made daily calls to all the parents, and each of those attempts rolled to voicemail. None of her many messages have been returned,” the principal said.
“What happens if they don’t show up next week?” Jackson asked. There had to be a limit to how many times a student could be a no-show. As the only person in the room without a degree in education, he just had no idea what that number might be.
“Given the circumstances, I’m willing to give the families a little space. But this is still a school, and refusing to attend class isn’t acceptable.” Principal Dean shifted his gaze toward Jackson, his expression briefly softening into something that almost looked pleasant. “I’m beginning to think suspending those boys from the team was the right call.”
Jackson arched a brow at his boss. “That almost sounded like a compliment.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Principal Dean said.
Cade covered his mouth with his hand in an obvious effort at stifling a laugh.
Jackson smirked. “I wouldn’t dare, sir.”
The principal’s eyes cut toward Cade. “I’m not sure what you find so funny, Coach Montgomery. This isn’t a laughing matter.”
“You’re right. It’s not.” Cade cleared his throat and schooled his expression. “My apologies.”
“And Coach Knight, what on earth is going on with this dog?”Principal Dean bellowed as Bishop wiggled against his shins again, causing him to stumble backward and bump into a metal filing cabinet.
“Sorry, I think he’s trying to use you as a scratching post. He’s due for his next allergy shot this afternoon.” Jackson consulted the calendar on his phone. “We’ve got an appointment at the vet clinic during my free period. I assume it’s okay if I leave campus for a few minutes to get that taken care of?”
Mascot caretaking was part of his job, after all.
Principal Dean gave a reluctant nod. “Fine, just—”
“Don’t be tardy,” Jackson said in perfect unison with his boss. Then he grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
The principal released a sigh of quiet exasperation as he exited the office without another word. When the door clicked shut behind him, Jackson turned toward Cade with a self-satisfied smirk.
“I knew it. I’m definitely growing on him,” he said.
“Keep on living in that fantasy land of yours, Coach.” Cade plucked a football from the desk and beamed it at him.
Jackson caught it one-handed before it smacked him in the face, then turned back to the dry-erase board where he’d been working out plays for the scrimmage this afternoon. Despite it all—the struggles at practice, the suspended players’ mysterious absences and the unprecedented silence of the Victory Club—he felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Calla’s voice played over and over in his head. Pure, perfect magic.
You’re not as alone in this as you think you are.
Someone had to believe in the impossible around here.
It may as well be him.
* * *
“Coach Knight.” The same receptionist who’d been seated at the front desk all the other times Jackson had been to the vet clinic lit up when he strode in during his free period. “It’s great to see you. You’re here for Bishop’s allergy injection, right?”
