Page 113 of More Than Chemical
“Maybe today. More likely tomorrow. And, Ade, I’m sorry. I’m not going to have the time to do a media interview at this point.”
I nodded and kept trying to swallow. With my dad stuck in jail, me whining about my insomnia problem was completely inappropriate.
As I walked to the back of the courtroom where Priya and Emma sat with confused looks on their faces, I numbed. Like when I’d jumped into frozen Lake Nokomis a few weeks ago. But this time, it wasn’t only my arms and legs that I couldn’t feel. It was my whole body.
I thought after today everything would be resolved—well, everything except for getting Dallas’s eligibility reinstated—but things weren’t even close. After Gray figured out how to get Dad back home with Mom, then we all had to get through two more weeks until the sentencing.
Forty-One
The Evidence
Ipaced back and forth in my dorm room, my wireless earbuds in my ears. I could cover the entire space in five steps.Only five steps.No wonder I felt like a lioness in a cage.
My phone rang, and I quickly turned it over.
Finally. Eric.
I pressed answer. “What did he say?”
“Whoa, Ade.” Eric chuckled. “I literally just got off the phone with him. Give me a second to process.”
I sighed. It was already Wednesday, and I’d been patient now for five days. It had taken that long for a telephone meeting between Plunkett and my brother to come together. But now I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to know if the guy would do it. Would he reinstate Dallas’s eligibility?
“Okay. So, he said some interesting stuff.”
“Like?”
“Apparently, when an athlete is involved in an NCAA rule violation, the school must declare the athlete ineligible.After that, the school usually investigates, gathers facts, and submits a reinstatement request to the NCAA if deemed appropriate. In Dallas’s case, however, no one has instituted an investigation because there has not been any pressure to do so. If Dad had not been terminated, it would have been him putting the pressure on. The new coach hasn’t done a thing.”
“Omigod. That’s absurd.”
“I know.”
“Anyway, Plunkett says if evidence can be gathered that shows that Dallas is no longer in violation of the rules, then he’d consider requesting the reinstatement.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, if Dallas gave the money back, I suppose he wouldn’t be in violation anymore for having taken money.”
“During Dallas’s testimony, he said that his dad had.”
“Well, then I guess Plunkett would need documents to prove that.”
“Got it.”
“You want me to call Dallas and ask him about it?”
“No. I’ll do it. I’ll go talk to his dad and get what we need.”
“You know his dad?”
“Sort of.”
I ended the call and went to dig through the pocket of the coat I wore the night of the ice cross competition. I pulled out Dallas’s dad’s business card just as Priya came walking in our door. His name, Michael Reynolds. His title, car sales consultant. Below, the dealership’s name, address, and phone number.
“Hey,” she said, going straight to her desk to dump her coat and backpack. “What’s up?”
“Eric talked to Plunkett.” I put the card in my back pocket.
