Page 95 of More Than Chemical
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I am NCAA ineligible.”
“Because?”
“It is a violation of NCAA rules to accept money to sign with a specific school.”
“So your dreams were dashed.”
“I suppose they were. At least, the dreams I had in that moment.”
“Thank you, Mr. Reynolds.”
There was silence. Some paper shuffling. I gazed at the floor because I couldn’t—couldn’t—look at Dallas.
None of this had anything to do with me, but every muscle in my body quivered. My head was woozy. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t told me about his deal with my dad, about his ineligibility.
The judge nodded to Gray.
He got up from behind his table. “I have only a couple of follow-up questions, Mr. Reynolds.”
Dallas sat a little straighter.
“How can you say the money was from Coach Bianchini if you didn’t actually get it directly from him?”
“Because I gave him my dad’s bank account information.”
“But he didn’t actually hand you a check, is that correct?”
“No. It came as an electronic deposit.”
“Did you ever meet with representatives of Achilles Incorporated?”
Dallas paused, then leaned into microphone. “I spoke with them on the phone.”
“Did they talk about money with you?”
“They did.”
“And what did they say?”
“That they were working with Coach Bianchini to help me out financially because of my mother’s death.”
“So, did you think the money that you were going to get was going to come from Coach Bianchini or from Achilles Incorporated?”
“Well, it must have been Achilles because?—”
“Thank you, Mr. Reynolds. I didn’t ask you to explain.”
“But I need to. I want to. It must have been Achilles money because my dad gave it back to them.”
“Thank you again, Mr. Reynolds.”
Gray walked to the stenographer. “For the record, the witness said he believed the money was coming from Achilles Incorporated.
“I have nothing further.” Gray walked back to his seat.
