Page 152 of Steeling Her
“Why?” I ask with a hint of annoyance laced in my tone.
“I called him.” He’s really not giving me much to go by.
“Again . . . why?” I repeat myself with an exasperated huff. What the fuck are they conspiring together? I’m really annoyed, and I’ll be even worse if he doesn’t shed some light on their conversation anytime soon.
“I was wondering why you seemed distracted.” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
“Distracted? I’m not distracted, Coach . . . Bulldog can back me up—”
“Your game is off, Jackson. Bulldog agrees with me on this,” he cuts me off and I feel a slight pang of betrayal. Usually, when my game is off, Bulldog would let me know. Now, he’s kept that to himself. He’s my coach, he should tell me if I’m fucking around. He knows my game better than anyone I know. He made me the player I am today.
“Then why did you call my dad? What has he got to do with my game? I should be the one you should talk to if you have a problem with me.” I’m beginning to get animated because people are bitching about me behind my back. Just say it to my face if you’re going to have the nerve to speak to someone else about it behind my back. I don’t like being bullshitted around here. I never have and I never will. I don’t take kindly to this crap.
I watch his eyes flick up to the door behind me. Then his index finger curls, telling whoever is on the other side to come in. He then sinks into the seat with a small exhalation.
I feel my hands fist up, knowing who has entered. I know that cologne from anywhere.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I growl while still looking at Coach. I have to breathe before I turn around and face my father. He’s caused me nothing but irritation for the past few weeks. This pole lodged up his ass needs to be taken out, effective immediately.
“I’m here to talk to you and Coach, son. We need to talk about your future.” The unperturbed tone in his voice has my head snapping around to face him. I push back the chair with the backs of my legs as I stand up, towering him in the process.
“Future? I have everything sorted—”
“Sit. Now,” he warns me while shoving my shoulder back down into the seat I was restfully sitting in previously.
“Does Mom know you’re here?” I ask while gritting my teeth.
“No, and you won’t tell her. Is that understood?” I temper myself and sink into the leather seat with a squeak.
“What do you want?” I grumble, staring down at my hands, knowing full well there’s a motivation behind this visit. I know there is. It’s so unlike him to get very involved in the football program. My grandad warned him off since middle school. Now, he’s got another thing on his mind.
“Like I said, to talk.” He meets Coach with a handshake and a nod. Coach adjusts his hat in the process when I finally look up and away from my hands. I watch them both interact with each other, silently communicating something between one another—something I won’t like.
“About what? I thought grandad told you to stay out of it,” I remind him bitterly. I have this under control.
“You can’t afford to be distracted, Nick,” Coach begins again. “I can see your play has become distorted and sloppy. You’re the leader of this team, despite being co-captain. I expect you to lead the team to victory again. I don’t want your head in the clouds! I have a number of NFL teams talking to me about a few of you; you being their number one topic. They like your style of play, they’re coming to watch your next game. I don’t want you to miss this opportunity—”
“And I won’t! I’m playing just fine—” I start but get cut off by my dad.
“Playing just fine? Son, you’re not passing to Averman, you’re losing chances on the field. That can’t happen, not at this point during the season. You need to take any opportunity you have, and by not passing to him, you’re on the verge of losing the game and getting knocked out completely.” I sit in my seat and think about what he just said. Maybe I do need to pass to Ryan. The title is at stake right now, and I’d rather win it for the college than be seen as a flop.
“You’re talented kid, that’s why I give you a hard time. I want you to play for the best because that’s what you deserve and need. You need to be pushed in the right direction. You’re on the same talent level as the Steel guys. You could be the best if you just bring back that focus you once had! I can see your drive, Nick, don’t mess it up. This is your career on the line right now,” Coach compliments me.
They’re trying to steer me to focus, but I am. I’m totally focused right now. I don’t understand why they think I’m not. Coach continues, “The kid that I trained wouldn’t let anything get in the way of his chances at the NFL. Not even a girl.” I blink at what he just said. I scoff a little at what they’re implying, almost laughing. This has nothing to do with Carter.
“Nick, you need one hundred percent effort and drive, and you need it now. So, drop the deadweight that’s around your waist and push onwards.” I can see my father crouch down beside the seat I’m on as I continue to blink at nothing in particular. I gawp into the space in front of me in a complete daze.
So, this is what this meeting is about.
“She’s not deadweight dad. She’s my girlfriend,” I bark back once I finally build up enough anger inside of me to release it back at them. She’s by no means deadweight to me.
“Not for long. I want it to end. Now.” He clenches his jaw as a reminder not to push it with him, but I also want him to back off of me. I’m an adult, and what I want to do is my goddamn business. If I want to date her, I’ll date her. If I want her to be my girlfriend, she’ll be my girlfriend.
“No,” I bite back at him.
He stands up and exhales deeply, placing both hands into his pants pockets, silently telling me, “Don’t make me take them out to give you a good smack on the head boy.”
“No?” He tilts his head and adorns a blank expression. “It wasn’t a question, Nick. You will end it with her, and you will end it as soon as this meeting is finished. No son of mine is getting distracted over some girl. Especially a girl whose last name is the most famous name in NFL history, is that clear?” he threatens once again.
