Page 247 of Steeling Her
The one thing I find strange about a breakup is that you stop all communication.
No texts. No calls. No dinners. No dates.
Nothing.
It’s strange. You’d think that I would be used to it by now.
“Eli Becks has torn his ligament and is undergoing emergency surgery at the moment due to the impact made by Averman on his last touchdown. An investigation has been launched to see if it was an intentionally delayed tackle by Averman in the game.” I turn my attention to the TV.Averman? I haven’t heard that name since college.
“If we roll back the footage, you can see from this angle that it doesn’t look like it. However, if you see it from the other side the camera caught, it may have been just that. Averman denies the allegations made by Coach Amberson.” I wouldn’t imagine that Ryan did do that on purpose because he was losing. Yes, he’s a hothead, but he’s different on the field. He’s respectful when it comes to football and never misses or jeopardizes a chance to play for his team.
Coach Amberson is just full of ego. I’m surprised he hasn’t been removed from his position. He’s been nothing but a nuisance for the game. My dad and him do not get along, mainly because my dad has more titles under his belt. It’s not a New York Giants thing, my dad had coached different teams and brought them to a standard nobody in the game has matched. It’s doesn’t matter what team he was on, he wanted to make them the best. It always took time at the beginning, but he proved himself and now he knows what works.
He’s a great coach and everyone knows it. Except for Amberson, who has it out for him.
“It was clearly a delayed tackle; and an intentional one, might I add. The proof is in the pudding. You can see it in the play clear as day. The player should be suspended for it. This is the kind of thing that we don’t tolerate in the NFL!” I could stifle an eye roll. This guy is the type to blame everyone around him but himself and that he’s never wrong. I’ve had the ungodly pleasure of meeting him and knowing him.
He’s a tyrant.
Knock knock knock.
I place my fork down on the plate and wipe my hands and mouth with a tissue. I push myself out of my chair and walk towards the door to see who is knocking.I hope it’s not someone trying to sell me something.I hate being rude when they’re talking. One time, I stood there for thirty minutes while a guy spoke about the word of Jesus. I wasn’t interested, but I just couldn’t find the heart to tell him no thank you. He was just so passionate, I felt bad.
As soon as I pull the door open, my jaw sinks to the floor. I stand there in complete shock at the person standing out my door.
“Mr. Jackson,” I say finally after staring in shock at George Jackson, Nick’s father, for what felt like an eternity. The man who I haven’t seen in five years, who apparently meddled in my relationship with his son, is standing outside my house. “Hi, is everything okay?” I ask.
“Yes, everything is fine. I’m sorry to drop by unexpectedly, Carter. May I come in?” he asks, catching me completely off guard. Still, I push my door open and offer him to come inside to get out of the LA heat. He steps into my hallway as I shut the door behind him as an awkward silence fills the room.
I hold out my hand in the direction of the living room. “Please.” I point to him the direction to make himself comfortable. “Do you need a water or something?” I ask him.
“Water would be great,” he thanks me.
I go and fetch him a bottle from my refrigerator. All the while, I’m trying to understand why he’s here. I’m even struggling to twist the cap off for him. My hands are shaking that badly.
“Don’t worry about that, I can do it. Thanks.” He makes me jump as he stands between the threshold of the living room and kitchen.
“Oh, sure. Yeah, cool,” I stutter out nervously. The last time I saw him, he made it very much known that he didn’t approve of me. Even five years later, he makes me nervous around him. I wish Lynn was here to act as the mediator.
“Um, can we sit?” He points to the sofa and takes the water into his hand.
“Sure.” I nod and make my way into the other room with him following behind. “I didn’t know you were in town,” I start the awkward conversation that I know we’re about to have. I just don’t know if it’ll be a fight of some sort, but judging by his calm demeanor, it may not go down that way.
“It was a last minute thing, actually. I’ve never actually been here before. It’s nice out here. I can see why he wanted to come.” He looks at me and smiles, putting me a little at ease.
“I’m sorry, I’m just a little confus—”
“Yeah, I get it. I’m sorry for springing this on you tonight. You must be tired from work, but Nick came home to Mississippi this weekend. We talked . . . talked about, well, everything. We got things off our chest about what had happened five years ago, and I think I owe it to you too. I know you must be thinking it’s a little too late to come here and talk about it, and you’re right, but I have always had the mentality of it’s better late than never. And Nick kind of put it all into perspective—”
“Does he know you’re here?” I ask and interrupt him. He shakes his head, which makes me sigh. I don’t know how he will take that conversation.
“No, that’s my next stop. I thought I’d spend the night in Haley and TJ’s but that’s all a surprise. I’m pretty sure they’re already on their way home from the airport now. I know he’s staying with them, too, and Lord knows they have enough room in the house. I’ve been hearing so much about it from her.” He laughs and so do I.
“She’s proud of it,” I say.
“She definitely is, even if she didn’t pay for it,” I couldn’t hold back a chuckle. Haley likes her house and is completely decorating it to her taste, and she makes that no secret.
“Look, you’re probably wondering what I’m doing here,” he begins.
