Page 38 of The Way We Fight

“Coach? Got a minute?”

I looked up to see Cam walking into my office, so I sat up and tried to look less manic in the presence of my quarterback. “Sure, what's up?”

He sighed and sat down, leaning back to get comfortable in the chair that sat in front of my desk. I was surprised to see him; he was usually one of the first to leave after practice.

“I just wanted to check on you. Seems like no one else is.” He looked down at his phone and thumbed a message out before he looked back up at me. “Told Kace where to find me.”

I nodded, knowing his best friend Kace was always around when he could be. He was a professional baseball player for the Atlanta Kings, and they were infamous best friends. I knew all about him, and he knew enough about the Jets to know where my office was and how to get there. I imagined he would be walking in soon, so I wanted to hurry and end the conversation.

“I’m good, Nichols. What makes you ask?”

“Richard seems to be acting like a dick, Ty having his issues is stressful, your brother has been bouncing between staying with you and going home, the line judge seems to be getting under your skin, and the bruises I have seen on your face here and there has me really worried.”

I bowed my head, not sure how to respond or how upset I should be. I was glad he was concerned about me, but not one thing he mentioned was something I could talk about, except for my brother.

“Rhys is staying at my place to stay out of Miami, but he has to go back for his doctor’s visits.”

Cam nodded but stayed quiet, hoping I elaborated on more.

“Ty can fill you in on his trouble if he wants to, but it’s not my place to say. And the rest is something I’m not sure even exists.”

“Where are the bruises coming from?” His voice was deep, like that was really the only thing he wanted to ask in the first place.

I decided to tell him just a little out of the respect I had for him. I also knew he had been through quite a bit as well in the past year and had a tendency to worry. I didn’t need him worrying over me.

“Honestly, Cam, I started boxing as a workout and I am not very good at it.”

His eyes narrowed in on me, trying to determine how much of what I had just said was a lie. Other than the word “boxing” it was all a lie. I hadn't just taken it up for a workout and I was fucking good at it.

“Hey,” I heard Kace’s voice before I saw him walk into the office. He looked between Cam and I and started to back out, sensing there was something going on that needed to be settled. If he left, Cam would call me out on the lie I just told.

“Kace,” I stood up and walked around to the front of my desk, shaking Kace’s hand because it had been a while since I had seen him. “How are you?”

“Good, Coach, good. Should I give you a minute?” He glanced at Cam for his question, but Cam already started to let it all go. Kace had that effect on him. They fed off one another in a way that was rare between men. Their lifelong friendship and the fact that they shared a girlfriend, had brought them even closer. If it hadn't been for Kace, Cam might not be the wizard on the field that he was or the good human that he was off the field.

Cam stood up hesitantly, “No, we’re done. I just needed to check on Coach.”

“All good, Cam. I promise.”

“Come on,” Kace pulled Cam by the shoulder. “Ali is at home waiting; this is our last night all together before I have to leave town again.”

A little jealousy rose up every time I thought about how lucky they were to have not only each other but someone they loved enough to hurry home to. It was always easy to forget how lonely I was until I was around some of the guys that were blissfully happy.

As they left, I sank back down in my chair and added envy to the list of things making my head spin and my body ache. Little by little, I felt like I was being chipped away at, unsure if I would ever feel the same as I used to before things got so chaotic.

How did my life become all about secrets, rage, and drama? It wasn't the day I became a coach, because the feelings I had didn’t exist in previous years. I was perfectly content with my life, my job, and my future.

So, when did it all change?

I asked myself that question, but I already knew the answer. My life changed when I was summoned to New York. That one night changed my entire outlook on everything and twisted me into the madman I was.

And the craziest part was, it wasn’t because of Charleigh “Apple” Wright.

Chapter23

Charleigh

Iwalked the sidelines, waiting for the game to start.

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