“That’s it, QB, keep it up.”
I felt eyes on me as I ran the drill again. Looking around, I found Asher glaring at me. The little shit was still pissed over our last conversation about Felicity and it sucked that I couldn’t tell him the truth. But he’d get over it. He always did.
“Hey,” Cam said, jogging over to me. “You okay?”
“I’m good. Ready to kick some Brennington ass Friday.” It was our last game and we were playing at their place. Then we had a rest week before the first round of the play-offs.
“You and your dad figure things out?”
We’d barely spoken since Seniors Night but that was nothing new.
“Not really.”
“I know you’re angry at him for everything but maybe—”
“I appreciate the advice, I do.” I grunted as my hands closed around the pass from Grady. “But I’d rather not do this. You’re with Hailee now, save it for her.”
“I can be here for both of you. Besides, Hailee and her mom are patching things up.”
My brow arched. “Guess we’re not so similar after all.” Because I could barely look at my old man for his indiscretions, let alone try to smooth things over.
I guess it was different for me, though. I’d known for years who my father really was. Long before Denise and Hailee came on the scene. She was just the final straw where my mom was concerned.
So no, I wasn’t in a hurry to forgive the man who had ruined our family. But I was in a hurry to get the hell out of this town. A clean break. That’s what I wanted. To escape out from under the shadow of Kent Ford and forge my own legacy.
“Heard anything more from Thatcher? I was thinking perhaps we should have told Coach—”
“You think he doesn’t know exactly what happened with the art project? He’s not an idiot. But he can’t afford Finnigan sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“Has he said anything to you?”
“No, but he’s hinted at it.”
“So what are you going to do? Thatcher won’t—”
“If Thatcher knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay across the river until after the play-offs.”
“You really think he’ll do that, after everything?”
I didn’t, but there was no use telling Cam that. Not when he wanted to run off and tattle to Coach.
“I don’t know how many times I have to say it,” I ground out, “I can handle Thatcher.”
Cameron didn’t look convinced, but I was done arguing over something that I couldn’t change. Thatcher wouldn’t stop coming until he got what he wanted.
Me.
So it was my plan to lie low and stay out of trouble at least until we were crowned State champs.
“Jase, get over here, Son.” Coach beckoned me over with his usual crooked finger.
“He doesn’t look too happy.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I grunted, ripping off my helmet and shouldering past Cam to head for where Coach and one of the assistant coaches were talking.
“What’s up, Coach?”
The assistant coach excused himself and left us to it. Coach Hasson gripped my shoulder. “Walk with me.”
We looped around the guys and walked to the other end of the field. The air was frigid, the first signs of winter evident in the dewy grass. “Talk to me about what happened with Miss Raine’s art project.”
“We told you, Coach. It was an accident. We were moving the—”
“I know what you told me, Jase, but I’m asking for the truth.” He gave me a pointed look. “There are rumors circulating that the Eagles had something to do with it. Wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?”
“Not me, Coach.” I jammed my hands into the waistband of my pants and kept my expression neutral.
“Jase, level with me. If it comes out Thatcher and his band of idiots from across the river were responsible, I won’t be able to protect you from Principal Finnigan and we both know he’s just waiting for an excuse to pull you from the team.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Coach.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I gave him a half-smile.
“This rivalry will be the death of me.” He shook his head with frustration. “I’m going to miss the hell out of you next year, but I can’t say I’ll miss you and this Thatcher kid going at it every time I turn my back.”
“I’m so—”
“Listen to me and listen to me good, Jason. Four more games. That’s all that’s standing between you and the championship. It would be a damn shame if you ruined what has been a near perfect season because you didn’t know when to quit it. Keep your head on straight, you hear me?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I mean it, Son. If I find out you’re planning a retaliation on the Eagles, you won’t have to worry about Finnigan because I’ll be the one making you sit out. I’ve turned a blind eye for too long where the two of you are concerned. Stupid high school pranks are one thing, but when it starts affecting the people around you, that’s when it’s time to call it a day.”
If he wanted to make me feel guiltier than I already did, he’d succeeded. It slithered through my gut, twisting and tightening.
“You’re a good kid, Jason. I meant every word I said at Seniors Night, but sometimes you’re blinded to the game and that makes you your own worst enemy. From someone who remembers what it’s like to want it so bad you can’t see anything else, it’s a big old world out there, and there is room for more than just football. It doesn’t feel like it now, when you’re on the precipice of greatness, but trust me when I say, it’s true.” He gripped my shoulder again. “Now get out of here. I don’t want to see you again until we’re boarding the buses for Friday’s game, okay?”
“But, Coach, that’s still two days away.”
“I’m giving you all some well-deserved downtime. I’m not worried about Friday and neither should you be. It’s what comes after that matters. You’ve worked hard this season Jason, try being an eighteen-year-old kid for once; you never know, it might suit you.” Coach winked at me, before straightening his ball cap and strolling off toward the gym.
Downtime?
It didn’t figure into the equation. There was always something to be working toward, training for. Even when the season was over, I was in the gym working out, or working with the guys on drills. Perfecting the play, strengthening any weak links in the chain.
“Well?” Cam strolled over to me. “What’s the verdict?”
“He wants us to take some downtime.”
“Downtime? Sounds good to me.” He grinned.
It was in that split second, I realized how much we’d changed. Maybe it was Hailee or his mom being sick or the looming future, but football was no longer the most important thing in Cam’s life anymore.
Maybe it never had been.
I didn’t ever think anything would come in between us, our plans, but it had. Yet, I couldn’t blame him. I’d never seen him as happy as he was with my step-sister.
It had never been in my plan to meet someone, to let someone in. To distract me.