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Scott pales before gnashing his teeth. He looks on the verge of exploding. “Fine, I’m going,” he grumbles.
With his lips pressed tightly together, he stalks past us.
When my father is half a dozen feet away, Nick raises his voice. “Chuck, please escort this man off the grounds, and make sure he leaves university property.”
The security guard dips his chin. “You got it, Coach.”
With that, Chuck ambles after my father as he disappears across the field. When he reaches the other side, I notice a second guard waiting on a glorified golf cart they use to move around the stadium. We watch in silence as my father is followed off the field before disappearing inside the building. Once he vanishes from sight, the tension filling my body drains away, and my shoulders sag in relief. Only then do I become conscious of the suffocating silence that has fallen over us. I shift my stance and clear my throat. Coach and I have spent hundreds of hours hashing out plays and discussing the intricacies of a football game, and yet, right now, my mind is blank. I never wanted these two worlds to collide. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have a goddamn thing to apologize for.” He searches my eyes. “I hope you realize that.”
I stare at the turf and shrug.
“Hey.” When I continue to avoid eye contact, his fingers bite into my shoulder through the thick pads. “Look at me, Rowan.”
Forcing my gaze to his is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Humiliation gathers in my cheeks, making them burn with heat.
“Your father is in no way a reflection of the person you are.”
“His blood runs through my veins.” It takes effort to swallow down the rising nausea. “He’s a criminal.” I force out the ugliest part. “A murderer.”
“It doesn’t make a damn bit of difference if his DNA is part of your genetic makeup. You are nothing like him.” He gives my shoulder a good shake before bringing his face close to mine until I have no other choice but to meet the intensity of his gaze. “From the first moment you walked onto that high school football field, I knew you were something special. But it’s not your athletic ability that sets you apart from everyone else. It’s what’s in here.” He taps my chest with his fingers. “This is what matters. I’ve never met a player with more heart for the game or life. There aren’t many people I would entrust with my daughter. You’re one of the few.”
I blink away the emotion as it pricks the back of my eyes. This man is more of a father figure to me than mine could ever be. The sentiment he’s expressing means more than he’ll ever realize. I never wanted Coach to know about my father. I didn’t realize he was aware of the situation. Most of the time, I try to forget the man even exists. It was easy enough to do when he was locked away in prison. Nick Richards knowing about my past, accepting me, and continuing to stand by my side, feels like a massive weight lifted from my shoulders.
“You’ve known this entire time?”
“Yup. Your mom told me everything shortly after we met. I made a promise to her when I took you under my wing that I’d keep an eye on the situation and help steer you in the right direction. That’s all I’ve ever tried to do, Rowan. At the time, I wasn’t sure what I was taking on, but you made it easy. Right from the start, you’ve taken school, and this team seriously. You’ve walked the straight and narrow. You’ve grown into a fine young man and a real leader the other guys can look up to. You’re someone I’m proud to have coached, and I look forward to what you’re going to do with your career, as well as your life.”
I glance down, attempting to wrangle my emotions under control. “Thanks, Coach.” I want to tuck the words away and play them over and over again in my head. I’ve spent years idolizing this man. To hear him verbalize his feelings means everything.
“You’ve got nothing to thank me for. Everything you’ve achieved has been because of your drive and determination. It’s your work ethic that will get you everywhere in life. Do you understand that?”
I dip my chin in acknowledgment.
“Good.” He smiles. “Now get the hell out of here and hit the showers.”
“Okay.” With nothing left to say, I jog toward the locker room.
I’m about to disappear through the tunnel, when he calls out my name. “Rowan?”
I grind to a halt before turning around. “Yeah?”
“You hurt my little girl.” There’s a beat of uncomfortable silence. “I didn’t expect that from you.”
I suck in a sharp breath, holding it deep in my lungs until it feels like they might burst from the pressure. “All I was trying to do is protect her. I didn’t want Demi getting dragged into this mess.”
