Page 72 of Shattered Dreams

“So, are you going to tell me why I’m here easily?” I ask with a smirk.

She smirks right back. “I forgot who I’m dealing with. You already know how this goes.”

“I prefer to get right down to business. Why waste time?”

“Agreed.” She leans back, regarding me a moment before beginning. “I said we wanted you to re-vamp our program, and that’s exactly what we mean. We’re willing to pay a hefty salary and cover moving expenses, along with offering a realtor to help you find the perfect house for you and your daughter.”

I don’t know why her being so forward and putting everything out there throws me, but I’m speechless.

I had a feeling this was what she was getting at when we spoke on the phone. At least, I knew it was a possibility. I hoped it would only be a temporary thing because, truthfully, I don’t want to have to make this decision. But I moved forward with this for a reason. To be absolutely sure I wasn’t overthinking things, and now I’m here, facing a really difficult choice. I did this to myself, so I only have myself to blame.

“That’s definitely putting it all out there,” I say, side-eyeing her.

“You said you don’t like to waste time. I figured there was no need to butter you up. You came here, and that tells me you’re at least a little interested.”

“I’m curious,” I say.

A slow smile forms on her lips. “Okay. You’re curious. What questions do you have?”

I lean forward, resting my forearms on the table.

“You want me to take over the team and redo the entire program?”

“Yes. Though we’ve done well over the past years, we’re trending down. We don’t want to lose what we’ve built, so we need someone good. Someone who isn’t afraid to try new things, who has a phenomenal record, and can grow with the team and the university. You check all of those boxes, Mr. Taylor.”

“Are you sure this has nothing to do with wanting the fame and recognition of having an ex-NFL coach at your school?”

She laughs. “I figured you might say that, and I won’t lie to you. Yes, it was brought up, and there are plenty of people who are excited about the thought, of course.. But it’s your skills that we want, Andre. Not just your name. You were a top pick for Brighton, and your high school record speaks for itself, too. And I doubt those skills have diminished over the years. You’ve just utilized them differently, and that is what New Haven U needs.”

“How long do I have to make a decision?”

The food comes as she opens her mouth to answer. We get our plates and the waiter asks if we need anything else. We both say no, and then we’re left alone again.

“It’s negotiable. We know this is something that will take time, and we also know how important transitions are not just for us, but for the team, too. So you wouldn’t start coaching immediately.”

“Who is coaching now? They know they won’t be staying?”

“Garth has agreed to stay until we find a replacement. He’s ready to retire, take that trip to Alaska he’s been talking about for the last decade.”

She smiles as she starts to cut up her salad and adds the dressing, pushing it aside to move her soup in front of her. I pick up my silverware, but now I don’t feel like eating anything. Still, I force it down, thinking about what I need to ask.

“What are your hold-ups?” she asks as she stirs her soup. Chicken and rice, I think.

“Well, I just bought a house. My daughter just got established not only in the house, but at school, and a schedule with her grandparents. You know I lost my wife—”

“Of course. I’m sorry about that. It must be hard.”

“It is,” I say firmly. “Rylee has just settled in. Plus, there’s Paul and Maddox—”

I’m shocked I said that out loud, but I can’t take it back now.

“Is that more family?” she questions, as she lifts her spoon to her mouth to blow on the soup.

“He’s my best friend and his son. They’ve been living with me because their apartment burned down.”

“Wow, that’s awful.”

“Yeah, it’s been crazy, but somehow we’ve made it work. It’s a lot to leave behind.”