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“Get your ass in my office. Now!”
He hung up on me. I sighed, wondering if I should finish my bagel first or not. Compromising, I took it with me as I walked across campus toward the stadium.
*
As soon as I walked in, I knew it wasn’t going to be good.
“What the hell is your problem, son?” he asked.
“I’m sorry, Coach, but I love her.”
“Sorry? I thought you were serious about football and going pro.”
“I am, Coach, but…”
“No buts,” he interrupted. “Do you know how competitive it is these days? Not very many men make it all the way to the
pros. You have a special talent, but you’re wasting it away!”
“I’m sorry, Coach,” I said, staring down at my feet.
“Quit fucking apologizing! I’ve been getting calls all day saying there will be protests and petitions and who knows what else if I don’t let you keep playing.”
I looked up.
“You’re going to let me play and stay in a relationship with her?”
“Of course not,” he said. “But I’m going to give you one more chance to make the right decision. Break it off with her until you both graduate. I don’t care what you do then, but I need you practicing twice as much as you are now. You don’t have time for puppy love.”
“It’s not puppy love, Coach. I want to be with her.”
He glared at me in silence a moment, which made me more uncomfortable than his yelling.
“Are we on the same page?”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Good,” he said. “Go get suited up and on the field. We’re doing two scrimmage games today to prepare for the playoffs coming up.”
“But I’m not agreeing to ending it with her. I can’t do that.”
His eyes narrowed as he stared at me.
“You’re fucking kidding me, right?”
“No, Coach. I’m serious.”
He sighed and put a hand on my shoulder.
“Look, son. You’re making a huge mistake. Take it from me. I was in the same position as you many years ago.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded.
“And I choose the girl. Look where I am now.”
“You’re a great coach.”
