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“I can cut him from the team for not showing up to class and shirking his responsibilities for the last week.”
“Do it, and you won’t see Caleb ever again. I’ve lived without a mother, and I’ll figure out how to live without a father if it means that Caleb will have a positive role model. Reed dropped everything last week to help me with Caleb.”
“Brooke, stop.” I rub her back. “I need to talk to your dad alone.”
“No.”
“Yes. Please. I’ll call you when I leave.”
She presses on her toes, kissing me on the cheek, then glares at her dad. “Okay. I need to check on Lettie and Dane.”
He walks around and sits in his desk chair as I sit across from him, back to the more familiar coach-player interaction. “You’ve met Caleb?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Hmm.” He removes the Stallions Hockey cap from his head, scratching through his hair. “You’ve been lying to me. You’ve come to practice every day since… since when?”
“A month or so.”
He chuckles. “And you think you’re in love?”
Who said love? Those words ring in my mind, but I refrain from voicing my feelings to her protective father. I’m glad she has her dad in her corner. I would love to have someone in mine. Before professing my love for his daughter, there are steps I need to take. So, silence prevails as I navigate the delicate territory of my coach’s approval.
He asks, "Or does she merely believeshe’sin love? Which is it?"
Taking a deep breath, I gather my thoughts and respond respectfully, "We haven't explicitly exchanged those three words, sir, but I genuinely care for her. She’s more than an inspiration to me. Brooke is extraordinary, juggling two jobs, pursuing an education, and wholeheartedly caring for Caleb."
His nod acknowledges her commendable qualities, yet an underlying hesitance remains. I understand his doubt, the belief that I am undeserving of her. In a surprising moment of agreement, I find myself confessing, "I admit that I may not be good enough for her at this very moment. However, I’m striving to improve myself in an effort to become the man she deserves."
“Reed, I’m not upset that you’re dating my daughter…well, a little bit, but I’m angry that you lied to me. I can’t trust you.” He taps the top of his pen against a pad of paper. “I thought I could trust you. I’ve done so much for you.”
“Sir, we just wanted to make sure it didn’t fizzle out. We wanted to tell you before the world knew.”
“Have you informed her of your childhood?”
A heavy sigh escapes me, causing my shoulders to slump as I feel the weight of disappointment settle upon me. The air I exhale can fill an entire room of balloons at a children's birthday party. "No, sir," I confess, my voice tinged with remorse. "I had planned to tell her last night. We were deep in conversation about what transpired at Broadhurst University when Lettie called."
The coach's stern expression remains unwavering as he delivers the verdict. "You're benched, not suspended, until further notice for breaking team rules," he declares firmly, each word landing with resolute gravity. "Not a single missed class, study hall, weight room session, or team meal. You need to prove your commitment to the team and improve your grades." His figure rises from the chair, his authoritative presence filling the room. "And as for Brooklyn, you need to be honest with her about everything. If she truly loves you, I will support your relationship."
With those final words, he exits the office, allowing the door to slam shut behind him. I’m left alone in the silence, the weight of his expectations and the consequences of my actions sinking into my soul.
The locker room is empty with the exception of Flynn. “You’re not dead. I guess it went well.”
If this was happening to anyone else but me, Flynn’s remark would be funny. I pull my clothes from my locker, changing on the spot, wanting to shower at home and think about what I need to do.
“He benched me.”
“He can’t do that. What about our line?”
“He can, and he did. Not for dating Brooke behind his back—for violating team rules and responsibilities, or so he says.”
Flynn slaps me on the back. “Hope she’s worth it. Because this didn’t just fuck you, it fucked Dawes and me too.”
He waits for me to respond and when all I give him is a simple nod, he leaves me alone with my thoughts.
It doesn’t last long when Brooke calls. “Are you finished? What did he say?”
“I won’t be playing for a while.”
