“I was impressed with yourhustle, D-line. I can tell you’re working hard.” I look from Darnell to Rome. “You’re going to win us the game one of these times.”
From there, I go down the row, Noah to Rich to Tyreek to Flynn, finishing up with my boy Austin. “It’s your year, buddy.”
He nods, and I give him a warm grin.
Only Levi stands at the edge, looking at the turf.
Reaching out, I pat his arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow, and I want to see more teamwork.”
The boy’s lips press into a frown, but he nods. “Yes, sir, Coach.”
“Go, Captains!” Kimmie pumps her little arms over her head from where she sits on my hip, and it breaks the tension.
All the boys exhale a smile, and with that, I leave them, going to my truck and driving home.
Kimmie’s tucked in bed,and I’m exhausted. Walking through the house, I’m keyed up, and everything about the confrontation on the field burns in my memory.
It’s been a minute since I was that pissed. It was the first time in a long time I’d wanted to punch a man square in his stupid face.
I didn’t even want to be with my family at the restaurant tonight. I carried Kimmie to the truck, and we came home and had a dinner of frozen pizza and chicken nuggets, which she thought was special.
I sent her up to bathe, preparing myself to clean up a big mess. I was not prepared for her to yell for me to come catch her as she jumped out of the tub. Of course, I trudged up the stairs and held the towel for her to jump into my arms, then dried her off and helped her get ready for bed.
ReadingDogzillahelped my mood some, but even after prayers and my own shower, I’m still knotted up inside. Partof it is the confrontation, but a bigger part is I wish I’d talked to Allie before I left.
I should’ve made sure she was okay. She was right there in the middle of it listening to his accusations, hearing him say terrible things about her.
Levi’s dad is an asshole, and the things he said were way out of line. Still, I’ve dealt with parents like him before. Hell, I’ve dealt with worse parents than him.
I’ve seen men trying to relive their glory days through their sons, and I’ve seen men with obvious addiction issues try to smack one of my players right in front of me.
Every time, I’ve handled them firmly and finally. The abusers I tell to stop hitting their kids or I’m calling child protective services. For the rest, I make it clear, if they want their sons on my team, they’ll keep their shit at home.
Until today.
Seeing how he treated his own son is the one thing that helped me regain control. That, and my little girl walking right into the middle of the whole thing and holding up her hands to me. She and the boys help me remember what matters.
But I should’ve gone to Allie.
I should’ve made sure she wasn’t embarrassed or hurt or anything. I should’ve made sure Austin didn’t take what George said to heart.
I should’ve made sure the people who matter to me know I care.
Rubbing a hand over my face, I look up at the clock. It’s almost eleven, and Kimmie’s in bed asleep. I can’t go over there now.
Picking up my phone, I see a string of texts on the screen.
Garrett
Bruh, where are you?
Logan
I can’t believe I missed it all. I was talking to Rich.
Zane
I only caught the tail end—that guy was way out of line. Is Levi off the team?
