“That’s good, son.” Folding his hands on his desk, he shakes his head. “I wish you had told me the whole story the first time you came to see me so I could prepare myself in case this story got out, but I understand why you didn’t, and I want you to know I believe you.”
That makes my throat tighten. No one in my hometown ever believed me or believed in me. This man always has, from the very beginning. The older I get, the more I realize that trust is everything in this world.
He shuffles through a stack of messages. “Now, I wish I could say you are out of the woods, but I still need to talk to the provost, who’s also been flooded by media requests.”
Dread seeps through my veins. “Am I in trouble with the school? For, like, conduct violations or with my eligibility?”
“Can’t say just yet. It’s possible. I’ll know more on Thursday when the board of conduct meets.” My stomach threatens to drop outta my ass. And then he levels me with a stake to the heart. “We’re tentatively starting Meyers on Saturday.”
Meyers.My backup who’s barely played this season. Against Texas, our biggest rivals who are undefeated.
“Are you serious?” What the ever-loving fuck?
“I’m sorry, but if you aren’t allowed to play, I need a backup plan. We’ll see how things play out in the media this week. See if we can spin this the right way. I want you to meet with our public relations expert. In the meanwhile, I’m hoping for the best and planning for the worst.” His lips tighten, his eyes full of regret. “I think you should do the same.”
I nod and agree, but the truth is, I’m worried my career just got tanked by one night and a stupid decision to eat some girl’s brownies.
How am I supposed to support my daughter as a washed-up football player with mediocre grades?
He keeps talking, but the only thing I hear is my lifelong dream might be over.
58
GABBY
“This is bullshit!”Tank roars from his side of the couch. Bree pats his back and gives me a worried look.
Rider paces from one end of the living room to the other and back again while everyone complains.
Even though that conversation I had with Miranda and Zoe this afternoon is eating at me, I do my best to focus on the current crisis.
The guys called a household meeting after practice. The practice Rider was not allowed to attend. But he came home and hit their weight room, which also has a treadmill, and got in a workout in case he’s allowed to play this weekend.
Based on the private conversation he had with Sully, there’s a whole range of potential consequences, several of which result in getting kicked off the team. He’s understandably devastated.
Poppy’s upstairs in bed, and I have the monitor in my lap while everyone commiserates over the crushing news.
“Meyers is scared of his shadow. He’ll never pull this off if you can’t start.” Knox groans.
Rider points at him. “Don’t say that shit this week. If I can’t play, he’s our best bet. You better build him up. That kid has some good instincts. He just needs confidence, people to believe in him.”
“He’s not you.”
“But he could be. Look, I didn’t fall into this position freshman year with the skills I have now. Sully might have kicked my ass day in and day out, but he filled me with positive thoughts. Made me think I could do it.”
Tank leans forward to grab his can of soda. “Coach is the O-line whisperer, man. It’s true. You know he loves the offense. We’re his boys.”
“Regardless of how you feel about Meyers, you need to keep the negativity on lockdown. Give him what you give me, and he might surprise you.”
The room goes quiet. Until my brother, of all people, speaks up.
“It feels disloyal to you.” He shifts uncomfortably. “You and I have had our differences”—he gives me a quick glance from across the room—“but you kick ass on the field. You make it fun. I don’t know—maybe you channel all that stuff Coach tells you and you funnel it into us, but our time here wouldn’t be the same with a different man at the helm. You’re the heart of our team. Just want you to know I have your back. We all do.”
Rider cracks a smile, the first one I’ve seen all night, and Tank sniffles and holds up a fist. “That’s beautiful, man. I feel that.” He pounds his chest. “I feel it right here, brother. Right here.”
After he clears his throat, Rider nods. “I appreciate that. More than you know. I don’t think I need to say this, but y’all have my permission or whatever to support Meyers. You’re not being disloyal. I know you’ve got my back, and I’ll never forget it.”
When the meeting’s over, Rider sinks on the recliner. “I’m so tired, my eyes hurt.”
