I sank down into the bubbles and hoped the soap would wash away all thoughts of my past, my mother, and Adam.
Chapter Four
ADAM
Iwas always late. I growled as I threw my truck into park. Granted, the snow-slush mix everywhere didn’t help. I expected my players to be respectful and on time, even on an early Monday morning practice right after Thanksgiving break.
And yet, here I was, late.
I was doing my best.
My best to build a team and teach these boys to believe in themselves. On top of that, play the right players and avoid angry parents and town gossip. Throw in the mix be a single dad and hopefully not ruin Danny’s life.
I pulled Danny past the signs for the upcoming high school dance and into the gym. He refused to get dressed this morning. Kept pulling off and throwing his shirt. He wanted the one with no tags, but it was dirty. I even tried ripping off the other shirt’s tag, but he still refused. I finally found another shirt with no tags, and then he made a huge ordeal about his socks.
The boys lined up on the black out-of-bounds line and were running ladders. The team captain, Jacob, had taken control of the group.
They were good kids.
Danny followed me, rubbing his eyes, and walked over to the bleachers, four rows up and into the middle, his designated spot he always chose. He yawned and turned on his tablet.
I felt guilty everywhere I looked.
Guilty I had let the boys down by being late, and guilty that I hadn’t let Danny sleep in longer. These early morning practices were going to kill me. I made sure Danny had what he needed, changed my shoes, and rushed onto the court.
“Sorry I’m late, guys. I know it’s not respecting your time.” I looked at Jacob. “How about we have a shoot off to see how many pushups I have to do after practice?”
He chuckled. “You’re on.” It was important to me that they saw I didn’t ask them for something that I wasn’t willing to do.
The team rallied around me. Jacob said they were done with warm-ups. We spent the rest of the forty minutes working on plays, running drills, and ended with a free-throw competition that had me doing thirty-five pushups. I ran laps at the end with the team until my lungs and legs burned.
“All right, boys, circle up.” I motioned my finger like a lasso in the air. The team tightened around me. “Remember, we have a game tomorrow. Keep those grades up and get a good night’s sleep. Treat yourself to a carb-friendly dinner tonight.” The boys nodded.
I looked at Jacob. “Captain, count us off.”
Jacob smiled and put his hand in the middle, the team followed his lead. “Okay, Eagles on three. One, two, three, Eagles!”
The boys headed to the bleachers to grab water bottles or off to the locker room and the showers. We had about thirty minutes until school started.
I leaned against the wall, catching my breath, and stretching out my calves. There was something about the high energy and competitive nature that made time fly.
I was exhausted, but in a good way. Not fromlife or things I couldn’t control. But from pushing my body to its limit and having it answer.
Jacob took the stairs two at a time up to Danny. He gave him a high five and said something. Danny nodded but didn’t meet his eyes. I remembered what he said about it making him uncomfortable. Was it okay that he didn’t look them in the eye when they talked to him? Would the boys care?
Ethan was by Danny too. He was a freshman on JV, but we often practiced at the same time. He liked to help Danny with the water bottles at Varsity games when JV wasn’t playing. I’d been impressed with his work ethic and his kindness to Danny.
I made my way toward the bleachers.
Two teenage girls opened the double doors facing the outside. They were giggling as one pushed the other farther into the gym.
“Can I help you, ladies?” I asked as the girls turned bright red. Jenny, the cheer captain and Jacob’s girlfriend, stepped forward.
“Umm…yeah.” She cleared her throat and pulled her blond ponytail over her shoulder. “If you are done with practice, I was wondering if Jacob was here.”
She held a poster board with candy bars at her side. Looks like someone was getting asked to the dance.
“Jacob,” I called toward the bleachers, “someone’s here to see you.” I nodded at the double doors. “Danny, let’s go to my office until I need to take you to class, bud.” I looked at Ethan. “Nice hustle today, Ethan.”
