I’ve had at least a point in all three games since I got back in the lineup. I’m excited to be playing for Jamie—I’m going to have to remember to call him Coach Teller—and if Jayne and I need to start looking for a place of our own, that’s just the next step for us anyway. Living with the guys is fun, and really inexpensive, but we’re going to want a bit more privacy at some point. Especially if Lindy is with us.
“You look like a happy man,” Blaze says as we walk toward the dressing room.
“I am.” I glance over at him.
He’s been different since everything went down. Quiet. Withdrawn. Almost thoughtful. I’m still pissed at him but less so since he’s the one who told us what Coach was up to. Otherwise, something really bad might have happened to Jayne.
“I don’t know if I said it,” he says as we walk. “But I want to apologize.”
“Okay.” I’m definitely not going to let him off easy.
“I’m sorry I told Coach about you and Jayne. I thought…” He pauses. “He made me a lot of promises. Told me a lot of lies and I believed them all. I didn’t know…I didn’t realize he was trying to groom me into becoming nothing but his spy so no one would figure out he was stealing money.”
I hadn’t realized the depth of Coach’s machinations.
Blaze is really just a kid.
I probably would have made the same mistake at eighteen, trusting someone in a position of power like that.
“Apology accepted,” I say after a moment. “I appreciate you clearing that up. He’s manipulative and sneaky. Apparently, in more ways than one.”
“It wasn’t until I saw him hit Jayne that I kind of snapped out of the trance I was in. It was like he hypnotized me or something. He’s this big-time coach—everyone wanted to play for him in college, you know? And then he took an interest in me.” He shakes his head. “Anyway, I’ve got my head on straight now. Or, at least, straighter.”
I chuckle. “You’ll be okay. Just remember, loyalty is everything. If you go around stabbing your teammates in the back, no one can protect you. Not your coach, not anyone.”
“I know that now. By the way, if you know of anyone looking for a roommate, I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a place to live,sooner rather than later. I don’t think I’ll be able to stay at the house much longer. And I don’t want to anyway.”
“I’ll get back to you. Depending on what happens, Jayne and I are probably going to want to move into our own place. If that happens, there may be an opening at the house. But you’ll probably have to apologize to them too.”
He grimaces. “Yeah, but that’s okay. I’m a big enough person to admit I made a mistake. I’m going to do better going forward.”
“Good to know, kid.” I grin and make my way into the dressing room to start putting on my gear.
The first day of the next phase of my life.
Epilogue
JAYNE
Six weekslater
It’s the first week of January, and I got a call from Lourdes a little while ago, asking me to meet her at the house. Lindy has been splitting her time between staying with Bodi and me, and staying at the house with her mother, since everything blew up just before Thanksgiving. Lourdes has been flying back and forth to see her parents and didn’t want to keep taking Lindy out of school. I don’t know what that’s all about and I don’t care—I’m just glad I get to spend time with her.
Lindy’s at school, so Bodi and I are on our way over together. I don’t know exactly what she wants but she said it was important and had to do with Lindy. Last I heard, she and my father were negotiating some kind of plea deal and they’ve probably come to some sort of agreement. I’m not sure what the best possible resolution could be, but I’m willing to hear her out.
I want Lindy with me, but she’s scared and confused. She obviously doesn’t understand their legal troubles and it’s hard to explain it in terms a seven-year-old can comprehend. Some daysare better than others, but it’s mostly the back and forth that’s a problem.
“Hi.” Lourdes opens the door looking like a completely different woman. Her bleached blond hair is brown now, and without makeup she looks more her age. She’s wearing yoga pants, an oversized T-shirt, and sneakers, and the house is full of boxes.
“What’s going on?” I ask as we follow her inside.
“We sold the house,” she says, heading for the kitchen. “There’s enough equity to almost pay back the team for the money your dad took, and I sold some jewelry for the rest. We agreed to a plea deal today.” She pauses and meets my eyes. “Your dad is agreeing to pay back the money and three years in a low-security prison. I agreed to a year and will hopefully be out in six months.”
“Okay.” I’m not sure what to say.
“Here.” She thrusts a small tote at me. “There’s about twenty-five thousand dollars in there. I had it socked away for a rainy day, but you’ll need it for Lindy.”
“We don’t need money,” Bodi says quietly. “We can afford to feed and clothe her.”
