He throws his head back and laughs. “We both have crazy sisters.”
“Yeah, we do.” I sigh and think about my sister Cami, who on more than one occasion has done crazy shit. She’s been compared to Beth Dutton fromYellowstone. Combine her with Poppy and it’ll be quite the storm. Those two are going to be so mad when they find out that Coach put his hands on Owen and said those things. I don’t even know how to begin to tell her any of this.
“Owen.” I nudge his shoe. “You can’t be scared to call us. We’re your family. You always call when you need us no matter what.”
His throat bobs as he swallows. “I just don’t want to botherPoppy. She’s stressed, Ollie. She isn’t doing good with money. I think my dad comes and takes it from her.”
My jaw locks so hard it hurts. I’m not sure all of the details of her and Sully’s arrangement, but I don’t like it one bit. Sully’s only done three things right in his life. Marry Grace, and have Poppy and Ollie, and that’s it. He doesn’t deserve any of them.
“Even when it’s stressful, we gotta know what’s going on. We can talk to Poppy together.”
Owen nods and pulls his knees up in the chair. “Everything has been hard lately. But you help us. And the guys, too. We’re lucky to have you.”
“Hey.” I tilt his chin up, so he sees me. “We’re the lucky ones, bud.”
The crew pretends not to watch, but they are all listening. That is what we do here. We keep our eyes on our people.
I pull out my phone to text Poppy.
Me: How’s your day going?
Poppy: Swamped. Think you could get Owen from tryouts today? He’s nervous he won’t make the team. I hate that coach.
Oh, I hate him too. And she’s going to hate him even more when I tell her tonight what happened.
Me: No problem. Get caught up. I’ll get him all set and bring him home after.
Poppy: You’re a lifesaver! Thanks!
Later, when my shift ends, I drive Owen back to the school for basketball tryouts. He keeps his head down, but he walks a little taller than this morning.
Principal Masters steps out of the gym the moment he sees us. He looks like a man who has aged five years since lunch.
“Owen,” he says carefully. “I’m sorry about earlier. Coach Toddy won’t be coming back.”
Owen nods, polite but still leery, and I can’t say I blame him. I still don’t trust Principal Masters either.
“Who’s coaching?” I ask, seeing all the boys lined up on the court, practicing free throws. They keep anxiously glancing around, and it dawns on me that they’re looking for Toddy. Asshole probably made these kids so nervous.
Masters sighs. “We don’t have a coach lined up to replace Toddy, yet.”
“I’ll do it,” I say before I even think. It just comes out.
Masters looks surprised. “You will?”
“Sure.” I shrug.
Masters straightens and looks me in the eye. “Thank you. For what it’s worth, you’d make a much better coach.”
“Listen,” I tell him. “Owen’s not my kid, but I don’t let anyone mess with him—or anyone else’s kid, for that matter. I’d commit war crimes to protect any of these kids. I’ll keep them all safe. That much is true. That should be your focus. Keeping kids safe.”
Masters’ eyes widen before he nods hard. “Thank you. I’ll email you a few forms I need you to fill out for the district, but you’ve volunteered for us before, so it shouldn’t be a problem as long as you don’t punch anyone.”
Owen grins up at me like I just promised him the moon.
“You got it,” I agree, except for the punching part. I’d do it again if I needed to.
We step closer to the court. Nervous kids dribble basketballs and check over their shoulders. I skim down the roster and see fifteen names—a perfect team. No one needs to be cut. Owen told me Toddy threatened to cut almost all of them. That makesmy teeth grind all over again. They should be having fun, not being threatened and bullied by a coach.
