“I owe you all an apology,” he starts. “What I did—sabotaging the drug tests—that was fucked up. I was stressed about keeping the captain position and I made a stupid decision. I’m sorry.”
The room is silent.
“I’m especially sorry to you, Cal.” He turns to Callum directly. “I accused you when I was the one doing it. That wasn’t right.”
Callum leans back against his locker, arms crossed. “Yeah. It was fucked.”
“I know. And I don’t expect you to forgive me. I just wanted you to know I’m sorry.”
“Are you still on the team?” Callum asks.
Rowan’s jaw tightens. “I tested positive. Coach benched me. Might be permanent. I don’t know yet.”
“Permanently?” Nolan sits forward. “That’s bullshit. It’s not like you’re addicted.”
“Doesn’t matter. I violated team policy. I used before a game. That’s grounds for suspension.”
Callum laughs. “Damn, Row.”
“Are you clean now?” I ask.
“Yeah. Been clean since the test. I fucked up once and I’m paying for it.”
Nolan stands up. “Maybe we can all get together for a vote. Give Coach no choice but to bring you back.”
Asher nods. “Team needs you, Row. We’ve been playing like shit since you stepped down.”
Rowan looks surprised. “You guys would vote me back?”
“Yeah,” Nolan says. “If it means we stop losing. Micah doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing, and we fucking need you.”
I exchange a look with Callum. We’ve never particularly liked Rowan. Too much ego. Too much attitude. But Nolan’s right. The team has been falling apart without him at center.
“I vote yes,” I say.
Callum takes longer. He stares at Rowan and makes him squirm.
“Fine. I vote yes too,” Callum says.
The rest of the guys in earshot start nodding.
Relief floods Rowan’s face. “Seriously?”
“Don’t make us regret it,” Callum warns.
The locker room door slams open. Jax walks in. He sees Rowan and stops.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Team vote,” Nolan says. “We’re bringing him back.”
Jax’s eyes narrow. “Who voted?”
“All of us,” Asher says.
“Well, I vote no.”
Callum sits up. “Jax—”
