He loses a bit of his hardness by the end of my speech. He jerks his chin toward the door, dismissing me. It’s as if I carry lead,making each step feel heavier. This man will decide my fate and there is nothing I can do.
Once in my car, I find three missed calls from Levi, so I call him right back.
“Hi, man. How are you holding up?”
I rub a hand down my face. “I just got ripped a new asshole by Coach. Said he’ll let me know what he decides.”
“It’s fine. We’ll find a solution,” he assures me. “Every team would love to have you.”
“Yeah, but he could also say I’m not a team player, that I don’t listen to my coaches. He could make things difficult for me if he wanted. It’s not like the last time when Seattle traded us after the consecutive Super Bowl wins,” I sigh, aware of the troubles piling up.
“This is bullshit. This was an extraordinary situation. And hey, at least you didn’t end up punching him like when I lost my shit.”
I chuckle, having the hotheadedness in common.
“I wanted to. You have no idea how badly I wanted to. Do you think they’ll suspend me?”
“Probably. You know it’s about the image we present to the outside world. The good part is that asshole doesn’t want to press charges. All eyewitnesses said he was being a dick, every guy insisted he would have done the same.”
Suspended. I am not as fazed as I thought I’d be.
“I don’t know how you managed all those years, man.”
“Fuck it all. Go get your girl.”
I intend to. Nothing and no one could keep me from my end goal.
“That’s the plan. You and Amelie?”
“We’re going on a date,” he says, sounding hopeful, which elevates my mood.
I smirk. “Serves you right.”
“I’ll put a ring on her finger the moment she lets me in completely. But I have a foot in the door.”
“Good luck with that.”
“I don’t need luck, asshole. We love each other,” he grumbles.
He hangs up, and I drive home. Thinking of Lilly, my problems vanish.
Inside my loft, I drop my gym bag in the corner.
Sagging on the floor, I press play on the video game.
When Coach calls, a rush of nerves has me shooting up, my palms clammy.
“You’re benched for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. People are mad at you. I’m mad at you. Your actions could cost us a Super Bowl. No one is happy about it. You’re the highest paid football player in the league and are supposed to lead by example.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, hating that I caused problems, but I know I’d do it again for her. “Anything else, Coach?”
“Nothing more to say in your defense?” His voice sounds harsh.
I rub a hand down my face, sighing. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I’ll do my best to counter what my action caused while doing my best on the field.”
“You don’t sound regretful,” he says, letting out a string of muffled curses.
“Because, Coach, I’m not. I regret not kicking his ass. That’s what I really wanted to do. I stopped because I can control myself. I also stopped because Lilly has a positive effect on me.”
