“What?” Ren asked.
Pa ignored him. He tapped my cheek with his forefinger. “I’ve been thinking about other options. You love football, but you never planned on going pro. It wasn’t your dream. But football kept you busy at times when you weren’t working on your cars and bikes. You hate stopping.”
I snorted. True. I didn’t have a lot of work coming through with fixing bikes and cars, so I’d put all my focus on football until it’d become an obsession. Clearly, not a healthy one.
“So, we need to find you something else to keep you going that won’t be detrimental to your health.”
“I have a football scholarship.” Even as I said the words, I knew where this conversation would go. We’d argued about this topic more than once.
Pa huffed. “And I have money. You don’t need the scholarship. I can pay for college. You can let it go to someone who really needs the financial assistance.”
“Pa—”
“No. It isn’t worth your well-being. You are more important than cash. If paying for your classes will make you less stressed and healthier, then it’s worth it.” He stood straighter, chin tipped up. “I’m your parent and that’s my job.Let medo it.”
How could I argue with him? But where did that leave football?
“So, I give up football and then what?”
Oli placed his bowl near the sink and came around the island to stand beside Ren. He was dressed in a loose pair of pants and a long-sleeved gray shirt, but he was handsome as ever with those big doe eyes and curls that clung to his temples. “You have plenty of options. You’re smart.”
Pa hummed. “What about working on motorcycles? You always used to like to do that? I could make some calls. Luke could make alotof phone calls if you’re fixing motorcycles.”
I blinked. “Pa, it’s early.”
“And I’m efficient.” He smiled, and while it wasn’t quite smug, it was certainly confident. I wouldn’t put it past Pa to one day aim for world domination. He was driven. “I also called around and they’re looking for a coach for a youth football team over in Havensberry.”
“On the south side?” I asked.
He dragged me to the island and passed me a piece of paper he’d printed out. On it was a picture of a group of kids, no older than ten, who were lined up for a team photo. The football padding was huge on them, but they had the kind of determined expressions on their faces that made me smile. They were hamming it up, trying to look mean.
“They come from underprivileged families. Money is regularly raised to pay for their trips and equipment. I only found out about them today, but even if you choose not to coach them, I’m going to send them money each year to help.” Pa’s face turned all gooey, an expression I didn’t see often on him.But when it came to supporting kids in need, Pa was weak. He’d told me once the weakness only took root once he’d adopted me. Every child he came across, he saw me in them.
“You have a heart after all,” Ren teased.
I winced when Pa spun toward him.
“I’d watch your tongue,MisterBooth, unless you want it cut out.”
I needed to run interference. Ren couldn’t save himself if he didn’t know he was walking into a spiderweb. He was a tiny, defenseless bug compared to Pa. “What if I want to keep playing football?”
Pa and Ren both paused and looked at me. Oli frowned in concern, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.
An ache formed behind my ribs as the conversation with Coach came back to me, the flashes of anger I’d felt twinging at me. He’d always been the kind of coach to put players first. I knew that the moment I joined the team. He’d made it clear that when the situation called for it, he’d bench us if he needed to, and we’d all agreed to his terms to play. Now I was on the receiving end of his rules, and he’d broken my heart. My will.
Everything I’d done was for football.
To my surprise, it was Ren who answered. “Then, you can play football, but you have to fight your illness first. Your coach won’t let you back on the team until you’re healthy, andwewant you to be healthy. You’re not eating properly. I made an appointment with Doctor Griffin for today.”
“You did?” Pa shot him a surprised glance.
“He’s been working with KC, and he can help him through this new development. I explained the situation, and he made room for KC.” Ren wrapped an arm around my shoulders and tugged playfully on the jersey. “Whatever you want to do, we’ll follow your lead. You’re in control of your life.” He flinchedsubtly, but I didn’t miss it. “But if your head gets bad, you come to us, okay? You talk to us.”
Andrea’s legacy would forever haunt Ren. While I’d never experienced the loss of a good friend to suicide, I understood his fear.
“I promise.”
“So, what is the plan?” Pa asked, eyeing me carefully. “You’re not better just because you woke up feeling different from last night. These emotions don’t disappear.”
