Page 85 of Just One Kiss

“I just want to talk to the guy—give me some credit.” He turned on his heel and walked down the hall toward the gym, where the athletic director’s office was.

Josh followed Cole into a small room where three men were seated, one behind a desk. That one stood as soon as they passed through the door.

“Turner,” he said. “Good practice this morning?”

“Yes, sir,” Cole said. “Boys are strong this year.”

“Strong enough for a state title?”

“Think maybe so, sir,” Cole said.

The man behind the desk looked at Josh.

“JR, you remember Josh Dixon.”

“Josh Dixon—as I live and breathe.” JR stuck his hand out toward Josh, then looked at the other guys in the room. “One of the best receivers I’ve ever seen, this guy.”

JR Houston had been a year ahead of Josh and Cole in high school—the quarterback they all looked up to.

“Josh, this is Bilby and Ted.” Cole motioned toward the other two guys in the room.

“What brings you back here?” JR asked.

“My kid’s having surgery today,” Josh said. “Came to talk to the ski coach.” He looked at Ted. “That’s you?”

Ted stood. “It is.”

“You gave an interview in the newspaper. Said Jaden wouldn’t be reliable this year—that he wouldn’t be strong enough to play.”

“With a heart condition?” Ted laughed. “Is that far-fetched?”

“You don’t know my son,” Josh said. “Or his condition.”

Ted’s eyes narrowed. “The doctor was pretty clear.”

“The doctor was wrong.” Josh didn’t know that for sure, but at the moment, it didn’t matter. He’d decided it was true.

“Josh just wants to make sure you’ll give him a fair shake,” Cole said. “Jaden’s our strongest skier by a long shot.”

“Oh, I know all about Jaden,” Ted said. “Been training with Grady Benson.”

“That’s right.”

“He’s a family member or something? Isn’t that right?”

“He’s an Olympic gold medalist,” Josh said.

“Doesn’t matter a bit to me,” Ted said. “When we start practice, all the guys are the same. They all have to prove themselves to earn their spot.”

“Well, telling the newspaper a bunch of garbage about Jaden’s condition isn’t going to do much for his morale, Ted,” Josh said. “All I’m asking is you stop talking to reporters when you don’t have the first clue what you’re talking about.”

“Now, Josh.” JR stuck out his hand as if to calm him down.

“I had a long conversation with Dr. Roby—”.

“Look, Coach,” Josh cut in, “skiing is the most important thing in Jaden’s life. He plans to get back to it once he’s recovered—and quotes like the ones you gave the paper, they aren’t going to help. That’s all I’m saying.”

“That’s fair.” Ted crossed his arms over his chest. “But the doctor made it clear—”

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