Page 150 of Redemption
Theo turns his head from his son and looks at me like he could run through me.
I’d let him if he tried.
MJ steps forward beside his bed, ignoring his mom and stepdad, and leans down. “How are you feeling, kid?”
One side of his lips lifts in an attempt at a smile. “Like I got trucked by a linebacker.”
“Well, kid,” she says, holding his hand, “you did. That hit was nasty.”
Theo speaks up, “And it will be the last one he takes.”
Tanner’s head whips toward his dad, wincing in pain from the sudden movement. “What? What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. Son, you are putting your life at risk, and I won’t allow it anymore. My lawyer filed for emergency custody. It was granted this morning.”
“What?” Josephine screeches, finally looking up from her phone. “Hilary. I’m going to have to call you back. Yes, we’re still on for brunch tomorrow. Goodbye.”
She ends the phone call and stands up, glaring down at where Theo still sits in his chair beside their son’s hospital bed. “Who gave you permission to file for emergency custody?”
The condescension in her voice is so thick I’m not sure how it doesn’t choke her. But Theo doesn’t mind. He just snorts and stands his ground.
“Contrary to what you think, Josephine, I don’t need your permission. All I needed was a signed letter from Dr. Harrison explaining the situation with Tanner and your decision to lethim play, and the judge agreed that you were putting him in danger. Now, I have custody, and you no longer have a say.”
Josephine’s face turns white, and Eric steps up behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder. “I want to see the court order.”
“Hey,” MJ says, stepping in. “maybe we should take this outside and let Tanner rest.”
Theo ignores her and shrugs. “That’s fine. It’s in my truck. But it doesn’t change the fact that Tanner will no longer be playing football.”
“And don’t I get a say in this?” Tanner asks, rage burning in his eyes.
“No, son, you don’t. You’re not making good decisions for yourself, and your mom has allowed that. She’s manipulated you into believing that you can only be loved if you win a stupid game, and I’m sorry I let you stay in that situation for so long.”
“I hate you,” Tanner screams. “I hate all of you.”
I step up from where I’d been standing by the door to attempt to calm him down. “Hey, let’s talk about this.”
“I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to talk to any of you.” He’s hysterical at this point, and I worry that he’s going to make himself sick. He’s already been puking from the concussion based on the bucket that’s sitting beside him, ready for when he needs it.
Dr. Harrison steps in the door, a look of concern on his face.
“Folks. I’m going to have to ask you to step out. Tanner, you need to calm down and rest. That’s the only way you’ll get better.”
“Coach, tell him he can’t make me quit.” Tanner’s voice breaks, begging me to make Theo change his mind, but I can’t—I won’t because he’s a father trying to save his son.
“I can’t do that, Tanner.”
He doesn’t have to scream to get his next words across. “Then I hate you, too.”
I open my mouth to say something back, but I can’t get the words out.
What I want to say is, “Join the club because you can’t hate me any more than I hate myself for putting you here.”
But I don’t.
Instead, I close my mouth and dip my head, willingly accepting what he’s saying.
“Tanner Sylvis, how dare you scare me like that,” a young voice says from the doorway, and when I turn my head, there’s Bella, decked out in her band uniform and glaring at Tanner.
