Page 33 of Shape Of My Heart
“Hey, why don’t we try to get him out of the car,” Coreystated.
Amy was grateful for the suggestion. “Thanks,” shetoldhim.
He took Josh’s arm and managed to move him around. Once he had Coach Simpson on the other side the both of them lifted Josh to stand. The action made him stir and Amy’s heart leapt as she watched him movehishead.
“Come on, buddy. You got to wake up,”Coreysaid.
Josh didn’t reply. He did move his legs, though, and he was able to walk with theirassistance.
Amy was really trying to be positive. She was really trying her best, but this wasn’t looking good. Yes, he moved, but he looked terrible. He couldn’t go on TVlikethat.
They managed to get him inside the studio and place him on a chair, but to her horror he fell asleepagain!
“Has he been drinking?” Coach Simpsonaskedher.
“Last night,” she said, hoping that would help in some way for them to keep trying towakehim.
“Josh, wake up, son. Joshua.” He attempted to shake Josh but there was nothing. He stood up, looked from Zelda to Corey, and said, “This is no use. He’s no use to us like this, and it’s not right to keep forcing him if he doesn’t want to play anymore. Get him torehab.”
No, no they couldn’t do that. She knew he wanted to play. She hadn’t known him long enough but she knew he wanted to play. Possibly more than anything. She’d seen it in his eyes when she laid down the terms of what they’d be doing going forward. She saw it in his eyes justyesterday.
And if he went to rehab, that would be it for her. She’d practically be signing her mother’s death certificate. That thought switched something in her brain and ignited the rage and anger that boiled within her. It surged her forward and she took hold of his shoulders andshookhim.
“Wake the hell up, Josh. Wake up.” Nothing. It was like he wasn’t home, and he had that stupid expression on his face like when he stared at her breasts and licked his lips. The fool was probably dreaming about sex. That wouldn’t surprise her. It did anger her, though, and just like that time when she found out Tristan was being bullied at school she lost her sanity. Back then she was about twelve, now she was thirty-three and had had so much happen to her. So much just in this lastmonth.
All she knew was she raised her hand and slapped him across his face with everything in her, and again across his other cheek with the back of thesamehand.
“You selfish son of a bitch, wake up. Think about someone else besides your damn wretched self,” she heard herself cry. “Wake up! I did not put up with your crazy shit for this to happen. I put so much effort into you. Wake up if you want to play football.” She must have slapped him six times in total, hard. So hard it left a red mark on his face. In the process of the seventh he caught her hand as she was about to give it to him again and held her waist tosteadyher.
“I’m awake.” His eyes stared into hers, wide into hers. Wideawake.
“Lord Jesus,” Corey said, movingherback.
“You’d better call on Jesus because he just saved your friend,” Zeldacommented.
Josh let go of her hand and released her. He then stood up on shaky legs and looked around. Zelda and Coach Parker looked at Amy with shocked but amused expressions. She, however, tried to calm herself and steady herheart.
“You up for this, son?” Coach Simpson asked, resting his hand onJosh’sback.
“Yes coach.” Josh nodded and pulled in a deep breath. He looked back at Amy and frowned at her. Shefrownedback.
“My face better not be red, Kansas.” He ran his hand overhisface.
His cheeks were bright red and had finger marks, too. He looked like he’d had a run in with wolves. She opened her bag and took out her touch l’eclaitconcealer.
“Use this, and next time don’t piss me off.” She tossed it to him and he caught it. He then walked ahead with Coach Simpson while Zelda and Corey lagged behind to talktoher.
“It seems I was wrong about you,” Zelda commented, her bright green eyes sparkled withinterest.
“What do you mean?” Amy panicked thinking she was still doomed despite her efforts. She was completely aware that she’d just practically attacked Josh and she knew that it was a terrible thing. Her skin buzzed from the anger that hadn’trescinded.
“You’re perfect for this job. You know how to handle yourself, and it looks like you know exactly how to deal with him too. I’m totally impressed,” Zeldareplied.
Amy breathed a sigh of relief when sheheardthat.
“Me too,” Corey stated, nodding. “We just might get him back for thisseason.”
Amy hoped so, too, because this was still only the beginning. It was the first hurdle. She’d only just moved fromsquareone.
