Page 4 of The Comeback

“Not bad. Two seconds off, but you were digging in harder by the third turn. Keep practicing.” He turns on his heel, shoves the stopwatch into his pocket, and joins a couple of the players on the sidelines.

Two seconds off. I groan. No matter what I do, I can’t get those two fucking seconds back.

Coach Rowland pats my pack. “You’ve got this, son. I have faith in you. There’s still a month until training camp.”

I shake my head and jog to the dressing room. It doesn’t make any sense. I worked with the physical trainers back in California and in New York. And when I say I worked with them, I mean I spent four hours a day stretching, lifting, and running. But when I got back to 96%, I hit a brick wall, and there’s been no improvement since.

After I shower and change, I shrug my bag over my shoulder.

“Weston?”

I turn to see who called my name. Knox Tillman. At least, I think that’s him. I haven’t met any of the players yet. “Knox Tillman?”

“Yep.” He grins, and dimples pop on his cheeks. “The one and only.”

Tillman? “Are you Coach Tillman’s son?”

“Yeah, but don’t hold that against me. I’m on the defense, so you can’t blame me if you think he’s a dick.”

“Nah, man.” I raise my hands in defense. “I never said that.” I can’t afford for someone to overhear his side of the conversation and not mine. I’m already perched on a teetering rock over an abyss for wasted-up-athlete-land.

“Sorry.” He chuckles and smacks me on the back, so hard my breath rushes out. “I couldn’t help it. Just a little new guy ribbing. Some players are headed to Callahan’s tonight. It’s a local bar. Why don’t you come out with us?”

“I don’t go out much.” I’ve got enough problems without adding partying to the mix. And I don’t drink and drive–ever. That is a hard no for me.

“Come on. You don’t have to drink. Many of the guys don’t drink, even during the off-season, but it’ll allow you to meet some of your teammates.” He crosses his arms over his broad chest. “Unless you’re already planning to get cut?”

My teeth grind together. “No. I’m not planning to get cut.” Even before my sister’s accident, I needed the money. The stability. Now I must have it for Piper’s therapy. She deserves the best of everything, and so does my mom. My mom is one of the hardest working women I know, juggling two full-time jobs since I was a kid.

Not that my mom had a choice. My dad left her high and dry.

“Good. I want to see you succeed.” He nods, snatches open his locker door, and grabs his bag. “I’ve got to shower. See you tonight at Callahan’s. 7 o’clock.”

“Sure.”

He looks at me over his shoulder. “Don’t stand me up. I’m too pretty to sit at the bar all alone.”

I shake my head. The guy is cocky. “I’ll be there.”

As I walk down the corridor, I study the trophies and photos that line the walls. This is the best team in the league, and I’m lucky to be on it. It’s my opportunity to redeem myself.

Ring. Beep. When my cellphone buzzes in my pocket, I drag it out. “Hello?”

“Hey, baby.” My mom’s voice carries over the line. Since we’re not sure how long I’ll stay on the team, she’s remaining back in New York.

“How’s Piper?”

“Quiet, as usual,” she sighs heavily. My sister was the life of the party. Cheer captain. Basketball star. Golfing when nothing else was going on. You name it, she was there doing it. But six months ago, she was hit by a drunk driver while riding her bicycle. Thankfully, the driver was only going ten miles per hour, but she still needed multiple surgeries and months of physical therapy.

“Has she left her room?” Since her injury, she’s been going to online school and doesn’t hang out with any of her friends.

“No. Not unless you count going to the bathroom as leaving her room.”

“Shit.” I can’t help them if they’re over a thousand miles away. “Fly out here and stay with me.”

“Are you sure?” The relief in her voice makes me cringe. Why didn’t I think about how difficult this was going to be on her when I left? It’s too much for her to handle everything on her own. It breaks her heart to see my sister suffer, and my situation hasn’t been a walk in the park for her either.

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ll book another room for you and Piper at the hotel. And I’ll start looking for somewhere for us to live.”

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