Page 39 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“You did good out there tonight,” he added, but it felt like an afterthought.

“That linebacker was all over us.” All over me.

“But you kept pushing. You never gave up.”

“I know, Coach,” I blurted, unable to hold it in for a second longer. “I know about Pittsburgh.”

“Shit,” he murmured. “How did you—”

“I overheard you and my mom talking about it.”

“Aaron, son, I—”

“It’s all good. It was a crapshoot.”

“There’s still Connecticut and Iowa. Something good will come.”

“Have you heard anything?”

“They’re still weighing up their options. These things take time, Aaron. We’ve been over this.”

“I know, I just thought…” My head hung low in disappointment. “Doesn’t matter.”

“Listen, son. I’ve been where you are right now. I’ve wanted it so badly it hurts. But the right opportunity will come along at the right time. If it doesn’t work out, you broaden your horizons or go to college and get a spot as a walk-on.”

“Do you think they’ll come through?” I asked because maybe I was a sucker for punishment. Or maybe I just needed to hear that he thought I was good enough. That all my hard work and dedication to the team would pay off.

But he hesitated.

Coach hesitated for a split second and that told me everything I needed to know.

“I should probably get dressed,” I said, dejection sitting heavy in my chest. I wanted nothing more than the ground to swallow me whole.

“Aaron, son. You’re a good player. A smart player. But so are hundreds of other guys out there. Scouts are looking for the next big thing, the stars of the future.”

Ezra. They were looking for players like Ezra or Kaiden or even Coach back in the day.

“Not getting recruited out of high school isn’t that big of a deal.”

“I appreciate the words of encouragement, Coach, I do. But we both know no one wants to pursue college football with hopes of being a walk-on.”

I grabbed my jersey and one-handedly pulled it over my head and maneuvered it over the sling holding my arm in place.

“You need some help with that?” he asked.

“No, I got it.”

“I know you being Asher’s kid complicates things a little. But I’m your coach, Aaron. It’s my job to prepare you the best I can, and if that makes me the bad guy, then so be it.”

“I don’t think you’re the bad guy. You’re just being honest.”

And the problem with honesty…

Sometimes the truth really fucking hurt.

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