Page 80 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

Aaron

“How’s that shoulder feel, son?”Coach Macintosh asked as I entered the locker room.

“It’s okay. I start PT today.”

“Well, don’t go at it too hard. You’re just lucky we’ve got a bye week this weekend.”

“Tell me about it.” I forced a smile, throwing my bag down on the bench, and making my way toward Coach’s office.

“Good luck in there, he’s in a pissy mood.”

Great. After my weekend, just what I didn’t need.

I knocked and waited.

“Come in,” Coach boomed, and I slipped inside. “Take a seat, Aaron. How’s Sofia?”

“She’s okay. Wanted to come to school this morning but Mom wasn’t having it.”

“Sounds like Mya. How’s your shoulder?”

“It feels okay.”

“Good.” He picked up a stack of brochures and tapped them on the desk, straightening their edges. “I want you to look at these.” He thrust them toward me.

“What are—” My eyes snagged on the logo stamped across the first one.

Bentley University.

“College brochures.” My stomach sank.

“Now I know they’re not your top choices, but I put some feelers out and I think you’d have a shot.”

“Bentley University… Truman State… West Chester.” I stumbled over that last one. Poppy was applying to West Chester. No way in hell I could go there too. It would be a disaster. Besides, they were a Division II team.

I didn’t want to play Division II football.

I threw them back on his desk and exhaled a thin breath. “I appreciate it, Coach, I do, but—”

“We need to be realistic, son. You’re a good player, Aaron. Does it really matter where you play football, so long as you get to play?”

“Seriously? You of all people are asking me that?” Irritation rolled up my spine.

“Watch your tone, kid. You might be Asher’s kid but you’re still my player, and I deserve respect.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled, dropping my eyes.

I was just so fucking tired of talking about it. Of having everyone point out to me that I wasn’t good enough to land a spot at one of my top three colleges.

“Look, I’m partly to blame here. I should have pushed you to consider other options last year. But you’re right, I know what it’s like to want something so much you can taste it. And I’d hoped someone would bite too.” He ran a hand over his jaw, his eyes boring into mine.

That’s how it was with Coach Ford. He looked you in the eye when he spoke to you.

“It’s tough out there, son,” he added. “A lot tougher now than it was in my day. Not getting the call from Pittsburgh or your other picks doesn’t mean you won’t have a successful college football career. It just means you have to adjust your expectations.”

“Got it.”

“Aaron, come on… I’m trying to help.”

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