Nix
“Here he is,” Hench hollered as I walked into the locker room.
It was my first day back at school after a week off at the insistence of Coach and Principal Marston. But between visiting Jessa, getting the new place ready, and spending time with Harleigh, it had flown by.
News traveled fast about my old man and Vince Colombo and there wasn’t a single soul in The Row who didn’t know about what had gone down, though people didn’t ask too many questions. And if they did, Zane or Kye usually told them to shut the fuck up.
I was Joe Wilder’s kid—always would be. But I was finally free of his bullshit, and it felt good.
“Wilder, my office,” Coach bellowed, and I made my way across the room, my teammates all greeting me as I passed them.
“What’s up, Coach?”
“Sit,” he said, motioning to the empty chair. “You look a damn sight better than when I saw you last.”
“I’m a quick healer, sir.”
“Quick healer or not, I don’t want you anywhere near practice for at least another week, and then it’s light duties only.”
“Come on, Coach, I’m fi—”
“I swear to God, Nix, if you tell me you’re fine one more time, I will blow a damn gasket.” His eyes shuttered as he inhaled a ragged breath.
“Coach?”
“I’m sorry, son. I’m just having a real hard time reconciling the fact I didn’t do more.”
His words hung between us, and I managed to choke out, “I’m not your responsibility, Coach.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Nix.” He sat back and ran a hand over his stubble. “You’re my star player, one of my guys, I should have— fuck. It’s going to take some time to process it all, son. But I’m glad to see you back, we all are.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
“Now I know you won’t be in Friday’s line up, but it's Homecoming and I’d really like you to be present.”
“Ugh, school dances aren’t my thing, Coach, you know that.”
“What if I told you I spoke to Darrah O’Keefe up at Albany and he as good as gave me the green light.”
“No shit?” I sat up straighter, hardly able to believe my ears.
“They’re talking about locking you into an early commitment if you’re interested. But they want you to head up to Albany the weekend after next when we have a bye week.”
“That’s…” Holy shit. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I think the answer you’re looking for is ‘Hell yes,’ son.”
“Hell yes, Coach. It’s real?” I asked. “They really want me… even after what happened?”
“They want you because of what happened, Nix. Your tenacity and resilience are two of your biggest strengths. When I think about the life you’ve had, what you’ve had to face… I’m proud to call you a Hawk, Nix.”
A strange emotion tumbled in my chest. “Thanks, Coach. That means a lot.”
“Are you and Jessa all settled in the new place?”
“We are. We still need to get a few bits of furniture but it’s coming together.” She’d officially left the hospital two days ago and had spent every second cleaning and organizing, despite the doctor’s order to take it easy.
She was like a whole new person, and it only confirmed what I already knew. We’d made the right decision letting Michael help us.