Hadley: You’re wrong. I read all your messages the moment they come in, even in class.
I hope I’m not misinterpreting her words that breathe even more hope into me.
Me: Good luck with lunch, Cutlass.
I arrive at the restaurant with five minutes to spare. I spend three of them ordering flowers to be delivered to Hadley, and another one hoping that Katie doesn’t say or do anything to meddle in my efforts of winning her back.
I straighten my polo, and head into the steakhouse, thinking about all the notes and tips I shared with Hadley as I prepare for what feels like my first-time public speaking as I eye Duken across from Hudson and Palmer.
“Nolan,” Duken says, standing as I get closer. “How are you, son?” He offers me his hand to shake.
“Thanks for allowing us to join you,” I say, taking his hand.
He smiles like a proud father. “You’re welcome anytime. Have a seat.” He gestures to the chair beside him. “I’m hoping you three will tell me what in high heaven went wrong this past weekend that kept you from playing.” His Southern accent is as deep as his pockets. He slides his napkin from the table’s edge and snaps it open before draping it across his lap. “Did you get food poisoning? Injured during practice? What in the hell happened?”
I exchange a look with Hudson and nod, encouraging him to explain it, no holds barred.
“We ran a play Peters didn’t call,” Hudson says. “That trick play we ran that had Zack throwing the winning touchdown pass to Nolan was a play we’d drawn with Coach Krueger. We knew it was our only chance of winning the game, so we chose to run it. Peters benched us to set an example that if the team doesn’t listen to him, they don’t play.”
Duken shakes his head.“Well, now. It can’t be that simple.”
Palmer smirks and gives a near imperceptible shake of his head. I know he thinks this is a waste of time. Everyone kisses Peters’s ass regardless of how big of an asshole he is because the details never matter as long as the bottom line says we’re winning.
“With Peters, it’s that simple,” I say. “Krueger is organizing files and tracking players down over their attendance and grades, he’s not running the offense. And Hudson doesn’t get a voice on the field. Our direction comes from Peters and if we don’t do what he says or question him, we pay for it either in practice or by getting benched.”
Duken turns from me to Hudson. “Could it all be a misunderstanding?”
“We were there and ready to play Saturday when he told us that if we couldn’t listen to his plays, he’d find someone else who would. So you tell us,” Palmer says. “Is it just a misunderstanding?”
Duken leans back in his chair and puffs out his cheeks. “This wasn’t the meeting I was expecting.”
Hudson nods. “We didn’t mean to ambush you; we just know how much the program means to you.” He stares at Duken without flinching. “We aren’t trying to pass our mess over to you, but we want you to know because we got knocked out of the playoff game Saturday and it’s not just our futures he gambled and lost.”
Palmer looks from Duken to me, one brow raised with a silent question about whether or not I think Duken will help us.
“Krueger’s smart. I helped him get his position with the team.” Duken reaches into his pocket. “Let me call Carrie. She’ll want to hear about this.”
Carrie is more than another influential booster—she’s the sister of our athletic director’s wife and possibly our golden ticket.
Chapter35
Hadley
“They barely gave you any fries,” Katie says, glancing up for a waiter as we sit down for our impromptu lunch date.
“It’s okay. I’m not that hungry,” I tell her.
Her gaze swings to mine. “Is it another migraine?”
I shake my head. “I drank three different Christmas-flavored mochas this morning.”
“Do you want more coffee? Or hot chocolate? Maybe something else?” Katie grabs the menu she’d asked our waiter to leave so we could order dessert and begins flipping to the beverages.
“Katie?” I ask. “Does this have anything to do with Nolan?”
Her dark blue eyes lift to mine. “I feel terrible. I’m so mad at him for what he did and I don’t want to say I told you so, but I knew he’d ruin everything. Nolan always ruins things, and I’m terrified you’re going to tell me you want to move out and never talk to me again.”
I shake my head. “This won’t impact us at all,” I promise her. “Regardless of what happens.”