“Effective when?”
“Now.”
I lean back in my chair, relief coursing through me so it feels like my feet aren’t touching the ground. “What does that mean?”
“It means I’m in charge of the offense. I’m meeting with McKinley in two hours to see if he thinks the offense can be ready to implement the two new plays we’ve been working on for Saturday’s game.”
“Does it matter?” I ask. “I mean, will it matter? We’re out of the playoff. The best we can do is make a bowl game”
“We don’t know who’s made it to the playoff game, yet. They still have to win to guarantee their positions,” Krueger says. “As we know, a lot can change with a single game.”
Hope thrums dangerously loud in my chest. “Will we remain benched?”
Krueger’s head snaps up. “Not a chance.” He slides the playbook to me. “I put that new play we drew up a couple of weeks ago in here. I want you to run it by McKinley.” He grabs more playbooks. “If you want to meet and discuss your options for the draft, I’ll make time.”
“You think even after sitting out last week, there’s a chance?”
“I think you’re the only one who doesn't and unless you change that, you're going to sacrifice a lot.” He stares at me for a moment. “Your future will be my priority, but if you decide you want to stay and play another year so you can graduate, there will always be a place for you on my starting lineup.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
He nods. “Come on. I have to announce this change to the team. Act shocked since I know I can’t pay you to act mournful.” He pushes back from his desk.
Hudson and the others are waiting as I follow Krueger out of his office.
“A quick announcement. We’re about to be royally fucked over because Coach Peters is going to have to sit out the rest of the season. As you know, his hip injury has continued to worsen, and his orthopedist has informed him he can’t put the surgery off any longer. We’re going to have a tough time in his absence, but I expect you to all work hard and play with the same level of intensity that you would if he was on the field.” I’d probably chew my tongue off before offering such a bureaucratic lie, but Krueger does it seamlessly. He claps his hands. “Get to class. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
Hudson’s gaze flashes to mine. I know he’s just as shocked as I am.
I tilt my head, indicating for Hudson to follow me to the exit.
It’s cold and dry today, amplified by the wind. Guys from the team file out of the facility and other athletes mill in and out of the nearby dorms. Hudson and I make it to the edge of the Northern Lawn before we stop.
“I can’t believe they were able to pull this off so fast. I thought it would take weeks. It didn’t even take a full day.”
Hudson shakes his head. “I didn’t, either. I thought we might get the chance to play in the bowl game. Shows you how much can change in a day.”
His words resonate in my chest.
“We’re going to need to work hard this week. If we dominate this game, it will reflect well on Krueger, and hopefully, keep him active when Peters returns,” Hudson has his calendar pulled up on his phone. “I’ll see you in a few hours?”
I nod. “I have global business with Hadley.”
“Have you fixed that yet?”
“I’m on my way to do it now.”
“What’s taking you so long?”
I flip him off.
Hudson chuckles. “Make it happen.”
I trek toward global business, debating how long Hadley was hoping I’d reflect. A week? Two weeks?
A lot can happen in a day.
“Nolan!” Katie’s voice stops me. I never see my sister on campus and haven’t seen her at all since Monday morning.