Chapter 47
At practice, Coach pulled Nick aside. “The Michigan scout is coming Friday night.” He folded his arms. “I’m concerned.”
Him too, but Nick stammered, “W-Why?”
“I don’t think you’re ready.” As he talked, he patted Nick’s shoulder. “There’s something different about you this year.”
“It’s been pretty stressful.” He lowered his gaze to study the ground and his scuffed cleats.
“How so?”
“My grandma in the hospital, and Em and I broke up.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Coach patted his shoulder again. “How about I work with you individually after practice?”
“That would be great.” His words sounded enthusiastic, but inside his heart sank. Football had been relegated to the end of the line in his life. It had always been football, football, football, but now his identity was foremost.
“Bryan! Can you stay after to help Nick?” Coach asked.
Bryan grinned. “Sure thing!”
Oh great, not Bryan. Anyone but Bryan. Could he think of an excuse to get out of it? The grandma excuse was getting old.
“Nick’s putting in extra time to get ready for the scout,” Coach said, motioning for Bryan to throw the ball to Nick. “Throw long!”
Bryan hurled the ball at him, and Nick caught it with an “uumph!”
“Again!” he encouraged. “And I’ll run interference.”
Coach barred him from the ball and knocked it away when Nick reached for it.
“Visualize, Nick. There will always be someone guarding you from the other team. You need to make sure you’re a moving target so you can get to the ball. Let’s try it again!”
They practiced over and over until Nick thought he’d collapse from fatigue and sore muscles, and his ribs were tender to the touch.
Coach patted both Bryan and Nick on the back. “Thanks for your help, Bryan.”
Nick glared as Bryan answered, “Sure thing, Coach! Always happy to help a fellow athlete.”
Nick doubted Bryan wanted to help him; he just wanted to suck up to Coach.
“Football’s all about concentration,” Coach said when they went back to the locker room to change and go home. “Forget everything else.”
****
Nick went home exhausted and starving. He pulled out his phone when it pinged with a text from Cat.
—I want to see you. Can you come over?—
—Can’t. Homework— Nick responded.
—Don’t you want to see me?—
Of course he wanted to see her, so he responded with:
—Big scout coming to the game on Friday. Tomorrow?—
—K—