Dependability. Loyalty. Two more strengths football has taught me.
“I’ll see you guys at six tonight.” He flashes a smile that promises more conditioning.
I roll my shoulders as we head into the locker room.
“Dude, Coach is serving our asses on a platter,” Bobby says, slumping to a bench.
“I thought having you date his daughter would help,” Quinton says, prodding at Arlo. “You didn’t piss her off or anything, right?”
Paxton laughs, patting Arlo’s shoulder. “You now have an entire team of relationship counselors.”
The President laughs. “Coach just wants another undefeated season. Who doesn’t? Fuck, I’ll run the bleachers and the lines and do the box jumps. We’ve got this. This season is ours.” He points at me. “I saw you out there, Banks. You were a force. This is going to be your year, man.”
I glance at Coop and several of my teammates. “It’s our year.”
Cheers break out like we’ve made a toast. The energy is high, and our resolution is even higher.
Cooper’s elbow clips me as I finish getting dressed. “It’s done.”
I pull my chin back. “Already?”
His eyebrows furrow like I’ve just insulted him. “Do you want to see it or not?”
“Of course, I want to see it.”
He passes me his phone. The screen is a picture of the fucker Ricky. Cooper knew his name and every detail we needed. His dating profile mentions the multiple classes he failed in high school and context about how he treats women. Cooper was able to hack into multiple systems and do whatever in the hell his genius computer mind needed to get Ricky’s profile on every dating site and social media site, careful to ensure there was no mention of Chloe’s or any other girl’s name and set alerts to notify him if Chloe’s name is ever mentioned.
“Brilliant,” I say, reading his profile again. “How long did it take you?”
“You’re not paying me for this shit. I wanted to do this. It’s for Chloe, and every girl who doesn’t know this guy is a douchebag.”
I want to argue and remind him this was my idea that had him investing the past few weeks into this project. Plus, it’s nearly impossible for most of the guys on the team to have a job during football season because between school, practices, games, travel, and more, there’s little to no time for it, and I know Cooper could use the money. I also am beginning to understand that there are people in my life who don’t come with a price tag or wish list, and Cooper is one of them.
“Well, I have another job for you. This one comes with a fixed payment.”
We grab our bags and head out to the parking lot.
“What kind of job?”
“I’d like you to work with a woman I hired down in San Francisco. I’ve just purchased a shelter that was upside down, and I want you to create a system interface that will allow them to keep track of trends, storage, what items are low in stock, what isn’t being used, easy medical record access; all the stuff we’re going to be adding and integrating. It will need to work in conjunction with another system I want you to design that tracks everyone’s progress so people can’t fall through any gaps. Something that check to see if they need counseling, doctors, dentists, schooling…” I shake my head, trying to recall the hours of emails and conversations I’ve had with the new director.
Cooper grins. “I can do that.”
“I know you can. You’re going to be the next tech giant, and I want to invest in you.”
Cooper looks as surprised as he did when I first explained who I was freshman year.
“Are we good?” I ask. Cooper was far less forgiving about my quick departure. Chloe explained it had to do with abandonment issues and trust issues, and that it wasn’t personal. She’s probably right, but I have no doubt she’s forgetting one of the biggest reasons he was upset, which was her. He was mad at me for inflicting pain on her, and I don’t blame him. Not one bit.
Coop holds a hand up for me, and I clasp his, our chests meeting as we hug. “Yeah. We’re good. Just the next time your dad shows up, let’s make sure it’s a group meeting, okay?”
I laugh as we reach my Tesla, which had to be shipped here, and I toss my bag into the trunk. “That won’t do me any favors. My dad’s an arse.”
Coop chuckles, unlocking his car across from mine. “Are you headed to see Chloe?”
“Yeah, but not until later. She’s at work. Right now, I’m going to go eat and take a nap and then see her for a couple of hours before night practice.”
“Night practice,” Coop groans. “These two-a-days are brutal. I’m heading to see Vanessa. I’ll see you tonight.”
I slide into my car as my phone rings. “Hey, Uncle Kip.”
“What’s up, kid? I went and saw your mom today, and she said you were in London. Don’t tell me your asshole father finally relented and gave you the keys to the castle?”
“I was in London, but I left.”
Uncle Kip whoops. “Did you tell him to shove it up his ass?”
“We made a deal. I get to finish school at Brighton, and then I’ll head to London.”
“Two years of freedom, huh?”
“I’m pretty sure I would have had plenty of freedom there, honestly. Grandad was heading to Dubai, and Dad was heading to the States. But I have friends here, and football, and—”
“A chick,” he interrupts me. “I heard you’ve got a girl.”
I grin as he spews profanities.
“Don’t turn your back on me. Think of everything I taught you.”
Laughter hits my lips. “Thankfully, you taught me a lot about football.”
He groans. “If you’d have taken me up on just one trip into the pool house with the girls I brought home, I’m telling you, you’d be a different man right now.”
He’s likely not wrong, which is sobering.
“Is she cool?”
My smile returns. “Ridiculously cool.”
Uncle Kip sighs. “You deserve
