“Before you got here, Coach was always bragging about his year and how they won state. How he and Jeff Greene are the reason they won.”
Hank nods, apparently remembering it all. “I never thought he would… I mean… holy shit.”
“What?” I ask him.
Hank shakes his head with a look to say, “I’ll tell you later.”
“You have no idea,” Jed says. “If I wasn’t better than you, then why does my old high school want me to play for them in the playoffs because they have a shot at state?”
Cade shrugs. “I don’t care. Go back to Arizona. Make them lose for a change.”
“Cade,” Hank’s tone is one of warning.
He turns to his dad, holding out his hands. “What do you want from me? He’s taken everything away from me this year.” Cade slides by Jed and walks out of the office.
Jed’s eyes search me out. “Is it true?”
I shrug again. “I don’t know.”
But Jeff has always found ways of manipulating people to get what he wants.
“I trust you guys to handle this. They can play tonight, but detention all next week,” Torres says. “I’ll be talking to Coach Zeke as well.”
“Thanks, Thor,” Hank says, referring to him by his nickname.
This town is too small sometimes.
“Jed, let’s go,” I say to him, then tell Hank that I’ll call him later.
Jed touches his cheek where a bruise is forming, and he walks out of the office ahead of me.
Hank grabs my hand and pulls me to his chest. “I’ll check in with you later. But…” He looks over my shoulder. “You need to talk to Jeff. Zeke is sporting a new fishing boat. He was bragging about it at the beginning of the season.”
I huff. “You’re not serious?”
“I am.” He bites his lip. “I’m sorry I didn’t put it all together sooner.”
“Don’t be. It just means you’re not a manipulating asshole.” I kiss him quickly, and he squeezes my hip before releasing me.
Jed is outside in his truck when I approach. I signal for him to get out of the driver’s side. He rolls his eyes but does it, and I climb into the driver’s seat. I send Nikki a text to say she’s in charge until I return home and there’s oil on the floor in the kitchen and not to slip.
I drive Jed to his grandparents’ house. Not my parents’ house. Jeff’s parents’ old home. We park along the street and stare at the two-bedroom ranch that looks worse for wear.
“What is this?” Jed asks.
“This is where Grandma and Grandpa Greene lived.”
“What?”
“This is where your dad grew up.”
Jed sounds surprised when he says, “Grandma and Grandpa have money. Why would they live like this?”
“Your dad bought their house in Arizona. Your dad bought their cars. Your dad gives them an allowance every month. This is where they lived until your dad moved them to Arizona.”
Jed’s jaw hangs open. “Why didn’t anyone tell us?”
“Your dad is ashamed. He always was. That’s where his cockiness comes from. It’s a protection mechanism. He’s trying to act like someone he’s not. I stood by for too long and allowed you to do the same. Jed, wearing a mask your entire life and hiding who you are isn’t worth it. Did your dad pay Coach Zeke? I honestly don’t know, but I can see it. It’s your dad’s way of making himself feel powerful and important, of making people do things he wants them to. And I’m sorry if you were one of his pawns. Maybe you weren’t. He probably did it all for you.”
“Bullshit. He did it for himself.” He pounds his fist on the dash. “I’ve been an idiot. Playing week after week. Cade is right, I lost almost every game.”
“But it wasn’t all you. You guys are a team.”
He’s quiet for a few minutes and it’s until I hear him sniffling that I glance over. “I knew, Mom.”
“Knew that Dad paid off Coach Zeke?”
He shakes his head. “No. I knew Cade was better. It’s why I asked his two best friends to work out with me.” His head falls into his hands. “I’m just like him. I’m just like Dad. I manipulated the situation with the hopes that no one would notice.” His back wracks with sobs.
Motherhood sucks sometimes.
I put my hand on his back and rub up and down, just like I did when he was a little boy. “You did what came naturally. But the good thing is, you’re only seventeen. You can do the right thing and people will forgive you.”
“Dad wants me to go back to Arizona,” he says to his hands.
“He told me.”
He picks up his head and looks at me, regret in his eyes. “He called last night. I told him about you and Hank.”
I nod. “I know.”
“I’m sorry. I was just so angry. I know it’s not an excuse.”
I squeeze his shoulder. “No, it’s not, but you’ve been through a lot of change.”
“I don’t want to be like him,” he says, looking me in the eye. “What if it’s, like, engrained or genetic or something and I destroy my entire life like he did with his?”
I tilt my head, not understanding.
“Cheating on you. He ruined his life by cheating on you. I always thought maybe Dad could change and win you back, but I see how happy you are with Hank. So much happier than you ever were with Dad.”
I look at him with a sad smile. “I am. I’m glad you notice.” I take his head in my hands, willing him to really take in my words. “You choose who you are. You are the only one who can control you. You want to be a better person? You can. You want to be a better quarterback? You can. You want to be a better son?” He sighs, and I laugh. “You can.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He leans in and hugs me.
“That’s why I’m here.”
“Can I tell you something?” he says
