Page 105 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
“You’re the one with the kid, right?”
“Lily. Yes, she’s a little over two, and—”
“That’s gonna be a problem.”
I explain how I just found out about her, but I have reliable childcare. He doesn’t look convinced.
But as Sienna is always encouraging me to look on the bright side, I try to put everything in context. “As you may know, Coach, our quarterback last year had a baby, and he won the Heisman. So it is doable.”
His bushy eyebrows pull together. “I’d say he’s the exception, not the rule, wouldn’t you? How do you feel camp is going so far? Do you think you can hack it this fall? You’ve got four other guys on the team who could do your job.”
Jesus, why is he being such a prick? Up until this point, my coaches have always been supportive.
“I’m managing, sir. My girlfriend is really supportive, and she’s helping me—”
“That’s another thing. I don’t encourage serious relationships. Your main relationship should be football. Full stop.” He glances behind me, I suppose to check that no one is in the hallway. He lowers his voice. “There’s time for all the pussy you want when you reach the NFL. If you reach the NFL.”
Is this guy fucking serious?
I try to breathe through my anger. “I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”
He laughs when he sees my expression. “I’m not here to coddle you. You won a national championship last year, but guess what? That was last year. You’ve got to prove yourself all over again this fall, or you can kiss the draft goodbye. When I say I want a hundred percent, I mean every last ounce of energy should get poured into football. Not your kid. Not your girlfriend. Not your classes. That might be an unpopular opinion, but it’s the truth, and the truth is what I serve up.”
I thought that was what I’ve been doing. Living in the dorms where I barely fit on the twin bed. Not sleeping next to my girlfriend. Not seeing my daughter. How am I not sacrificing everything for this fucking game?
By the time I leave his office, I’m furious. What the hell have I done? I’ve completely screwed myself by not entering the draft last spring.
I’m stalking down the long hallway along the back of the stadium to the parking lot when the last person I feel like talking to jogs up to me.
“Hey, bitch. How’d your meeting go?” Winston smirks at me like he knows something I don’t.
When I don’t respond, he slings his arm over my shoulders. “Heard a little secret. Heard you were fucking Sienna.” I stiffen, my hands in fists at my side. “No need to thank me for basically hooking you two up with that ride to the airport. Doesn’t she give the best head you’ve ever had in your life?” He shivers dramatically. “Almost makes me want her back. But then, I’m not really into sloppy seconds.”
I don’t make the conscious decision to hit him, but all the pent-up anger I’ve had for this guy blasts through me. Next thing I know, my fist is connecting with his face.
“Don’t you ever fucking talk about her again, you sorry sack of shit.”
He gets one swing in before I take him to the ground.
All of a sudden, Olly and Meyers are pulling me off him. My friends leave him on the floor.
“Fuck, you chipped my tooth, motherfucker!” Winston yells as he stands and then staggers.
“You deserve it for fucking with Sienna.” He cheats on her, breaks her heart, and destroys her house? “If you get near her again, I’ll really kick your ass.”
