Page 16 of Game Changer (Hidden Attractions #2)

Ethan

I told myself I wouldn’t enjoy coming to this youth football practice. Mark wanted me here, so that’s the only reason I’m striding through the grass toward the field where a bunch of kids are stretching in a circle.

Mark is standing beside an older man who is holding a clipboard—Ronnie Wilson, the coach for State.

I only know this because he attended our games in high school not only to watch Mark play, since he took Mark in, but also to get a feel for the other players.

He had his eye on me for a scholarship. At least, that was what my coach told me.

It only makes this situation even more awkward when I approach Mark’s side.

“Hey, you made it!” Mark claps me on the back, which damn near knocks me over. The strength of this guy is insane. I’m starting to believe he really is Thor. He turns to the group of kids, who have all suddenly grown silent as they stare at the newcomer. “Guys, I’d like you to meet—”

“Ethan Davis,” Ronnie finishes, eyeing me in a scrutinizing way. “One of the best linebackers I’ve ever seen.”

The kids all ooooh like I’m a newfound specimen.

“Where do you play now?” one asks.

“Do you go to school here?”

“Do you want to go to the NFL?”

Jesus. This is the worst interrogation of my life.

“ Used to be,” I correct, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “I don’t play anymore, but thank you.”

The kids’ faces drop, but before the punch to the gut can sink in, Mark says, “He’s here to watch you guys play today, and maybe, if you’re lucky, he’ll have some pointers to give.

Drills. Let’s go.” Mark jerks his head for me to follow, and, together, we walk to the opposite side of the field, allowing the kids to race ahead. “They can be blunt.”

“You don’t say?”

He laughs. “They’re really great once you get to know them.”

“How old are they?”

“Thirteen. Right in their prime.”

“So, the worst is what you mean.”

Mark grins wider. “Oh, come on. Don’t you remember middle school? When we were all awkward and trying to adjust to our new voices after our balls finally dropped?”

“You know, I can’t say I do. My brain probably did me a solid and blacked those years out.”

Mark blows his whistle, getting the kids’ attention again. “All right, Ethan’s going to take over defensive line drills. Offense, you’re with me.”

My eyes bug out of my head. “Excuse me?” I thought I’d be watching today, not fucking coaching. This isn’t my job. And why is Ronnie on the opposite side of the field mean-mugging me? Is that supposed to be intimidating?

“What? You can’t help? Don’t act like you don’t know how to do drills. We used to practice that shit in our sleep. Just tell them what to do. All the props you need are behind us by the bleachers.”

Mark is a sly motherfucker .

“You’re going to pay for this,” I say, but his back is already facing me as he walks away.

“Next round at Happy Endings is on me!” he calls over his shoulder.

Suddenly, a group of kids surround me, waiting for instructions, and it feels so fucking wrong to have them look up to me right now.

What do I have to offer them? I’m not good enough to be a coach to anyone , let alone these eager kids who are jumping from foot to foot like they’re so excited they can’t sit still.

My chest clenches at the sight.

I don’t want to do this, but I’m also not going to break these kids’ hearts. I know how to do drills. I’ve done them thousands of times. If I have to suck it up for an hour, then so be it. After today, I never have to come back again.

“Mark!” I call, then watch his head whip around. “I need to borrow an offensive player.”

Something akin to pride lines his features before he dips his chin and sends over a boy named Sam. They look so small in their helmets, and yet the determination and willpower to play is oozing off them. I can feel their passion, and we haven’t even started yet.

Walking over to the bleachers, I swipe a sweat towel before I return to them.

“All right, I’m going to try and keep this simple.

The goal of a defensive lineman is to get to the quarterback, right?

” They all nod, watching when I turn Sam to face me and drop into stance, instructing Sam to do the same.

“The key to achieving this is to ensure you’re low and letting your shoulder drop.

” I put the towel behind Sam’s heel and glance over at the kids.

“You want to find that gap, and by staying low and dropping that shoulder . . .” I spring into action, ripping the towel from the ground behind Sam before I jog into the backfield.

“It allows you to find that gap,” I say once I’m finished. “Easy enough?”

All the boys nod enthusiastically.

“Who wants to go first?”

When all their hands shoot up, I start to understand what Mark means. I forgot why I fell in love with football all those years ago, but after ten minutes of being here, I’m starting to remember.

~

“Jake needs to work on his stance.” I ramble while we pick up the cones. “And Devonte? Your offensive player? He’s your star in the group. The speed and agility on that kid . . .” I shake my head in disbelief. “He’s going to be good. Really good.”

Mark hums a happy tune, and shoves one of the footballs into a mesh sack. “So, same time next week?”

My lips form a thin line while I contemplate my answer.

I can’t lie and say I didn’t enjoy myself today.

There’s something satisfying about watching a kid use your advice and nail the following drill or play after a few attempts.

But to take on a coaching job? One I’m not even sure exists?

That’s a lot of pressure, and it’s one I don’t know if I want to take on yet.

“I might be all right being a guest for a few more practices, but I’m not accepting a position or anything. I don’t want to let the kids down.”

Mark nods and passes me a bottle of water, and we take a seat on the bleachers. “I can respect that.”

“?Apresúrate!” Ronnie blows his whistle, signaling for the kids to wrap up their post-workout stretching.

“Ronnie speaks Spanish?” I ask.

“Oh, yeah. For a lot of kids, Spanish is their first language, so Ronnie mixes it up to include everyone and make them feel more comfortable here.” Mark stares blankly at the now-empty field.

“He’s one of the best guys I know. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be playing college ball.

I’d be . . . I don’t know. Somewhere in the system, I guess.

My schedule can be hectic, but Ronnie has a hectic schedule as the coach for State, too, and he still comes out here and dedicates time to teaching kids twice a week.

Helping out is healing for me too. I can be the role model for these kids that I never had growing up. Well, until I met Ronnie, that is.”

“I can see why,” I add. “You were right about it being a reminder of why we started playing in the first place, but I think playing college ball or playing football professionally is out of the cards for me. And it’s not because it’s not my passion.

I don’t like the pressure that comes with it.

I’m not a center of attention type of person.

Never have been. But you are, Mark, and despite what you went through growing up, I hope you make it out of here and make your dreams come true. ”

He takes a swig from his water bottle. “I’ve accepted that getting drafted probably won’t happen.

I didn’t have the money to attend all those fancy camps and get scouts’ attention.

Ronnie makes a good living, but not enough to house me and send me to those places.

I never expected it. Does it help Ronnie is the coach for State?

Sure, but that’s not enough when it comes down to it. ”

I realize how much I’ve taken for granted over the years.

My parents sent me to those camps in high school simply because I wanted to go.

I never stopped to think about people like Mark, who dedicate their entire lives to the sport but can’t attend camps because their families don’t make enough money.

“It’s happened before,” I say. “People get drafted all the time and have these incredible stories to tell about their background and the struggles it took to play professionally. Those people are inspirations to others. Don’t sell yourself short, dude. You’re killer at what you do.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll—” He stops abruptly when his gaze catches something in the distance.

Tabi, the girl from Happy Endings (also Ronnie’s daughter), is walking hand in hand with a young girl in a ladybug sundress.

Tabi seems upset, swiping at her face as she approaches her dad on the field, but Mark is already standing with his hands balled into fists at his sides. “I’m going to kill that motherfucker.”

I’m lost, unable to do anything but follow him to the other side of the field. The little girl is smiling, seemingly oblivious to Tabi’s distraught state as she races for the field and heads straight to the mesh bag filled with footballs.

“. . . and I told him I had a shift today, but he showed up early with her and claimed he had to meet up with friends .” She flings her arms into the air.

“He hasn’t seen her in two fucking weeks!

He gets her for one weekend and is already sick of her after a day.

I don’t get it. How could he not?” Her voice breaks as she stares at the little girl in the distance. “How can he not love his own daughter?”

“Because he’s a piece of shit.” Mark steps up to her side, his hand flexing like it’s taking everything in him not to console her.

Ronnie lets out a huff . “Can’t say I disagree. So, what did you tell your boss?”

“I told him I’d figure something out and hopefully I’d be back, but I didn’t know you had a meeting after this.

” She inhales deeply through her nose. “It’s fine.

Hopefully he’ll understand that I won’t be back to work the rest of my shift.

It just sucks because I needed the money. Rent is due on the first, and—”

“Leave her with me,” Mark says.

Tabi’s mouth snaps shut, and hazel eyes swing to his. “Why would I leave her with you ?”

“I don’t see anyone else offering.”

“I’d feel more comfortable leaving her with a pack of monkeys, but thanks,” she replies dryly.

“Oh, come on. I changed the girl’s diapers and fed her bottles when we all lived under the same roof. Annie loves me.”

“Because you’re the fun guy who throws parties and is so irresponsible that of course your personality would appeal to children.” She sniffles and swipes away more tears, cursing under her breath.

“Tabi.” Mark’s tone is soft, dragging her attention to his. “Let me take her for the day. No funny business, all right? We’ll go to the park, grab some ice cream, and we’ll meet you at Happy Endings when your shift is over.”

A long stretch of silence follows, their eyes never leaving each other’s, and I start to feel like this is a conversation I shouldn’t be overhearing at all.

“Fine,” she mutters in defeat. “But if anything happens, you call me the second —”

“—something goes wrong,” he finishes. “You have my word.”

Ronnie smiles at the two of them. “See? It isn’t so hard to get along, is it?”

Tabi rolls her eyes. “Don’t push it, Dad.”

“Well, I’m gonna get out of here.” I clear my throat and stick a thumb over my shoulder. “Thanks for having me at practice today. It was fun.”

“We enjoyed having you,” Ronnie replies. “I could use a second assistant, you know. If you’re interested.”

Mark laughs. “I already tried. Ethan’s going to take a while to come around, but we’ll wear him down eventually. He’s agreed to be a guest at a few more practices.”

“Well, I hope you change your mind.” Ronnie claps me on the back.

“Because, kid? I’ve never seen Jake work that hard during any practice we’ve held.

You’ve got a knack for this.” Then, as if he didn’t just give me one of the best compliments of my life, he blows his whistle and shouts, “Annie Rose! Pick those balls up. You’re going to go have some fun with Uncle Mark! ”

“Uncle Mark?” She squeals and jumps up and down. “This is the best day ever !”

“I’m not her uncle,” Mark mutters.

Ronnie waves a hand. “You might as well be.”

But when Mark’s eyes slide to Tabi, who isn’t paying attention to the conversation at all, I don’t think it was Ronnie he was trying to remind, but rather a woman who couldn’t care less about his affection.