Page 38 of Hard Count (Newhouse University #4)

COACH PRESCOTT

My eyes drift to the clock on my computer screen.

Drew and the team are deep into their morning practice right now.

I’ve known about their secret since the first week but I’ve kept my distance.

I didn’t want to intrude. She was so hesitant about moving back.

I wanted her to feel like she could pave her own way here.

It’s probably another mistake on my part. I tighten the reins on her when she should’ve had freedom and I give her space when she needs me most. It’s always been a delicate balance with her that I’ve never figured out.

I check the clock one more time. My hands itch to grab my hat and coat and go watch the last half of their practice. Fuck it. I slam my laptop shut and put my hat on. I take one last sip of my coffee before walking out of my office and down to the practice field .

Turning Drew away in my office months ago wasn’t something I wanted to do but at the time I felt like it was the best choice I could make.

Graduating needed to be her priority. I’ve seen my daughter run herself into the ground studying game film.

It becomes an obsession. I didn’t want that for her.

I wanted her to have fun but also focus on her future.

The cool December air smacks my face as soon as I hit the sidewalk. Whistles blow and shouts fill the distance between me and the field, making me grin. She must really be putting those boys through it this morning.

I find a seat on the empty bleachers near the twenty yard line. A few of the defensive players surround Drew as she explains something she has written on her clipboard. Once the defense is in position on the line of scrimmage, Nash calls one of our passing plays.

Trey pushes past the offensive line and touches Nash before he’s able to get the ball off.

I’m glad to see he only tagged him and didn’t take him down.

He's a good football player but he has a terrible attitude. If he had fought with any other player, I wouldn’t have hesitated to make the call to bench him or cut him from the team.

But I can't punish one without the other.

It wasn't something I was willing to do to Nash.

Maybe it was because Drew scouted him for Newhouse or maybe it was my fatherly instincts kicking in. I've always felt a connection with the kid. Somewhere deep inside I knew he would be an important part of my life. Fatherly instincts . I laugh to myself. Do I really think I have those ?

Drew says something to Nash and he nods in understanding.

Then she goes back to the defense and instructs them again.

Nash calls the same play but this time he watches the defensive line before calling the snap.

When he steps back, he anticipates the rush and spins out of the way allowing him time to get the ball off and throw it down field to Lucas.

I stand and clap, forgetting that I’m trying to go unnoticed.

Panic flashes over Drew’s face and her body tenses.

I hate that I’m the cause. Nash glances at me and then back to her.

He removes his helmet as he walks toward her.

Gathering her in his arms, he presses a kiss to her forehead.

After a few words, he kisses her again and starts jogging in my direction.

“Coach, what are you doing here?” he asks, sitting beside me.

“I’m making the first move. I thought I could start here with one of her practices. You didn’t think you were doing this all season without me knowing, did you?” I watch my daughter as she lines the team up for another play and double checks her notes.

“I had a feeling you had an idea after I mentioned she pointed out a few things after week six but she didn’t want you to know about her involvement with the team. I had to honor that.”

“Your loyalty is to her over your coach?”

“Every time,” he says with certainty.

“That’s good to hear. She’s good at this. She’s always been able to see beyond the play. It wasn’t just about what the players were doing with the ball. She’d learn their mannerisms and how they'd react under pressure. She figured out how to read the players and helped them lean into their skills.”

“If you thought she was going to be an asset to the team, then why didn’t you let me tell you it was her idea? Why didn’t you let her help?”

Sighing, I stare out to the field. Drew’s eyes meet mine for a brief moment. I smile but it makes her drop her gaze back to her clipboard. “If you told me it was her, then I would have said yes. I let my fear push her away.”

“Your fear?” he questions.

“That’s an answer I owe my daughter.”

“I agree. She doesn’t have classes for another hour. She really likes the cinnamon rolls at The Round Table.” He pats my shoulder as he stands. “I’ll get this wrapped up if you want to talk to her.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem. I would do anything for her.” He glances over at her briefly. “She might be scared but she’s also strong. The truth can’t hurt her anymore than the lies already have.” He leaves me with his parting words that feel similar to a stab in the heart.

My players nod and say hello as they file off the field. Drew and Nash being the last two in line. He kisses her on the cheek before leveling me with a glare that basically tells me he doesn’t care who I am. If I hurt her, I’m fucked. It’s a relief knowing she has someone like him in her corner .

“Would you like to grab a bite to eat or a coffee? I hear the cinnamon rolls are good at The Round Table,” I say when it’s just the two of us.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea since I work there. Can we stay here?” she asks, noticing my disappointment.

“Sure.” I wave a hand toward the bleachers. “How are they looking for this weekend? We need to win to make the playoffs. New Orleans has a trick defense.” Talking about football has always come easy for us. It’s the one thing we have in common but also what ultimately made me lose her.

“Nash is overcorrecting. That’s what we were working on today.

He needs to run the play and trust the offensive line to do their job holding the defense back.

He’s trying to do it all.” She passes me her clipboard with some plays drawn out and her notes.

“These are New Orleans’ most common defensive plays. ”

“When you came to my office, I didn’t look at the report you handed me because I knew what I would find.

” I flip through the papers she’s given me.

Every play is detailed and mapped out with precision.

“You’ve already proven to me and others that you know the game.

I couldn’t look at it because I would have said yes to you helping.

I was afraid being too close to me—to football—would change you.

” I lean forward on my knees and drop my head.

“Why?” she asks in a whisper. "You're my dad."

Her words choke me, making it difficult to speak but I have to try. “For most of my life I loved football more than anything.” I turn my head in her direction. “Until you. When you were born, you became my entire world. It may not feel that way now, but you were always my priority.”

“It didn’t always feel that way then. It’s hard to believe that I came before football if I’m being honest.”

“As much as it pains me to hear you say that, I understand. When you were younger I brought you with me whenever I could. But I never wanted the game to be your entire life. I’ve tried to shield you from it.

Maybe it was a mistake but it was a risk I took to protect you.

When I made the choice to come to Newhouse, I did it with your future in mind.

I wanted more for you. I thought being here would give that to you. Instead, I lost it all.”

Drew stares blankly at the field. “You filed for the divorce. It was your decision to break up your family. We were never perfect but we were together. You could have kept us together.”

“I could have but I wasn't happy. You were the only thing that brought me joy but Laura did her best to ruin that too. I divorced your mom. I didn’t divorce you. I filed the divorce papers thinking it would be you and me. My lawyer led me to believe I had a winning case."

Neither one of us anticipated the length Laura would go to play the role of good wife and mother for the judge.

"I tried to keep you with me. I don’t want you to think for a second that I didn’t.

I had to play the part with Laura. After she was able to convince the judge to give her custody, I changed tactics. ”

How do I tell her that her mom didn’t care? Laura didn’t do anything because she wanted her daughter or what was best for her. Everything she did was with the intention of hurting me.

“If you acted like you didn’t want me, then she didn't mind handing me over?" she questions. I nod in confirmation. "I hate her,” she says with clenched fists.

“I’m sorry you’re finding this out now. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling. I wanted to shield you from her as much as I could. If I acted like visitations annoyed me and were a nuisance to my bachelor lifestyle, she’d give me more time with you.”

“The whole time I lived with her she made you out to be the bad guy. You never said anything. You let me hate you.” Her eyes gloss over and it breaks my heart to see my little girl like this.

“It's okay." I sigh, trying to think of what to say to relieve any guilt she might be feeling.

"I wanted the hate on me. I was worried what Laura would do when it was just the two of you.

Would she treat you poorly if she thought you wanted to live with me?

I thought it would be best if I was the bad guy for both of you.

I spent years in court trying to get you back.

I wanted you with me but if I couldn't have you, I at least wanted you to be happy.”