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Jack

“ I want to see you hustle out there.” My tone is sharp as the boys line up facing each other. “The Dolphins will be ready for you. Show me you’re ready for them.”

In the entire school district it’s the Crystal Shores Dolphins and us, and every year, the rivalry gets more intense.

We’ve been out here for a week, and I’ve just about got the starting lineup set. We’ve got several freshmen on the defensive line this year, but our offensive line is full of seniors. I’d rather have a strong defense, but we’ll get there.

Offense scores points. Defense wins games.

I stand on the sidelines with my arms crossed and my cap lowered to help me focus.

Buddy Outlaw, my assistant coach, is with my brother Zane drilling the D-line boys.

I could use Garrett out here working with them, but he’s riding around in his truck keeping Newhope safe from jaywalkers and litter bugs.

Lord knows we don’t have any real criminals around here.

The brief thought tightens my throat, and I study Austin Sinclair calling plays and leading the team like he’s been doing it all his life .

My protective instincts rise, knowing he has no idea his dad is out of jail, that his mother is on guard, and that basically the entire Bradford clan is on low-key alert watching over them.

The idea of some ex-con drug dealer roaming the highways, possibly searching for her has me sleeping poorly at night and on edge during the day.

Allie’s a hard worker like her son. She’s good and honest. She takes pride in her work at the library, and she’s a great help to Dylan at the restaurant.

She has a sweet smile, and her pretty blue eyes are framed with thick, dark lashes. Her shoulder-length brown hair has a slight wave, and when she stands in the sun, it shines auburn.

In the summer, she wears cutoff jeans that hug her round ass and show off her muscular legs, and the way the Cooters the way it should be.

There’s no reason for me to grieve as if my own son were leaving the nest. It’s not even my nest, dammit.

“Garrett said he can be here in ten. Rachel’s got the kids, and they’re just tracking down kittens.”

Miss Gina and her kittens. “She needs to get those cats fixed.”

“I think she loves her yearly batch of babies,” Zane says with a chuckle. “Or she loves having all the kids over to play with them.”

We walk over to join the team, and I hold up my hand to get the boys’ attention. “Take ten more. My brother Garrett’s on his way over, and we’ll run a few more plays so he can get a feel for D-line. I need you boys to show me some teamwork. Offense, you’re looking good. Keep it up.”

The boys are sweaty, but I see some of them getting excited at the prospect of Garrett Bradford watching them play. He’s a favorite, and I’d wanted him to join my coaching staff when he retired from professional ball.

Looks like I’ll be stuck with Buddy a while longer.

“You’ve got the makings of a championship team out there, Bro.” Garrett leans against the bar, sharing a beer with Logan, Zane, and me at Cooters & Shooters. “I saw some real talent on defense. They’re just green.”

“They’d better mature quick.” I take a sip of my beer. “I need twenty-two players ready to go in two weeks, and right now I only have eleven.”

“You’ve got more than that,” Garrett laughs, gripping my shoulder. “Take a breath. We got this. ”