Coach Lowe heaves a big sigh. “Here’s what’ll happen. Brian will take you, Jack, to student services or whatever it’s called, and get you tested. Brian, how long will it take?”
“A couple of days, maybe a week at the most.”
“Have it take a couple of days.” He points the tip of his pen at Jack. “We’re putting you on academic probation until the results of those tests come out. If they show you have a learning disability, then we can do stuff for you. Right, Brian?”
“That’s right. If you have a reading or writing disability, Western allows for reasonable accommodations. Those can include oral examinations instead of written ones. Take home tests instead of in-class tests and any other services deemed reasonable and necessary by the administration.” He rattles off a few more ways that Jack can get help, none of which make him feel any better.
“Will I be able to work out with the team?”
“Work out, yes. Play, no.” Coach Lowe levels a hard look at Jack. “If you had come to me sooner, we might not have had to suspend you, but this late in the year it’s safer for the program.”
Meaning any wins that they have won’t get jeopardized by Jack’s academic standing.
“It’s my f—” I start to say again but Coach Lowe cuts me off with a swift slash of the pen.
“And for you, Miss Campbell, starting tomorrow morning you are hereby banned from the Western State football team. I don’t want to see you within fifty feet of anyone wearing a football jersey. If one of them is in your class, you sit as far away as possible. You don’t talk to them. You don’t smile at them. You don’t even breathe the same air as them. You got that?”
I nod. My own cheeks flush red hot with shame as if I’d gotten caught by Coach Lowe having sex with Knox in the locker room.
“If I see you near any player, I’ll kick that player and your brother off the team. I don’t care if it’s Knox Masters or Ace here. Their continuing ability to play depends on you, Ms. Campbell.”
I gasp when the full impact of the ban hits me. I’m supposed to cook dinner for Knox’s brother this Friday.
“What about Jack? He is her brother,” Ace points out.
“Obviously I can’t prevent you from spending time with your family, but on campus, keep it as minimal as possible.”
“So the ban is all players but her family,” Ace presses. I glare at him to shut up before he gets himself in trouble.
Coach Lowe narrows his eyes at Ace but says tersely. “Family is exempt.” He turns away from Ace, done with him.
Jack opens his mouth to protest but Coach Lowe doesn’t want to hear from him either. “You want to stay on this team, you play by my rules. Your sister is a problem and you need to excise problems from your life if they affect your play.”
“With all due respect, sir, my sister has only ever wanted to help me. She’s not the problem. I am for not facing up to my issues before. I never wanted to admit I might have a learning disability. I don’t like it much now either. But it’s there and I’ll do that testing, but Ellie has only ever wanted to help.”
“That’s a nice speech,” Coach Lowe replies coldly. “But this is my team and my rules. You want to play, you’ll have to abide by the punishment I send down.” He points his pen at me again. “I don’t want either of you telling the players about this. I’m not the bad guy here.”
I can see it’s on Jack’s tongue to protest. I catch his arm. “Please,” I beg softly. “If you get kicked off the team, I’ll be sick with guilt for the rest of my life. Please let’s take our lumps. Otherwise I’ll never look at myself again without utter loathing.”
Jack’s face hardens from regret to resolve. With a short nod, he turns to Coach Lowe. “Okay. I want to play.”
Coach Lowe waves his hand. “Get out of here. You’ve all got stuff to do. Ace, how’s the arm.”
“Good, sir. Feels good.”
“Keep icing it.”
“Plan to.”
30
Ellie
I wait until we’re out of earshot of Coach Lowe’s office before spinning on Ace. “Do you think he’ll kick Masters off the team?”
“Maybe not. But he’d probably pull his support for Masters going pro after this season. I wouldn’t test Coach.” Ace walks off, presumably to continue icing his arm.
“What will you do?” Jack asks. “Text him?
I rear back. “No. I won’t break up with him via text. Is Coach Lowe bugging the phones? I'm calling him.” No way I would do it so cold heartedly.
“He'll talk you out of it,” Jack warns.
I wish.
When I get back to my apartment after classes, I check the time. Knox will be going to film class. I rub a hand over my eyes, wanting this to all go away.