I was half tempted to stay with my mother and brother, but they weren’t having it. They’d basically kicked me out of the house and demanded that I get to the game. I knew I’d get in trouble if I didn’t show up, but I honestly didn’t care. I was losing my mother. Anyone who couldn’t see the urgency in that could kiss my ass.
My mind wasn’t in the game. I could hear the people in the stadium cheering, but nothing was going to help me. When I walked into the locker room, Coach Joel was giving his speech and all heads turned my way. I was late.
I didn’t bother looking at anyone, just headed to the open spot between Derek and Aaron. I still had to put on my gear, but I figured it would be best to wait until Joel was finished. The last thing I needed was more of his wrath. There was no doubt he was going to ream my ass once he was done with his speech. I had texted Derek and told him what was going on, but I knew he wouldn’t have told anybody.
I stood beside Derek and he moved closer. “You okay?” he asked, whispering the words as quietly as he could.
Shaking my head, I kept my gaze on the coach. “Not really. My mom doesn’t have long.”
“Fuck, that’s not good. I’m so sorry, J.”
Everything Coach Joel said went in one ear and out the other until finally all the guys dispersed. Their energy filled the room, but for the first time since I started playing, I wasn’t feeling it.
“Dude, what’s going on? Why were you late?” Aaron asked.
“Reed!” Coach Joel shouted. Releasing a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes and slowly turned around.
Derek patted my shoulder and I nodded toward Aaron. “Go ahead and tell him. This might take a while.”
He nodded sadly and I stepped past him toward Joel, whose teeth were clenched so tight I could see his muscles tic. I followed him down the hall to his office, where he slammed the door behind me. “What the fuck is your problem, Reed? You show up late and walk in like it’s an inconvenience for you to be here. Are you trying to get suspended?”
“No, Coach. I just have some personal issues right now.”
He scoffed. “Well, unless your mother’s dying or you have an incurable disease, there’s no excuse for being late.”
My head snapped up and I growled. There were so many things I wanted to say, but with all of my emotions warring inside of me I knew I’d get kicked off the team. I was angry at life for allowing cancer to take it away, at God for letting it happen to my mother, and in a way, at my own mother for accepting death. She was leaving us and there was nothing I could do to keep her here.
When Joel noticed my reaction, his eyes softened and he sighed. “Please tell me your mother isn’t dying?”
I lowered my gaze. “I wish I could, Coach. She only has a matter of days left. I was late because I was spending as much time with her as I could.”
“Dammit, Jaxon,” he said, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrugged. “I don’t usually tell people my personal business. Plus, it’s not something that’s easy to talk about.”
“I understand that, but if you needed time to be with her then you should’ve told me so you could stay with her. Family is more important than the game.”
Taking a deep breath, I lifted my head and faced him. “It is, but my mother wanted to watch me play. And if you don’t mind, I might stay in Tampa a few more days.”
He nodded in understanding. “Take all the time you need. I would’ve given anything to spend more time with my mother before she died.”
“Thanks, Coach. I appreciate it.”
Swallowing hard, I walked out of his office and back to the locker room. Derek was talking to some of the guys on the team, the ones that were actually my friends. Ryan and Blaine, along with several of the others, laughed and carried on in the other corner as if nothing in the world mattered to them. I wanted to feel like that again. Caring about things hurt, and it fucking sucked.
Aaron slapped a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. “I’m so sorry, man. Just know that we’re here for you.” The other guys in our group all nodded and murmured words of encouragement before marching out of the locker room.
“Did you tell Joel?” Derek asked.
Nodding, I hurried and put on my gear. “He knows. I told him I’m going to spend some time out here this week before heading home. We don’t have a game next weekend, so it’s not like I’m missing much.”
“True,” he said sadly. Then his gaze shifted to someone over my shoulder. I turned around and it was Evan. Derek placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll see you both out there.”
He hurried out, leaving Evan and me alone in the room. “I wanted to say I’m sorry about your mother.”
“Thanks.” He held out his hand and I shook it. “And now that I have you talking to me, I wanted to tell you I’m sorry as well. I’ve been meaning to do it for some time now. Nothing can excuse what I did to you and Summer. It was stupid and it never should’ve happened.”
He let my hand go. “You’re right, it shouldn’t have. But I know firsthand how people can change. I’ve seen it with you over the past few months.”
I chuckled. “Derek and Hayden had a lot to do with that. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Now finish up so we can win this game.” He patted my shoulder and took off out of the room. We had to win the game. It was most likely the last one my mother was going to see.
—