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“Yeah,” I say. “See you around, Emerson.”
Alex glares at Emerson’s back until he’s gone.
I throw on some clothes before we exit the locker room. We don’t make it very far before the door opens again behind us.
“Hey, Connor. Wait up!”
The group of very important people spill out. My father mutters something to them before breaking off and taking wide strides in our direction.
“You go ahead,” I tell Alex. “I’ll catch up.”
Alex nods. “Hey, Mr. Morgan.”
“Hey, Alex,” he answers with a wave, pausing beside me as Alex continues down the hall. “So, how you doing?” he asks me after a moment.
“I’m fine,” I say.
“Haven’t seen you much at home this week.”
“Yeah, I’ve been busy. It’s Rush Week.”
“I heard you guys had the Beta Brunch.” He chuckles. “You know, back in my day, they made us wear corsets.”
I don’t react.
He clears his throat. “You gonna be around for dinner tonight?” he asks. “Your grandpa is stopping by to see your sister off before we leave tomorrow morning.”
“Yeah, sure,” I say.
Dad deflates. “Come on, buddy. I’m trying here.”
I nod, stepping back. “Whatever you say, Coach.”
I leave. He doesn’t stop me.
Down the hall, I catch sight of Alex with his back to the wall, lingering near the corner with one ear on… something. As I approach, he motions for me to be quiet and points over his shoulder.
I pause beside him, hearing two voices. One much louder than the other.
“That’s not how it works, Dad,” Emerson says, completely calm.
“Don’t tell me how it works, kid.”
I deflate. Not the first time I’ve heard Douglas Floyd’s booming growl before, but I’d hoped those days in the vice principal’s office were long behind me.
“You were just a twinkle in my goddamn eye when I was playing here,” he says.
“Then you know no one plays in every scrimmage,” Emerson says. “Especially not scouts.”
“I did.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Don’t talk back to me.”
“I don’t know what you want, Dad.”
“I came here today to watch my son play football and I want to watch my fucking son play football! Not run drills off sides like a goddamn cheerleader!”
