to get himself added to detention, he spoke carefully. “Nick Gautier.”
Recognition lit the coach’s deep blue eyes. He actually appeared impressed. “You were first-string running back last year. What happened?”
Nick shrugged. “Stone’s mouth happened. It needed to be closed, and I was a little too obliging to shut it.”
The coach scratched his chin. “Your file says you were kicked off the team for your attitude.”
“File’s wrong. I was kicked off the team for Stone’s attitude. Mine was just fine. Still is, to be honest.”
The man made a sound that might be a laugh. Or a growl. “You interested in playing again?”
Nick gestured to his arm that was in the sling. “Can’t. I’m still recovering. Doc doesn’t want me to do anything to stress it.” An excuse he was milking for everything it was worth. One that worked with his mother, but not so much on Kyrian, who was a pitiless taskmaster. Every time he said something, Kyrian always shot back with, “Boy, I’ve gutted men who whined less than you. Now, move it.”
And apparently, the coach was in the latter category, too. “Yeah, but I can add you to the roster. Even if you don’t play. You are a legitimate player. C’mon, Gautier. I need just three more jerseys, and we’re all set for the play-offs. Do it for the school, or if not that, do it for Malphas. He’s worked hard this year. You gonna deprive him of a championship game because of a minor injury?”
Minor injury? He’d been shot and almost beaten to death by people he’d thought were his friends.
He looked at Caleb.
Go ahead and say yes. It’ll make it easier for me to keep an eye on you if you’re at practice with me.
He hated when Caleb and Ambrose played in his head. But Caleb was right. Since it was his fault Caleb was on the team in the first place, the least he could do was rejoin. Not to mention, he did look good in the black and gold jersey, and it kept him out of the hideous shirts his mother insisted he wear. At least on game days.
“All right. I’ll do it.”
“Great.” The coach grinned. “I’ll bring a jersey to you and see you after school today.”
Nick opened his mouth to tell him he was supposed to work, but the coach was gone before he could do more than gape. He met Caleb’s gaze. “Kyrian’s going to kill me.”
“Nah, he won’t. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
Nick wished he had that kind of confidence. In anything. But he didn’t. Life and jerks had basically kicked it out of him about the time he was two … maybe three. Sighing, he started up the stairs with Caleb one step behind him. As they entered the building, it seemed like everyone was chattering about items that had been stolen while the school was closed.
There were times when being poor was a blessing. Since he didn’t have anything to steal …
Even so, he remembered once a few years ago when his mom had splurged and bought them two five-dollar lawn chairs at Walmart. Dang if someone hadn’t stolen them off the back porch of their run-down condo. His mom had cried for a week, and if he could lay hands on the thief, they’d spend eternity limping. What kind of human being would steal plastic lawn chairs from someone who was so obviously poor? Surely there was a special corner of hell waiting with their name engraved on a plaque.
“Hey, Nick.”
He froze at his locker as Nekoda came up to him. “Hi, Kody. How you doing?”
She gave him that smile that never failed to heat his body up to an equatorial level. “Better now that I get to see you. I tried to call last night, but you didn’t answer. Did you get my message?”
Nick scowled. “My phone didn’t ring.” Pulling it out, he checked the log. “See.” He held it out for her inspection.
“Weird. I rang it three times.”
That was odd. Then again … “There might be something with our condo.” Other than the fact that it lived under a perpetual dismal cloud and was infested with roaches the size of his fist. It was probably over a hellmouth, too, that didn’t allow for any kind of reception other than two cans joined by a lengthy string. “Sorry I missed it. Did you need anything?”
“Just wanted to talk to you.”
He didn’t know why, but those words made his face heat up. Even though he kept having nightmares about