Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
He pulled me against him and promptly fell asleep.
18
BONES
God, I’d messed everything up with my parents, and Emil was acting skittish around me as well. Likely because I’d made the dumbass move of trying to open a beer bottle with my teeth. But he’d also shown up at Urgent Care and taken care of me afterward.
So, he was a true friend.
I’d been so on edge and wasn’t thinking straight. I’d wanted to punch a wall—or crack a tooth, apparently. All because I was feeling bummed about how it all went down with my parents. I knew I needed to reach out to them, to talk it through. But we were so good at pushing conflicts aside that this felt old hat to me.
Maybe that’s not good enough anymore…
Coach had caught wind of what happened last night and called me into his office before the team loaded onto the bus to watch an upcoming opponent’s game.
“How are you feeling?” Coach asked, but I could see the twitch in his jaw.
“Fine. Just a little residual pain.” It was actually a lot of achiness, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. “I know I messed up, but I’m okay to get on the bus with the team.”
“You don’t look fine,” he said, scrutinizing me. “Go back to your dorm and get some sleep. You’ll need it this week when you stay after practice to watch extra game video.”
“No, I—”
He folded his arms. “That wasn’t a request.”
It was the consequences of my actions, and Coach was trying to make a point.
“Yes, sir.” I kept my head down as I walked out of his office and back to the dorm, refusing to answer my teammates’ questions. Word would spread soon enough. Besides, it wasn’t like he was taking me out of a game. He was keeping me from an enjoyable activity with my football buddies. It was work to go scout a game, but fun too.
I was restless in my room, especially since Emil had decided to visit his grandmother for a pre-birthday celebration because of the bye week.
I tried watching the game on my own, but I couldn’t concentrate. So I grabbed my keys and went out the door. I walked around campus, ignoring a rowdy frat party, making my way toward the soccer field.
The stands were empty, so I scaled the steps and found a seat at the very top, away from probing eyes. I kept replaying my conversation with my parents. I needed to reach out to them before time got away from us. I took a deep breath and video-called my mom’s cell, knowing they’d be in the process of setting up for the fundraiser.
“Bruce, are you okay?” Mom answered, raising her voice above the din inside the venue.
Dad stepped into the frame with her. They were busy and had a ton to do but didn’t remind me of that. They just seemed relieved to hear from me.
“Uh-huh. I’m sorry about picking a fight yesterday.”
“We’re sorry too.” I could see the emotion in her expression.
“We’re glad you called.” Dad frowned. “Aren’t you supposed to be on a bus with the team?”
“I was, but…I cracked my tooth and had to get some dental work done. I figured you’d find out soon enough.” When they got the bill and co-pay. But I was going to offer to take care of that.
“How bad was it?” Mom asked, studying me.
I hoisted a shoulder. “Bad enough, but they were able to repair it. It’s all good.”
“Glad to hear it,” Dad said, then motioned to someone in the distance about one thing or another. I could hear tables and chairs being moved.
“Anyway, I know you’re busy setting up, so I’ll let you get back to it.”
“Sounds good, since the raffle baskets just arrived,” Mom replied, absently looking over her shoulder. “We love you, Bruce.”
“Love you too.”
I felt more settled on my way back to the dorm. The call wasn’t perfect, but maybe I had smoothed it over a bit with my parents.
I crawled into bed as soon as I got back and was able to get a decent night’s sleep.
The next morning, I grabbed breakfast, then pulled up the game on my laptop to get a jumpstart on the homework Coach was bound to give me. I filled Emil in on my weekend once he returned, and he seemed glad that stuff was on the mend. But things still felt strange between us, and I couldn’t put my finger on why. Maybe he was simply preoccupied with unfinished assignments and laundry.
By Monday’s practice, I was back on my game, and Coach took notice, complimenting me on tackles. I stayed after to watch game footage, then grabbed dinner before chilling in the common room with Spencer and A-Train.
But I was distracted, wondering where Emil was tonight, and Spencer pointed it out. “Hey, what’s with you lately?”