Page 134 of Running
Carter walks me out of the lineman’s room after I wrap it up. “That was great, J. It’ll ease some nerves to know that you’re on the mend.”
“I hate not being able to play tomorrow, but if I can help even a little bit, I’m glad.”
He runs his hand over his mouth. “Look, I’m sorry to bring this up, but I apologize for telling Landon on the field about you and Grace. You kept saying her name, and he was getting agitated. Plus, I knew you’d want her to be able to see you.”
“Yeah, no worries, I get it.”
“Is he still pissed?”
My face sinks. “We haven’t even had a chance to talk, because I’ve been totally out of it and I’m not allowed to use electronics. But he gave Grace an earful on Monday.”
“J, you need to fix that. I mean, get better please, but also—fix that shit. Somehow it hasn’t leaked out onto the team yet. It could be poison if they know you’re fighting.”
I shut my eyes. “I know. As soon as I can, I’ll try to make it right.”
“I’m sorry to even make it a thing during your recovery,” Carter says with some remorse.
“It’s all good. I know it’s coming from the right place.”
We say our goodbyes as the trainer points to his wrist at an imaginary watch, like my time is up.
“Just one more quick stop to talk to Coach Houston.” He nods reluctantly—not much he can say to the franchise quarterback wanting to see the head coach.
This part of the visit is the hardest. Coach deserves to know what’s going on with Landon and me, as much as it’s going to suck to share it with him. And honestly, I need an advice session.
The trainer knocks on the door for me. “Come in,” Coach calls.
“Hey, it’s me.” I walk in and he stands up.
“Johnson, so good to see you up and about. How are you doing?”
“I’m alright, Coach. Better every day.” I sit down in my usual armchair.
“Good, son, good.” He sits back down. “We’re going to miss you out there tomorrow, but the first step is for you to recover.”
“Yeah, I guess we’ll have to see what week I can get healed up and the doctors clear me.”
He nods. “We’ll take care of business in the meantime.”
Anxiety starts flooding through me as I prepare myself to tell him about the possible rift I’ve created on the team.
It’s okay,I say to try to calm myself as I lean back in the chair.You're human.I replay snippets of my conversations with Mom and Grace to reassure myself.
And then I don’t let myself delay anymore.
“There’s—there’s something else though, Coach. It’s personal, but it could blow back on the team.”
His forehead crinkles. “Okay?”
“You know how Landon has a sister, Grace?” He nods.
I let out the breath I’ve been holding in. “We’re dating, and it’s gotten serious. Only we didn’t tell him, and he’s pissed as hell at me.”
Coach looks surprised, then thoughtful.
“I remember Margaret saying something about you having an interest in her. You’ve done this without telling Landon?”
“It might have been obvious I liked Grace to Margaret, but yeah, we kept it all hidden. Our plan was to tell him after the season.”
