I sent a text to Dr. Jennifer Gioia, one of the team therapists, to find out if she was available right now. She was. “Let’s go see Jennifer. Maybe she can help you sort a few things out,” I said. Grayson headed in the opposite direction. “I’m not asking.” He turned back around and put his hands on his hips. The darkness in his stare was unsettling. “I want you to get help. I know something is eating you up and we have therapists to help. We all go to them. That’s why we have two on staff. It’s not a sign of weakness.”

“Fine, but I need to get out of these pads,” he said. He stomped off toward the locker room, removed his pads and cleats, and slipped on athletic slides. He grumbled under his breath the whole time. By the time we’d reached Jennifer’s office, he’d relaxed somewhat.

I knocked on her door. “Hey, Doc. Do you have some time to talk to Grayson?”

“Of course. Come on in, Grayson.”

She was the nicest person with a gentle disposition. During my sessions, I never felt like I was talking to a shrink. I felt like I was talking to a co-worker who had my back and supported my decisions. I was required to talk to her when the season started and it helped to get all my fears and doubts out and into the space between us. Three sessions later, I was good to go. I hoped she could do the same for Grayson. I squeezed his arm and closed the door, leaving them to fight his demons.

When I got back to the field, Jamal looked pissed. “Where’s Moats?” His voice was getting hoarse from yelling at everyone.

“He’s with the doc right now. Give him some space,” I said. It was a demand. It was also the first time I flexed on any of the offensive coaches. He nodded and turned his attention back to the field. Archie was doing an okay job, but I was sure he was getting tired of hearing how much Grayson carried the team. I somehow had to get the coaches back to the basics. They needed a reminder that this wasn’t the military. The men on the field had feelings and positive reinforcement was better than ass-kicking.

An hour later, Grayson trotted back onto the field with a better attitude. Whatever was eating him, Dr. Gioia helped fend it off. His throws were hitting their marks and he even joked with his teammates.

Chapter Twenty-one—The Quarterback and the Cheerleader

Past

I jogged over to the cheerleaders who were stretching and getting ready for tonight’s game. “I need a hair tie. Does anybody have a hair tie?”

“What?” Missy asked.