Principal Grim was just about to end the meeting when Sebastian stepped forward, jamming his hands in his pockets in a way that instantly brought Matty to Via’s mind.

“Principal Grim, I was wondering if I could make a quick request?”

“The floor is yours, Mr. Dorner.”

Every eye in the room switched to Sebastian. Via watched in amazement as most of those eyes, young and old, cruised lazily from his face to his body and back again. He was seriously a big-ticket item at this school.

“I’m having a bit of trouble with the second-grade soccer group.”

Via looked up at him in surprise.

“It’s a bigger group than last year and rowdier. I have a few other parent volunteers, but honestly none of us know what the hell we’re doing with the higher-needs kids. So, I was wondering if one of you brilliant, selfless, awe-inspiring trained educators wouldn’t mind observing for a few practices? Maybe teach me some strategies to maintain order?”

For the second time in less than an hour, Via was utterly floored by Sebastian Dorner. He seemed like such a he-man. But here he was, asking for help, like it was no big deal. He was admitting that he’d been struggling, that he wanted to do better, to learn. She looked up at him standing there, such a huge, competent presence. And for the first time, she noticed the gray at his temples and smattered through his dark head of hair. A thought struck her. This is a grown man.

“I’ll help, Sebastian,” Sadie called out from across the room, tossing her chin-length red hair back. A few other ladies scowled, obviously having wanted to help the fabulous Mr. Dorner themselves. “I had most of those kids in my class last year anyway.”

“Great!” His smile transformed his face, squint lines and all those white teeth.

Via shifted in her seat and cleared her throat.

The room emptied, and Sadie came up. Via was still gathering her thoughts about what she’d just seen. She wasn’t sure why it had surprised her so much to see him ask for help like that. But it had moved something. She just wasn’t sure what.

“I’m warning you, though,” Sadie said, her engagement ring sparkling as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder. “I don’t know squat about soccer.”

Sebastian laughed. “Well, that pretty much makes two of us.”

“But you’re the coach,” Via said, buttoning her light fall jacket.

“Yeah, but only because I wanted to be involved in whatever sport Matty wanted to play. I was a football player as a kid, but honestly, I was relieved that he didn’t have any interest. Dorners have thick skulls—” he knocked on his own “—but I wasn’t ready to watch my boy become a stain on the field.”

Via blinked at him. She’d really, really stereotyped him. She’d thought, from his size and presence, that he was some machismo-filled gorilla. But here he was, an artist, unashamed to ask for help when he needed it and steering his son away from football because of brain injuries?