“Maybe nothing. But one look at their players’ stats from last season compared with their stats now, and I think you’ll see a glaring difference in the size and performance of these boys. They’ve been dishing out concussions and compound fractures all season. Last week a hit from their middle linebacker caused a collapsed lung in one player and a ruptured spleen in another…on the same play. Did I mention that they’re also undefeated?”

“Your point?”

“I’d say the Badgers football team might be doing more than just eating their Wheaties.”

Savannah rolled her eyes again. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and started to go, but stopped. “Hold on. Just what are you saying?”

Kip lit another Winston. “I ain’t saying nothin’. But if we do get to that district championship game, I’d sure hate to see any of our Jackrabbits get hurt the way them Elmwood Badgers have been putting the hurt on other teams. Before long, somebody’s gonna get hisself kilt.”

Savannah gnawed on the inside of her cheek. “You really think there’s something shady going on?”

Kip met her gaze. “Don’t matter none, does it? You ain’t interested.”

She started to press him further, but decided against it. Instead she cranked up Avril Lavigne on her iPod, slapped Kip on the back, and told him she’d catch him later.

Kip watched Savannah until she was out the door. He sent a few smoke rings toward the ceiling as Bernice topped off his coffee.

“You finally let the poor child go?”

“Not now, Bernice. I’m thinking.”

“Well, think about going easy on her, will you?”

“Ah, she can take it. You ask me, that kid’s tough as nails.”

“Yes, tough as nails and wise beyond her years, but she’s still an only child from a single-parent household, trying to make it in a new town.”

“She’ll be just fine, Bernice. Nice gal with her looks . . .”

“Oh, she’s a doll. Red hair. Green eyes. That adorable figure.”

“Nice freckles, too . . .”

“She’ll have no trouble turning heads, Kip, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Things still aren’t going to be easy on her at first, and you know what I mean. Anyway, I’d hate to lose her business, not to mention her company, so you and Don Paul both need to give her some breathin’ room.”

“What’d I do? I was schoolin’ her on a thing or two is all. Sue me.”

“You shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“Brought it up? Hell, woman, that football team is the only thing in this town anyone is talking about. We sure as hell don’t have anything else going for us.”

“I meant you shouldn’t have brought up the coach.”