“Oh yeah?” he asks. “What’s that?”

Coach takes my three and a half seconds of silence for an answer.

“I thought you said you weren’t involved with the campaign.” He leans back, putting his feet up on the desk. “Here we go.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means, I was just hoping we’d even make it to preseason before it started,” Coach snarls.

I stand because something doesn’t sit right with me at the moment. “Before what started?”

“You being distracted.”

I widen my eyes. “Because I’ll be missing one day of a rookie camp I’m not required to be at, I’m distracted?” I point a finger at him. “You’re out of your mind. I’ve never missed a practice before. Not even a voluntary one.”

“Exactly. Not since she came around. You’ve also never had the balls to put a finger in my face before her either.”

I try to relax my shoulders. “Look, Coach. Parker⁠—"

“Fitz, I don’t give a shit who gets your dick wet. The point is we’ve been down this road with that girl before and clearly, you’ve learned nothing.”

Something inside me begins to change, and I have to bite my tongue to keep it in check. Because sitting across from me is the man who made me what I am today, the guy I’ve respected more than anyone in my life, on and off the field.

It wouldn’t be right if I got up and punched him right now.

So right now, I don’t. But the way I can’t push back the feelings leads me to believe that doesn’t mean one day maybe I won’t.

“We’re back to high school, aren’t we?” Coach scoffs.

That’s the thing. I’d kill to go back to high school so I’d be able to say then what I’m going to now.

“Parker isn’t a problem,” I repeat. “She never was.”

Coach’s jaw tics.

“I just got you a Super Bowl⁠—"

“You didn’t get me anything. You might be the icing on the cake, but you’re not the batter that makes that shit up, Fitz. Let’s be clear about that. I’ve been coaching this game since you were in diapers.” He leans forward on his elbows. “As for your girlfriend⁠—”

This time, I correct him. “Fiancée.”

“Whatever you call her is your business,” Coach snaps. “My business is coaching a winning team. You’re either all in or you’re all out.” He stands, closing his laptop, and walks toward the door. “If you’re all in her, you sure as hell aren’t here where you should be.”

Day 84