“I don’t understand why you’d risk it all with something like this. You’re a bright kid, Nathan, well-liked, and a huge asset to this team. Now, I know basketball is probably the last thing on your mind right now, but we’re going to need you this year. Losing Zeke, Wes, and Malone all to graduation leaves us with a lot of re-building to do. I’m hoping you want to be a part of that.”

I think he wants me to answer this time, but my throat feels like I swallowed cotton. At the risk of my voice croaking like a twelve-year-old boy, I nod firmly. He’s wrong about basketball not being on my mind—it’s the only thing on my mind. I cannot lose my scholarship. Without it, there’s no way I can pay for school or stay in Valley.

Even with it, I’ve only survived thanks to my friends looking out for me. Joel stocks our pantry with food I know he doesn’t even like, and Wes is always covering me at the bar and giving me his old textbooks to sell for cash. The one coach just handed him was one of his own. Ain’t that some shit. My friends mean well, and they try to play it off like it’s nothing, but every handout chips away a little more at the normalcy of my life.

“Good.” He leans back in his chair. “Until further notice, I want you to report in with Coach Matt every week for testing.”

“But—”

He holds up a hand, and I fall silent.

“Weekly drug testing until I’m convinced today’s negative result wasn’t a fluke, and...”

Here it comes. I brace myself for the suspension I’m sure is coming. Goodbye, Valley.

“I’m making you co-captain.” His jaw flexes.

Mine hits the floor, and my heart sputters. Excitement, confusion, dread—I run through the gamut as his words sink in. I’d been uncertain about making captain before, unsure I even wanted the responsibility. The moment I walked through the door and saw my stash on his desk, that uncertainty went up in smoke. And surprisingly, I’d been sad about it. Being named captain is a huge honor that’s only put on the best and brightest on the team. I’ve proven time and again that I’m not either of those, but I guess a part of me still strives for it.

“Why would you do that?”

He smiles for the first time today. “Because it’s the best way I know to teach you some responsibility.” The expression on his face quickly falls back to anger. “This isn’t a three strikes and you’re out situation, Nathan. Next time, I’ll be forced to take much more extreme measures that won’t be good for you or the team. You hear me?”