After a week of volunteering at the center, I started to realize the impact I had on the kids. It was kicking my ass splitting up my time between the Sharks and the kids, but I had a sudden need for both.

Julie hadn’t made things any easier. Every time I saw her all I could think about was the night at the back of Catch. But she wouldn’t let me get close to her.

A bell rang in the distance and at least two dozen kids started to rush the field. I watched as Hunter melted into the background, not wanting to be a part of the group.

For some reason it bothered me. I’d observed it for days. They were like a pack of dogs, picking on the puppy. If I had a few minutes alone with Hunter he wasn’t that shy. I’d gotten to know the kid. But as soon as the older kids showed up, he retreated faster than a guy on special teams trying to dodge a tackle.

One of the older kids picked up the discarded football the children started to sort teams. I strolled over to Hunter and waited for him to make eye contact with me.

“Why are you not over there playing?” I asked him.

“They don’t it when I play.” His voice was quiet. I wanted to wipe the smudge of dirt from his cheek but I stuffed my hands in my pockets. I knew he had a no-contact policy.

“Why not?”

“Because they said only kids with families should play. No one is going to come see me play so there is no point.”

“The little shits said that?”

Truth was I didn’t know Hunter’s story. Not all of it anyway. But I wasn’t always the star quarterback. I didn’t always play in the AFA. I had a past. One I wasn’t proud of. Only that I had survived it.

Hunter’s eyes widened.

“Sorry. Language.” I shrugged. “Don’t tell Miss Bristow. Ok? I’ll work on it.” I hadn’t cut much cursing, but I knew she hated it around the kids.

He smiled lightly.

“Let’s go. If you want to play, you’re getting in that game.” I almost slung my arm around his shoulder.

“No it’s ok, really. I don’t mind not playing.”

“Well, I only play with the best so unless you come I’m not playing.” I smirked. All week I had been tossing passing with him. I’d never seen so much natural talent.

“Really? You think I’m good?”

“Damn straight kid, now let’s go.”

He ran ahead of me. Before I even reached the huddle I already heard the kids telling him they didn’t want him there. That he didn’t need to play. I listened, wanting to hear every word. Every second that passes made my blood run hotter.

I didn’t get how little kids could be so mean and hateful to each other. What the hell happened to playing together and having a good time? Why did they give two damns about who had what or who was who? These little fuckers had no idea how good they had it. It pissed me off even more.

“No one wants you, Hunter. Even your family didn’t want you. You can’t even find a new family to want you. You suck. Go away.”

I saw the poor little guy trying his best to be strong and stay there. He was doing what I asked him to do. It filled me with pride. I wanted to wrap him up in a tight hug and let him know that he had someone in his corner.

There was a ringleader in gangs. There always was. I walked to the center of their circle. I turned my head to the left and the right as if I was searching the crowd for someone and then I pointed to the oldest kid. I could see Hunter out of the corner of my eye. His shoulders dropped and his whole body looked like the world was sitting on top of them. No eight-year-old deserved that.

“What’s your name?”

There was fear in the kid’s face. “J-Jamie.” He swallowed hard. Suddenly the ring leader wasn’t the badass he thought he was.

“Well, Jamie. We’ve known each other how long?”

True I hadn’t memorized their names. The only one I really kept an eye on was Hunter.

“A week, sir.”

I nodded. “Yeah. A week. Thought we could scrimmage today.”

I heard them whisper around me.

“Ok.” Jamie wasn’t entirely sure where I was going with this.

“And I get to choose the team captains. You know what the Sharks expect out of their QB?”

The kids around me shook their heads.

“They want some damn loyalty.” I’d apologize for the cursing later. “They want someone they can count on. A man who will have their back on game day. Not some dick, talking shit about them.”

I glared at each and every one of them.

I flicked my hand, beckoning Hunter to come stand next to me. He was slow to push through the crowd. I handed him the ball and then looked out at the rest of kids watching.

“Hunter is going to be team captain of the blue team,” I announced. “And if I were you, I’d want to be on his team. Because he can throw almost as good as me.” I winked at Hunter. “Almost. So who wants to play on Team Blue?”

A flock of hands launched into the air immediately. I smiled. I looked at Hunter. “Pick your team, kid. The rest play with me.”

Hunter stood straight, shoulders square. His voice was sure and confident as he choose his team. I patted him on the shoulder and smiled down at him proudly as the rest of the kids fell in line.

Maybe tomorrow I could find some way to convince Cal and Joe into coming down here and playing a little with the kids. Hell, I might even be able to get Aaron too, if I get him away from that bitch his dating long enough. It would help Hunter to know that he has the whole DC Sharks backing him up. Maybe all these other little fuckers will start to be nicer.

Not that I really cared. The kid sort of reminded me of myself when I was his age. I sure as shit wished someone had stepped in and offered me a hand up a time or two.

“All right. Let’s play some football,” I announced.

She was standing in the doorway. The same place she was every night when the field was more dark than light.

“How was it, kiddo?” she asked Hunter.

He grinned. “Awesome.”

“Ok, get your stuff and I’ll drive you back.”

I noticed she never called it home. Hunter ducked past her and ran through the halls.

“He’s really good.” I crossed my arms, leaning on the door opposite of her. My eyes followed her legs up to her hips. Those tight skirts she wore drove me crazy.

“I’m glad he has found something he likes. I didn’t know if it would happen.” I heard sadness there.

Shit. I was going to ask. I knew it.

“So, what’s the kids’ deal? You always wait for him at the end of the day. Does he stay with you or something?”

She closed her eyes. “He’s in between foster care right now.”

“Shit,” I muttered.

“He’s in a home for children waiting to be placed with another family. It’s worse than an adoption center. He has no normal. No security. No one. And when he does get placed who knows how long he’ll stay there. He’s already been with three different families.” Her eyes misted and I felt something rip through my chest.

I took a step forward, brushing my hand against her arm.

“He’s a good kid.” I spoke slowly. I wanted her to know how deeply I believed it. How deeply I already believed in this kid.

She nodded, wiping the tear from her cheek. “He is. I love him. I’m not supposed to do that, but I do. I can’t help it. There’s something about him, you know?”

She looked up at me with those big blue eyes. “I do know,” I replied.

What the fuck was happening?

“I’m ready.” Hunter bumped in between us and I took a quick step back.

“Hey, buddy.” I ruffled the top of his head and I heard him giggle. It had taken all week for him to let me get that close. It was my own kind of victory.

“We have to get going,” Julie said it, but I didn’t know if she wanted to let me know or Hunter.

“Right.” I had an owners’ meeting. The playoffs weren’t going to fucking win themselves. There was strategy and personnel to discuss with management. It was one of the pros or cons of being the quarterback. I had team and administrative roles whether I liked it or not.

“Good night, Hawk.”

Julie guided Hunter out the door toward the parking lot.

My first response was to follow her ass as she sashayed on those high heels. But as they walked farther away and I saw Julie lean down to say something to Hunter. I wanted to run up behind them and wrap my arms around their shoulders. It was in that moment I knew I was in way over my head.