THIRTY-FOUR
Austin
The letter appeared in the campus newspaper the next day thanks to Teddy.
Dear Buffalo State Students,
Many of you know me from the football team. It pains me to say this, but I will be quitting soon. Why? Unwritten rules have put me in a terrible position. I’m being asked to choose between the two things I love most in life, football and a very special woman I met recently.
This wonderful woman means the world to me. Because of her, I’ve begun to understand love and that football may not be the most important thing in the world. I know, you’re probably surprised I would say such a thing, but it’s true.
My writing abilities are not great, but I want to publicly state that I was with Brooke Harrison on November 3rd, 2017. We were together from dusk until dawn, wrapped up in each other’s arms. She means the world to me, and I don’t care who knows anymore.
As I said, I will be quitting the team. This will affect our chances at winning the regional championship, but that doesn’t matter as much to me as my love for Brooke. To Coach and everyone else I let down, I apologize, but this is the right decision.
Yours if you will have me,
Austin King, Running Back
I read it three times, wondering what people would think. What Brooke and Coach and Trey would say. As I scrolled down the page, I saw the first comment. It was supportive. Over a dozen people had already commented, saying they backed me up and would protest if I got kicked off the team.
Was this really happening? Did I make the right decision?
As I sat in the Student Center food court, eating a bagel and reading the comments, my phone rang. Fuck. It was Coach.
I accepted the call and put the phone to my ear.
“Hey, Coach, about the letter…”
“Get your ass in my office. Now!”
He hung up on me. I sighed, wondering if I should finish my bagel first or not. Compromising, I took it with me as I walked across campus toward the stadium.
* * *
As soon as I walked in, I knew it wasn’t going to be good.
“What the hell is your problem, son?” he asked.
“I’m sorry, Coach, but I love her.”
“Sorry? I thought you were serious about football and going pro.”
“I am, Coach, but…”
“No buts,” he interrupted. “Do you know how competitive it is these days? Not very many men make it all the way to the pros. You have a special talent, but you’re wasting it away!”
“I’m sorry, Coach,” I said, staring down at my feet.
“Quit fucking apologizing! I’ve been getting calls all day saying there will be protests and petitions and who knows what else if I don’t let you keep playing.”
I looked up.
“You’re going to let me play and stay in a relationship with her?”
“Of course not,” he said. “But I’m going to give you one more chance to make the right decision. Break it off with her until you both graduate. I don’t care what you do then, but I need you practicing twice as much as you are now. You don’t have time for puppy love.”
“It’s not puppy love, Coach. I want to be with her.”
He glared at me in silence a moment, which made me more uncomfortable than his yelling.
“Are we on the same page?”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Good,” he said. “Go get suited up and on the field. We’re doing two scrimmage games today to prepare for the playoffs coming up.”
“But I’m not agreeing to ending it with her. I can’t do that.”
His eyes narrowed as he stared at me.
“You’re fucking kidding me, right?”
“No, Coach. I’m serious.”
He sighed and put a hand on my shoulder.
“Look, son. You’re making a huge mistake. Take it from me. I was in the same position as you many years ago.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded.
“And I choose the girl. Look where I am now.”
“You’re a great coach.”
“I know, but I would have been a better pro player. I’m sure of it, but I’ll never know for sure because I made the wrong choice. I don’t want you to make a wrong choice too.”
He squeezed my shoulder then moved his hand away. I had never seen him get so personal before. The idea of him being with a woman had never entered my mind.
“I’m not saying break it off completely, but tell her you need to cool it off for the next year. By that time, you’ll be in position to accept offers from some pro teams. She will be more than happy to wait for you.”
“It’s not like that, Coach. She doesn’t care about the money.”
He laughed and shook his head.
“You kids these days. Think you have it all figured out, don’t you?”
“I know I love her.”
“That’s well and good, but this is your one chance to do what thousands of other players in college right now can’t do … go pro. Do you want to throw that away, Austin?”
“No, Coach.”
“Exactly. The best way to do it is leave her alone. Don’t even talk to her again for now. By the time the semester is over, she’ll be dying to get back with you. At that point, you can explain your long-term goals to her. Trust me, son. This is for the best.”
I pressed my lips together and nodded, trying to let his advice sink in.
“Now go get ready.”
“Yes, Coach.”
I lied to my coach, a man I respected. But I didn’t care, I had to know Brooke’s reaction to the letter. She was the main priority now.