Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
We’ve been here since early this morning because it’s crunch time. The draft is on Thursday, and this year, Nashville is hosting, which means we, the Rampage, are hosting. It’s great because I don’t have to travel. I get enough of that during the season. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind traveling, but as each year passes, I’ve come to realize that being home, even one filled with silence, is my preference over living out of a suitcase.
“What about that running back from Georgia?” Frank, my offensive coordinator, suggests. “Get him in here and learn from Sinclair and Vaughn.”
“He’s a definite maybe. Kid’s got good numbers. He nailed his agility test, too,” I comment just as my cell phone rings. Inwardly, I groan, and I want to ignore it, because old habits die hard, but I check it anyway. When I see my son-in-law’s name on the screen, my stomach drops to my toes. “Reid,” I answer, my voice gruff.
“Hey, Dad,” Bellamy greets me.
“Bellamy, is everyone okay?” I hold up my finger to the guys and stand from my chair, stepping out of the conference room. “I thought you were visiting your mom this weekend?”
“Yeah, we’re fine, and we are. I kind of have a favor to ask. Reid was going to call one of the guys, but I told him I wanted to ask you first, so he handed me his phone.”
Slowly, I exhale, feeling my shoulders ease. “What’s up, sweetheart?”
“Well, Amanda just called me, and she’s stranded. Her car broke down, and she’s on the side of the road. She doesn’t want to call a tow truck and ride with them because she has Mia. She forgot we were at Mom’s when she called and asked—reluctantly, I might add—if we could help. Reid was going to send a group text to the guys, but we know that Knox’s family is in town, so Knox and Landry are out. Camden hasn’t been feeling well, and Foster and Eden are on a trip to the zoo with the kids from the children’s home. I was hoping that you’re already home from the stadium and might be able to help her?”
I look through the conference room window, and there’s still so much work to do, but my daughter is asking me to help her best friend, and I can’t say no. I don’t want to say no. I want to be someone she knows she can depend on, beyond dinner invitations and babysitting. Besides, we’ve been at this all day. We might as well all go home, get some rest, and regroup tomorrow.
“Can you send me her location? I’ll leave the stadium now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I’m happy to do it. Send me her location. Have you called a tow truck?”
“Reid is going to call one and have them take it to McIntosh Garage.”
“Perfect. Text Amanda and tell her not to get out of her car for anyone, even the tow truck, until I get there.”
She sighs with relief, clears her throat, sniffs, and says, “Thank you, Dad,” with a crack in her voice.
“Anytime, sweetheart. Give Coral a kiss from me, and tell your mother, Cliff, and Reid that I said hello. I’ll take care of Amanda and Mia. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I appreciate that. I worry about her.”
“I know you do. Now, send me her location so I can get to them.”
“Thanks again. Love you.”
She ends the call before I can tell her that I love her, too, and I know my daughter, and that quick hang-up was by design. I hate that she’s choked up because I’m willing to do this for her. Guilt sits heavily in my gut, but that’s in the past. I know what life is like when we barely communicate. I don’t ever want to go back to that.
Sliding my phone into my pocket, I feel it vibrate with Amanda’s location.
“Fellas, let’s call it a day,” Jerry, our general manager, announces, and everyone in the room gives him their full attention, including me. “We’ve been at this all day. Go home. Have dinner with your family. We’ll meet back tomorrow, say around noon? Sleep in, get some family time. We’ve been over these lists, the tape, and the stats, what feels like a million times. A little time to rejuvenate won’t hurt us.”
He doesn’t get a single complaint, but he does get a few smiles and nods of appreciation. I move to where I was sitting and gather my things.
“You in a hurry, Coach?” Jerry chuckles.
“Yeah, my daughter just called, and one of her friends is broken down on the side of the road with her baby. They’re out of town this weekend, and she asked me if I could help. I was on my way in to tell you I had to step out, but you beat me to it.” I continue to gather my things, and when I look up, I find him staring at me.