Chapter 7
Seven
Will
It’s Saturday afternoon, and I’m sitting around the conference room with the general manager, my assistant coach, our scouting team, and my offensive and defensive coordinators.
The blinds are half open, letting some of the afternoon sun filter in.
The shadows are hitting the dry-erase board in rows, reminding me of yard markers.
The table is littered with yellow legal pads, hours-old coffee cups, and folders filled with reports. We’re making our lists and checking them twice. It’s a crucial time for all the teams in the league, and we’ll be practically living here at the stadium until draft weekend is over.
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.
“What?”
Jerry shakes his head and grins. “Good to see you living life outside of this job,” he tells me.
I chuckle. “I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.” I wave, and his laughter follows me out of the conference room as I race out to my truck.
I spot her small SUV immediately. I signal to pull over and park behind her. Leaving my truck running, I climb out and make my way to the passenger front window and knock lightly. She goes to open her door, but I open the passenger door before she can.
“Don’t step out on the road,” I say, and wince as I look into the back seat and see Mia sleeping peacefully. I drop down into the passenger seat and close the door, blocking out the noise of the traffic, hoping not to wake her. “What’s going on?”
“Did Bellamy send you?” Amanda sighs. “Of course, she did,” she says before I can answer. “She told me help was on the way and not to get out of my car, but she didn’t tell me who was coming. I’m so sorry to interrupt your day, Will. I know it’s a busy time of year for you.”
“You didn’t interrupt anything. Are you okay? Mia?” I ask, turning to glance into the back seat. Her car seat is facing the rear of the car, but I can still see she’s sleeping soundly.
“Yes, we’re both fine. I was coming home from the grocery store, and it just kind of died. All the lights went out. It just lost power. Traffic was light at the time, and I was able to maneuver to where we are now.”
“You did well,” I tell her. “Let me get your groceries loaded into my truck, and then I’ll be back to get you and Mia. Stay put out of the traffic until I get back.”
“I can help.” She starts to reach for her handle, but I place my hand on her arm, the one nearest me, to stop her.
“It’s okay, Amanda. I’ve got this. I don’t want the two of you near the traffic. I’ll get everything moved over. It won’t take me long.”
“I’m a big girl, Will. I can handle not jumping out in front of a moving car.” She huffs, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to hold my grin. I like this sassy side of her.
“I know you can, but let me do this. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to either of you after I’d just gotten my daughter back.
No way am I calling to tell her that I let her best friend or, heaven forbid, her daughter, get hurt.
Stay here. I’ll be right back.” I wink and climb out of her tiny car.
I’m a tall guy at six foot four, and whoever sat in her passenger seat before me was, well, not.
Moving to the back of her SUV, I hit the button and start loading her groceries into the back seat of my truck. I’m able to get them all to one side to leave the other open for Mia. Coral’s car seat sits in the middle, but baby Mia is too small for that one just yet.
Moving back toward the car, I open the passenger door and lean my head inside. “Groceries are all moved. You got everything you need?”
She holds up her purse. “Just the diaper bag.”
I nod. “Okay. I’m going to come get you. Sit tight.” I don’t give her time to argue before softly closing the door and walking to her side of the car. I wait for the traffic to pass before opening her door for her. “Go on to the truck. I’ll get Mia.”
“Oh, I can get her,” she says, but I’m already shaking my head, my hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the back of the car and to my truck.
“I got her. I’ll grab the diaper bag, too.
Reid called a tow, so we’ll wait in my truck until they get here.
” I pull open the passenger door for her, and she smiles.
“Thank you, Will.”
I nod. “Anytime.”
Rushing back to the car, I open the back door and smile.
Mia is still sleeping, and she looks every bit the angel that she is.
Carefully, so I don’t wake her, I unhook her seat and place it on the ground, before quickly removing the base and grabbing the diaper bag.
Lifting Mia back into my arms, I shut the door with my hip.
Amanda sees me and scrambles out of the truck, takes the base from me, and installs it in the back.
“I could have gotten that,” I grumble. It bothers me that she won’t let me take care of them. She’s so independent, and I know it’s because she has to be, but I’m here now, and I wish she would let me handle it.
“I’m faster than you,” she sasses, and I chuckle. Amanda finishes with the base and looks over toward me, blowing her hair out of her eyes. “All right, big man, hand me my daughter.”