13. McKinley
“What’s the plan? We can’t exactly go in there and kick the shit out of a bunch of kids.”
I rub my palms together as I grin at my teammates. “No, but we can scare ‘em.”
Alex shoots me a warning glare. “Seriously, what’s the plan?”
I turn my attention to Kellerman. “This was your idea. How’s this going down?”
“We make our anti-bullying speech. We give a spotlight to Avery, letting everyone know that he’s our friend who invited us today.” Chance crosses his arms over his chest. “Then the principal will remind the students of the consequences of bullying at school, and the coaches will let their teams know that any athletes caught causing problems will be kicked off their teams. Hopefully, that sends the message.”
I have zero tolerance for bullying. Athletes are supposed to be role models and leaders. They shouldn’t be the ones instilling fear in the rest of their school.
“Remind me why he’s here?” Jason arches a dark brow in Kellerman’s direction.
It does look strange, having him here when he’s not one of the Goldfinches. And I can’t tell my teammates that I used to fuck someone on our rival team—not because they wouldn’t support me, but because Kellerman is hellbent on hiding what we had.
Kellerman’s jaw clenches. “I’m friends with Avery’s aunt.”
Alex nods, and claps him on the shoulder, ever the peacemaker. “It’ll look great having two rival teams here, coming together for a good cause. Show the kids that if we can get along, so can they.”
That’s why Alex is our captain. He’s level-headed and understanding, and can swallow his pride for the greater good of the cause.
The gymnasium fills with students while we wait to be introduced.
Principal Sturges takes the microphone and quiets everyone down. “We have some very special guests with us today. I hope you’ll give them a proper Rebels welcome.” He pauses for dramatic effect, and then he announces us into the room. “Our very own Jersey City Goldfinches, accompanied by Philly’s Chance Kellerman.”
The students erupt with surprised cheers, and we enter the booming gymnasium.
I lock eyes with Avery, sitting in the front row like we requested. He’s wringing his hands in his lap, and his eyes are wide. He said he doesn’t want to be called up to the podium with us, but he’s aware we’re going to point him out to everyone to thank him for inviting us here.
I’ll admit, I’ve never been shy. I don’t know what anxiety feels like, and I was never the loner kid growing up. He has more in common with Kellerman, and fuck if that doesn’t make me feel jealous. But I want to show him, and Presley, that I’m here for them.
I shake the principal’s hand, and take the microphone from him. “Ramtown Rebels, how are we doing today?” The students cheer again. “We’re here today because our good friend Avery King invited us. Does everyone know Avery?”
The students look around the room, their heads whipping left and right until Principal Sturges walks over to him and points him out. Avery lifts a meek hand to wave to everyone, his cheeks tinged with a deep red as students clap to thank him.
“As some of you might know, us hockey players get into fights on the ice. The game is intense, and our emotions run high. I’m sure you’ve seen me get into it with this guy a few times.” I pause, turning to face Kellerman. “But fighting on the ice is a lot different than fighting off the ice.”
I didn’t rehearse a speech. I really didn’t think too much about what I was going to say. I just want to be real with these kids, and make an impact on them.
“Fighting off the ice happens in the real world where there are real consequences. There’s no referee to stop it, no penalty box to cool off in for a couple of minutes. The things you say and do to other people will affect them for the rest of their lives. So, be a leader. Be a friend. Be someone who makes people feel good, and make them remember you for the difference you’ve made in their lives.”
I hold out the mic to Kellerman. He stares down at it like he’s looking to it for answers before he speaks. He’s never been the best at talking, but when he finally decides on what he wants to say, he makes it count.
His words have always mattered to me.
“I was in high school. I know how hard it is. You have all this pressure on you to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. Keep your grades up; get into a good college so you can get a job; please your teachers, please your parents; try to find where you fit in. You’ve got all this pent-up frustration, but you’re just a kid, and all you want to do is have fun.”
He pauses as several students clap and shout in agreement.
“And while you’re trying to keep your head above water, real-life crashes into you. Depression. Anxiety. Maybe your parents get divorced. Maybe you lose a loved one. Maybe you struggle with addiction. Maybe your family can’t afford to put food on the table, or a roof over your head. Maybe you’re confused about your sexuality or your identity. Every single one of us is struggling inside. We’re all fighting hard battles every single day. But instead of coming together and supporting one another, we take it out on each other.”
The room falls quiet.
“Bullying other kids doesn’t fix your problems. It won’t take your pain away. It doesn’t make you strong; it makes you weak. You think it makes you look tough, but it only shows how much you’re hurting inside. My father beat on me every single day, and I can promise you—I didn’t look at him with respect. I looked at him with hatred.”
Pride swells in my chest, and I reach out to lay a hand on Kellerman’s shoulder in silent support, knowing how difficult it is for him to talk about this, let alone in a room filled with strangers.
“So, what I’m asking you—the reason we’re here today—is to show kindness and compassion to one another. Be a person who people look up to. Help others when they need it.” He glances at me over his shoulder. “And let them help you, because it’s okay to need help sometimes.”
Emotion clogs my throat as he hands me the mic, and I hand it off to Alex because my voice will give me away.
All I ever wanted was to help Chance; to help him be his true self; to help him break free from the shackles of his father.
To help him feel worthy of love.
He never truly gave himself to me or Presley. Physically, sure, but his heart was guarded then.
Would it be any different now?
After the assembly ends and the children head to their next classes, Principal Sturges allows Avery to stay behind for a few pictures.
The kid lost both of his parents—one who left him by choice and one who was taken too soon. I can’t imagine the weight of emotion he carries on a daily basis. It kills me to know that punk-ass kids are making life even harder for him.
Avery and Alyssa are extensions of Presley; they have a piece of her coursing through them. I’d do anything for her, which now means I’ll do anything for them too.
And judging by the way Chance holds on tight to Avery as he hugs him goodbye, I’d say he feels the same way.
The coaches of the football, baseball, and soccer teams have their students stay behind in the gym so we can have a deeper conversation with them. They ask us questions, mainly about what it’s like playing a professional sport, and then I leave them with a little reminder at the end.
“You should be the leaders of this school. The protectors; the ones to look up to. Do you want to be remembered as the guy everyone wanted to be with, or be? Or do you want to be remembered as the asshole who picked on kids who didn’t deserve it?” I shrug. “You’re not going to get any dates by beating on people. It’s a major turn-off. It doesn’t make you look tough; it makes you look weak.”
Chance adds more. “And if you ever want a shot at going pro, then you’d be wise to remember that. Big organizations aren’t looking for trouble-makers who make them look bad, or players with nasty attitudes. Having passion is different than having a temper.”
The rest of my teammates nod in agreement, and it seems like the students are truly listening to us.
I clap Principal Sturges on the back. “I’m going to be signing out Avery for the remainder of the day.”
Avery’s eyebrows shoot up. “You are?”
I wrap my arm around his neck. “Me and the guys have something fun planned, and we want to hang with you.”
The other kids gasp and murmur, and I grin wide.
Good. Let them see Avery spending the day with a professional hockey team while they schlep back to class.
Principal Sturges clears his throat. “Only people on the approved list can sign out students.”
“Guess I’ll have to get on that list then.” I slip my phone out of my pocket and search for Presley’s number. “Will a verbal confirmation from Avery’s aunt suffice for the time being?”
The principal nods. “Yes, that should be fine.”
Avery’s cheeks push up into his eyes as he smiles.
And I don’t miss the smirk on Chance’s lips as we head to the main office.
“Best day ever!”
I laugh at Alyssa’s excitement as she steers the stationary car in the arcade. She’s well-behaved and respectful, but she’s full of life and bounces off the walls with energy. I didn’t know her mother, but she reminds me a lot of Presley—the version I met in college.
It breaks my heart to see this subdued version of her, knowing the pressure and pain she’s had to endure these last few years. I’m determined to fix that, to give her anything and everything she and the kids need to feel carefree and secure.
And I know Chance feels the same.
Affection warms my chest as I watch him and Avery playing Skee-ball across the room. Chance doesn’t give himself enough credit. He never has. He has so much love in his heart to offer, and Avery brings out a softer side of him. It’s easier with kids than it is with adults; you don’t have to worry about judgment or vulnerability. They’re honest and blunt, and they’re funny as hell.
My mind wanders, and I imagine the five of us living in Presley’s house. A family. I can see it so clearly, and possession rips through me. I’ve been told I can be too much , and move too fast . But I can’t help the way I feel. When my heart is set on something, I will stop at nothing to have it. And what’s the point of putting it off anyway?
Life is too short to hold yourself back from happiness.
With Presley’s permission, we took the kids to the boardwalk down the shore. The place is nearly empty, being that it’s a cold winter day during school hours, so we have the place to ourselves.
“When was the last time you came down here?” I ask.
Alyssa scrunches her nose. “When my mom was alive. I was little.”
I ruffle her hair. “Littler than you are now?”
She shoots me a dirty look. “I’m not little.”
I chuckle. “You’re right. I’m just teasing.”
She’s quiet while she steers the video game. “Thanks for taking us here. I can’t believe Aunt Presley let you take us out of school for this.”
I lean on the empty car next to her. “Well, school is important. I can understand why she doesn’t want you to skip.”
“Yeah.” Her eyebrows pinch together. “We don’t even do stuff like this on the weekends.”
My eyebrows lift. “Really?”
“We’ll go to the movies every once in a while, or to the mall. Places around the neighborhood.” She shrugs. “She’s worried a lot.”
“Worried about what?”
“I don’t know. It’s like she doesn’t want to have fun because she feels too nervous.” She side-eyes me before flicking her eyes back to the game. “I think she’s lonely.”
My heart sinks. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yep. She doesn’t have any friends besides Ms. Dominique, and she doesn’t have a boyfriend or a husband like all my friends’ parents.” Her car crashes into a roadblock, and she growls as she tries to spin it around. “She spends all her time with me and Avery. I mean, I know we’re awesome, but she’s an adult. She should be doing adult things.”
I sigh as I blink up at the ceiling. “She cares about you guys a lot. She just wants to make sure you’re taken care of. That’s what parents do; they put kids before their own needs.”
“Well, I don’t think I could ever be a parent. If I want to do something, I don’t want an annoying kid to stop me.”
I bark out a laugh. “What if your kid isn’t annoying though? What if he or she is like you?”
She thinks on it a minute. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
I love this kid.
When everyone gets hungry, we stop at the pizzeria next door to the arcade. I strategically sit next to Avery so I can question him about some of the things Alyssa said.
“Okay, Ave’. Real talk for a minute.” I lean my elbows on the table. “How’s your aunt doing—and not the I’m fine bullshit she tells you.”
He heaves a sigh far too heavy for a teenager. “She’s doing a lot for us, working and driving us everywhere. I feel bad. If I could afford a car, I’d be able to drive myself around and help out with Alyssa more, but...” He shrugs.
“When do you get your license? Are you taking Driver’s Ed classes?”
He nods. “I can drive with an adult when I turn sixteen if I get my permit.”
I make a mental note to get him a reliable car when he’s ready.
“What are some things she needs help with around the house?” I take out my phone and click on my notes app. “I can take care of the landscaping when the winter is over. Is there anything that needs to be fixed inside?”
Avery widens his eyes as he nods. “There’s a bunch of stuff on her to-do list on the fridge, but she’s always too tired to get to it.”
“Can you take a picture of it and text it to me later?”
“Sure.” He arches a brow. “She’s not going to like us going behind her back like this.”
I hike a shoulder. “She’ll get over it once she sees all the work we get done.”
“You’ll let me help?”
“Why do you sound surprised?”
“I don’t really know how to do anything.”
“So, you’ll learn. I learned how to do lots of stuff from my dad growing up.”
He glances down at his plate. “Guess that’s why I don’t know how to do anything.”
Sadness tugs at my heart. I pat him on the back. “I’ll teach you. Don’t worry about it. I can even pay you. You can be like my apprentice.”
He coughs out an incredulous laugh. “Yeah, right. Aunt Presley will never go for it.”
I lean in and lower my voice. “It’ll be our little secret.”
“And your funeral,” he whispers.
He’s probably not wrong.