When I Need You (Need You #4)(99)

Still, I missed Rowan. I missed Calder. I missed the life we'd started to build together. Getting through the season with all the traveling and training would test us as a family unit.

So there was no freakin' way I'd be late to Calder's camp performance, because I knew I'd miss his other school events this fall.

When the new assistant coach-assistant to the assistant offensive line coach actually-demanded my presence to go over the days' training tapes immediately following practice, I said no.

Evidently he hadn't expected that.

Evidently he believed his power was greater than mine because he started to dress me down. On the field. In front of my teammates.

I walked off.

Evidently he hadn't expected that either.

Devonte had. I heard him warning Coach Wannabe to back the fuck off.

I managed to make it through a quick shower and was nearly dressed before the HR coordinator approached me in the locker room. Poor sucker did not know what he was in for this season.

"Rocket? I'm Trent from HR and I'm working on transitioning the new coaching staff with our veteran players. Coach Wallaby informed me that you've refused to attend the mandatory post-training meeting-"

"Yes, Trent, I did refuse. I'll watch the tapes next week, but it is not a possibility today."

"But-"

"And when I attempted to explain to this newbie coach why the meeting was not mandatory for me, he believed the best option was to yell at a veteran player. I opted to walk away at that point as I am under time constraints today."

Trent shuffled his feet. "Look, between us? This transitional-team stuff wasn't my idea. But I have to follow through and do my job."

"Great." I grinned at him. "Write up Coach Wannabe for verbally abusive behavior. I've got witnesses. He knows I did nothing to incur that type of inappropriate response except exercise my right to say no to the meeting."



       
         
       
        

"Off the record? Why are you being a dick about this? It's two freakin' hours out of your day before you go home for the weekend. Is it really worth the hassle?"

"You want me to play that way? Fine." I slipped the belt through the first loop on my slacks. "On the record? If you don't believe I have full veto power of optional preseason meetings with nonessential coaching staff, please have management contact my agent, Peter Skaarn, about contract specifics. He will set them straight, trust me." No one fucked with my agent. "Off the record? My kid has a performance tonight and there's no way I'm missing it as it's already been set around my schedule."

Trent frowned. "Your kid? Since when do you have a kid, Lund?"

Shit. I screwed that up. "The boy is like a son to me. It's not something I talk about publicly, but I can trust someone from HR with that confidential information, right?" I had him pinned down and he knew it.

"Whatever. I'll have to put it in my report."

"You do what you have to, Trent. I'll put a call in to my agent so he'll be able to answer any questions that arise." I buckled my belt and reached for my duffel bag. "Have a good weekend."

I texted Astrid to let her know I was on my way. Then I called Rowan, but she didn't answer. I left a message-G-rated, so Calder could hear me tell him to break a leg. Traffic on 169N out of Mankato was heavy for a Friday as I headed back to the Cities.

Ten million things raced around inside my head and oddly enough, few of them had to do with the upcoming football season.

My entire family would be at the camp recital tonight.

Rowan's parents would be there as well as Martin. Would it be weird trying to balance it all out?

My phone rang. The ID on the dash display said: ASTRID. "Hey, what's up?"

"Jens, I forgot something major for tonight. And I'm here doing last-minute checks and run-through and close-outs and I can't possibly-"

"What do you need?"

"Individually wrapped roses for each one of the campers for when they finish the dance performance. And a bouquet of flowers for the teachers because we are introducing them at the end. Oh and flowers for the camp sponsors. God. I can't freakin' believe I forgot that! I'm so sorry."

"Astrid. Take a deep breath. There's three hours until showtime. I'll take care of it."

"You promise?"

"Yep. Is there anything else you need?"

"No. But I don't get why I'm so damn nervous."

"I feel ya. It's the culmination of everything you've worked on the past three months. It'll feel good to end it, as much as you don't want it to end." 

"You really are so much more than just a ‘playbook, end zone, taking one for the team' kind of bonehead jock, Lund."