The Right Way

  I leaned forward in my chair. “So this job is at a homeless shelter?”

  “It’s not a homeless shelter, Mr. Hall. It is a center for at-risk youth,” Dr. McKensie corrected.

  Part of me was slightly intrigued about working at Amad’s shelter. I mean, maybe I could meet him, and even though I wasn’t planning on trying to get drafted to the NFL, he might like me enough to put in a good word for me or some shit. Medical school would always be there, but I wouldn’t always have the opportunity to warm the Falcons’ bench for a chunk of cash.

  The other part of me didn’t like the idea of being committed to forty hours a week during my vacation time. I had big plans of sleeping in after all-night parties and going back home on the weekends. During our practice break, I had planned to go down to Tybee Island to my parents’ beach house to chill out for a week or two.

  “Yeah, I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline. Volunteering just isn’t my thing, and I have a pretty busy summer ahead of me. You’ll just have to find me something else to do.”

  Dr. McKensie narrowed his eyes at me. “Either you take the punishment handed to you, or you will no longer play football for our program.”

  A shudder went through me at Dr. McKensie’s words. I hadn’t expected that hardcore response at all. In all these years, there hadn’t been a situation I couldn’t talk myself out of. Since I couldn’t seem to get the job done, I glanced over at my father. “Dad?” I questioned.

  My father turned to me. Instead of resignation, there was irritation in them. “There’s nothing I can do, Cade. It’s working at The Ark or no football.”

  Whoa. Not even my father could get me out of this one. Oh yeah, I was screwed. My fists clenched in my lap as I inwardly shouted, Motherfucker! Gah, I was so pissed that these bastards had me backed into a corner. Although part of me wanted to tell them where they could shove their offer, I bit my tongue. Football meant too much to me.

  I gritted my teeth. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

  “I’m glad you decided to see it our way.”

  What I didn’t know at the time was how that moment was about to change everything about me