Coach Maxwell stood just inside the locker room and looked around. It was two hours before their first match against Smith’s Private School. “Kelley, in my office.”The guys jeered and laughed as Kelley grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head before exiting the locker room and heading to the Coach’s office. He knocked on the door and opened it, closing it behind him and sitting down in the single visitor chair in front of the desk.“Yes, Coach?”“Why are you at Public, Kelley?”“Coach … it’s a long story and personal. I’d rather not discuss it.”“I’m not just your Coach, Kelley, I’m also a person that has your best interests at heart. I care about every single player on my team.”Kelley had been running drills and practices with the team for two months now and it seemed for the time being that Arlo O’Neill had pulled his head out of his ass. Kelley still didn’t really have friends but on some occasions he sat with Lee during lunch, when Mason wasn’t there.“Coach, if I tell you
Mason skidded around the corner and stopped the Escalade over two spots as he parked in front of the public hospital. Lee parked next to the Escalade just as Mason opened the back door. Blood had smeared over Kelley’s face and Mason pressed two fingers against his pulse.Lee opened the other door and grabbed Kelley’s shoulders and pulled him out of the car slowly. He kept his head in one hand as Mason came around the side and grabbed Kelley’s legs. “My mom’s working tonight.”Lee nodded as they headed towards the electronic doors and walked inside the reception area of the hospital. “Help us!”“Mason? Oh, dear Lord, what happened to this boy?” Carey James grabbed a gurney and quickly placed the stethoscope on Kelley’s chest the moment Mason and Lee put him on the gurney.“Kids from Private attacked him in the parking lot after the game. He took a baseball bat to the head.”“Dr Ingwe!” Carey was now pushing the gurney as two other nurses joined her into a trauma bay and another nurse b
Kelley spent the next week in the hospital before he was discharged and he walked into the lobby of the hospital to find half of the football team waiting for him along with Jesse. Applause rang out and the guys all slapped Kelley on the back. Even Lee gave him half a smile.“There he is!” Jesse grinned and gave him a bear hug.“What are you all doing here?”“You’re officially Public now.” Arlo’s voice was slightly over confident.“It took me getting beaten up to be official. I didn’t know I was your type, O’Neill.” Laughter rang out around them and Arlo grinned broadly.“You’re not that hot, Kelley.”They all walked to the parking lot with Mason carrying Kelley’s bag and Kelley was surprised to see his Escalade in the parking lot. The guys all made their way to various vehicles, some of which didn’t look roadworthy at all, and drove off with well wishes.“Thanks, Mason … for everything.”“You’re welcome, Kelley, I mean it. Now, it’s time to take you home.”Kelley froze in his steps a
Mason and Kelley fell into a brotherly routine. Nobody seemed surprised or fazed by the knowledge that Kelley was now living with Mason and his mother. They took turns with the Escalade and Mason’s Ford F-150 truck to drive to school.After school Kelley would stand on the side lines while the rest of the guys practiced football and he found that he actually liked helping the Coach. He gave advice when he saw mistakes and gave them the rundown on each and every team they’d play that season.Kelley found that he could remember mundane little things about different players and coaches from previous games and his knack to recall game details proved invaluable. It was a week later when Kelley sat at the kitchen table and drew up old game plans of every other Coach’s gameplays.Coach Maxwell sat in silence as he watched Kelley. Lee and Mason spoke in low voices. “That’s everything I remember.”“Kelley, this is amazing.” Kelley grinned at Coach Maxwell.“This run I remember from Heathcliff
“No! Don’t touch me!”Kelley, Mason and Lee jumped up at the same time as Marella’s scream came from upstairs. Lee was the biggest and he physically pushed them out of his way as he ran up the stairs. Mason stopped and chuckled and Kelley grinned.Kelley and Mason stood just inside the room watching Lee as he held and soothed Marella. She was crying and Lee’s hand soothed over her hair and down her back. She was bunched up on his lap and he spoke soothingly to her.“You’re okay, I won’t let them touch you ever again.”Mason turned towards Kelley and whispered. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say Lee likes her.”“I can hear you, Mason.”“I was whispering!” Mason looked perplexed and Kelley moved towards the bed.“Don’t touch her, Kelley. I’ve got her.”Kelley stood his ground. “You okay, Marella?”“I said I’ve got her.” Lee looked angry and Kelley took a step backwards with his hands raised in surrender.“I’m okay, Kelley.” Marella’s voice was soft but clear.“Lee …”“Piss off, Mason.
Mason, Kelley and Lee sat in Kelley’s car looking out over the harbour down by the docks. The smell of fish permeated the air and the three teens all had serious looks on their faces as they spoke in low voices.“When we strike it needs to be quick, quiet and with no comebacks.”Mason scratched his chin thoughtfully. “We need to keep it close to home as well. The three of us.”Lee nodded his agreement. “The more people know the bigger the chance that it gets out.”“We take our time. Our plan needs to be foolproof.”Kelley grinned. “I’ve got that covered. I know their routines, their houses, how to get in and out again.”“Who’s first on our list?”“How much can we trust Arlo?” Lee and Mason both looked at Kelley in surprise.“Why? We just said …”“We’ll need an alibi if anyone comes asking.”“I don’t think we should involve one of our teammates, even for an alibi. They won’t be as trustworthy,” Lee said.“I’m not asking my mom.” Mason shook his head as he spoke.“Jesse will vouch for u
Back in the car Mason started to laugh and Kelley glanced over at him. “What?”“Did you know your so-called friend uses no-hair products?”“Why would I know that?” Kelley’s frown spoke volumes, he didn’t want Mason to answer that question.Lee gave a half smile from the back seat. “What did you do, Mason?”“I mixed it with his hair gel.”They all laughed at the image of Hanson’s hair falling out in clumps as Mason drove back to lower Yorkdare Bay. They settled in the living room with a clear view of the dining room where Marella sat doing her homework.“There will be retaliation.” Lee’s voice was low even though Marella had her earphones in her ears.“The way they think … they’ll try to hit us where it hurts the most … Marella.” Kelley glanced at her.“We already foiled that plan but nothing stops them from coming after her again.”“Not if we strike again … before they can retaliate.” Mason smiled as he said that.Lee’s interest was piqued now. “How?”Kelley pulled his ringing phone f
It had been a few days since the truce had been called and things seemed peaceful for the time being. Something was bothering Lee though. He’d been broody ever since and pacing up and down whenever they met up. “What’s going on with you?” Mason had had enough of Lee’s mood swings now. “Nothing.” Kelley taped a box shut and turned to look at Lee. “Lee, come on, it’s us. If you can’t talk to us then who can you talk to?” “Steve Jones is getting out of jail next week …” Kelley looked up at Lee with the tape roller still in his hand. “Who’s he?” “He’s the man who turned himself in so he could save me.” Lee’s jaw clenched and Kelley put the tape down on the closed box. “How can we help, Lee?” Mason stepped closer to them and Lee swallowed emotion away, his eyes betraying nothing. “I feel like I have to do something for him.” Mason clasped a hand on Lee’s shoulder. “I get that … have you gone to visit him?” “No. He’s in jail because of me.” Kelley shook his head. “He’s in jail bec