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I had actually thought there ht be hope as just last end, who had just had the surprise of his life by finding out he was a father It’d been a low-key evening Both Legend and I were surprised by how taken Tacker ith Charlie, the newborn baby girl who had just coht Tacker had finally been starting to settle in and become part of our family

I thought he was starting to leave his pain and guilt behind

I’ that now

The door we’re standing beside opens, and Bishop and I both step back Coach Perron walks out followed by one of the teaency first aid kit in his hand

He brushes by Coach, then jogs down the hall to assist Tacker

“What happened?” Coach asks Bishop

In any other situation, Bishop s seem a littlethis Besides, Bishop’s fiancée, Brooke, just happens to be Coach Perron’s daughter, so there’s no way he’s going to lie to his future father-in-law

“He’s drunk,” Bishop says

Coach flinches whilea curse word

Bishop finishes with, “He drove the truck into the barricade”

“God Alhty,” Coach whispers with utter empathy He’s just as aware of Tacker’s deh-as-nails son of a bitch as our coach, he cares for his players deeply

We all focus on Tacker With a fierceness I’ve never heard before, Coach Perron grits out, “This ends here Thatprofessional help whether he likes it or not”

Chills take hold of my body when he leaves Bishop and me to stride down the hall toward Tacker We watch as he squats in front of his star player—the captain of our teaoes to his shoulder and while we can’t hear what he’s saying, I iine they’re appropriate words of comfort

When the outer door opens, a Phoenix police officer followed by two paramedics enter

This just fucking sucks

“I’ear,” Bishop says wearily “I’ll see you in the locker room”