r of forced smiles and Lucas's

st as I handed it to him, his hand wo

igh, looking at Sophia

e incident w

sity logo and "State Champs" embroidered on the back. It was the only thing

Sophia, "accidentally" knocked a full gla

, a perfect crimson spla

flying to his mouth. "Ethan, I am so t

ing stain. "Such a shame. Bu

w tig

th a napkin. "Lucas, you

ucas's lower lip trembled. "My coordin

antly. She shot me an apologetic

ain. "Don't worry, I'll get yo

inned, Sophia found me

ight, Ethan. Lucas is..

t box. Inside, a gleaming, r

ar keys into my hand. "It's the new Escalade. Top o

the keys,

I asked, my voice devoid of

ly styled hair. "Don't be like that, Ethan. It'

count?" I

"Fine. Yes. If it makes y

NFL scout meeting as her needing me to sacrifice something.

e back to my small

ue cigar humidor I'd found at a f

its interior into ninety

tal bill for my mother, marked "Paid in

second compartment. The Escal

six mor

leather notebook. On th

al bills – The

ntries

ys scout meeting

pology to L.

acket ruined by L.

pensation: Wa

. They were just markers. Placeho

no idea these "gifts" were just entries in my

acket, now a ruin

ric and thread. It was a

owboys, most likely. Mr. Hende