“You’ve already made that decision. So stop going back and second-guessing yourself. I want to put forth a theory,” she said, going into Dr. Tami mode. She did this when she’d been really thinking about something. “I think the USC guy ...”
“Coach Sterns,” I supplied.
“... Coach Sterns was playing games with you, so I did a little research. USC was never going to offer you to play quarterback this year. They’d wait until you were a senior. They’re one of the schools who can wait to make a late offer. The cream of the crop can fight the battles for elite talent all the way up to signing day.
“It’s the other programs who want to force you into a box early. They can take a chance. What Coach Sterns did was the classic takeaway. He dangled an offer for USC and then snatched it from you. He knows you’ll work twice as hard to prove you deserve to play for the best. I think you can be the best. I need you to start thinking that way.
“It makes no difference what Coach Hope does this season with you. I personally think you playing fullback is a gift. I’ve seen the hits you take playing quarterback. No one’s body can withstand what happens to you on the field without serious injury at some point. I don’t want your dreams snuffed out with you playing high school ball. Your goal needs to be to get ready to move up to the college level.
“Now for what I predict will happen. There’s tremendous pressure on Brad and Coach Hope to succeed. Brad doesn’t have what it takes to survive. I want you to stay out of it. Your nature is to jump right in the middle and fix it. I have a feeling Brad has some nasty plans for you, and the other guys, come fall practice. I want you to talk to them and make sure they all back off.
“Coach Hope didn’t get where he is without having some common sense. They don’t make you a major in the Marines just because you’ve been around for a while. He also led Beverly to the state title game last year. He’ll give Brad and his buddies a shot. When they prove they can’t handle it, he’ll turn to you and your guys. You may have to sit through a couple of bad losses. Coach Hope has too much riding on winning state.
“You be the guy who’s above it all, and offer him a viable alternative. These guys would follow you to hell and back. You have to have them ready to step in. Just don’t let any of them get hurt. I know you wouldn’t put up with it,” Tami concluded.
Bang! The light bulb—make that light bulbs—came on.
“If what you’re saying is true, it takes a lot of pressure off of me. I’d been stewing over what the college coaches have been telling me. I think Kentucky knew what I was going to hear at USC. They were smart. They knew that right now I was considering committing to them. I need to calm down and to wait and see.”
She smiled and hugged me.
“Good boy. Now quit worrying. In two years, you’ll look back on this and laugh.”
WE WERE JUST TALKING about nothing when Jim and Cassidy came downstairs and joined us. Tami smiled at me, so I knew they were back together.
“Congratulations,” I said.
“How did you know?” Jim asked.
“Tami just told me,” I said.
“She didn’t say anything,” Jim shot back.
“She didn’t say it with words. Are you saying she’s wrong?”
“No, she took me back,” he confessed.
“Did you change the sheets?” I asked.
They both went bright red.
“The clean sheets are in the linen closet,” I suggested.
They took off, giggling.
“You know you won’t see them for another hour,” Tami told me.
“That was the plan.”
We smiled at each other and continued our conversation about nothing. This was the best birthday week ever. Tami had solved all my problems. It felt like old times.
Chapter 13 – Gawd! That’s Not Good
Wednesday July 9
BO HARRINGTON MET ME at the apartment in Houston where we’d be staying. He’d found us a three-bedroom within walking distance of the Elite Camp, and Hunter and Ridge had agreed to room with me. Bo suggested we needed time away from the facility. Bo had rented the unit right across from us for himself. I got settled into my room and then joined him across the hall.
The West Coast boys were not getting in until late this afternoon. I’d caught the first flight out of O’Hare and had arrived just before lunch. Bo had food ready when I got there.
“I’ve had several inquiries about you.”
He then told me of the list of recruiters, several of whom had already been in touch with Bo, and a handful had been to see me play. I was glad to see the list included schools I had on my list. The newest three were Cal, Stanford and UCLA. The girls’ trip had let them know I was interested.
Bo got a determined look on his face.
“Some have asked me who your contact person is,” he told me.
“Why don’t they just talk to me?” I asked.
“I think I’d better explain some things to you. Most top quarterbacks are on traveling seven-on-seven teams. That coach is normally not an affiliate of their high school. That allows him to work as the go-to person for recruiting. He’s one step removed from your family and high school,” he told me, scratching his head.
I started to see there was more to this than Bo was telling me.
“Just say it,” I said.
“Okay, IF ... there ever was something provided that was not within the guidelines of the rules, it would be done through your contact person.”
“Ah, I don’t think I want one of those. I don’t want to sell my soul to get into college,” I told him.
“I figured as much. The problem is you need to play their games. You should designate someone they can talk to. I know you have Tracy handling the interface with schools. That’s fine for getting information out, and fielding requests to talk to you, but some of them will want to talk to an adult for negotiations.”
“What kind of negotiations?”
“Things like the number of quarterbacks they’ll take in a class. Will they focus on offensive players to support you, or are their needs on defense? Some other considerations might be housing arrangements and a lot more.”
“I take it ‘a lot more’ could get me in trouble.”
“It sure could, but they’ve been doing this for years, and most have never been caught at it.”
“Would you be willing to help me?” I asked.
“Yes, but I won’t be a party to you jeopardizing your future.”
“Good, we’re on the same page: no deals, no special arrangements. Thanks, that’s a load off my mind.”
We spent the afternoon going over tape of me at USC. He was pointing out areas where we would need to work when the other two arrived. He had an early-evening practice time scheduled from five to eight o’clock.
BO AND I MET HUNTER and Ridge out front. I was surprised when they each had a girl with them.
“David, Bo, I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Penny,” Ridge said.
“This is Samantha or Sam,” Hunter said as an introduction.
We all shook hands, and Bo and I helped carry their luggage upstairs. I gave Bo a questioning look, and he just shrugged. Hell, if I’d known I could have brought a date ... then again, maybe not. We got them settled, and then we all piled into Bo’s rental car and went to the Methodist Training Center. It was right next to NRG Stadium, the home of the Houston Texans. It had three outdoor practice fields and an indoor field. Tomorrow we would use the facility for camp.
Since we only went three blocks, I decided I’d walk home later. We met three receivers and a video crew. Bo got everything set up. Hunter and Ridge left their girls on the sideline and made a beeline for me.
“Hunter said you’d be cool with this. I hope you’re not pissed we brought our girlfriends,” Ridge said.