BEAUTIFUL MISTAKES

Chapter 2

Hattie

I never thought I'd find myself here so soon. Oh, eventually, I knew I'd give into Uncle Dillon's texts and voicemails, but still. It's not where I want to be even though I know its where I should be. Uncle Dillon deserves more from me. I'm not sure I'd even be able to pay for school without him. He got the school to give me a full scholarship at the last minute. I'm guessing he managed it because he's a big deal here. They've won three national championship games because of him.

And he is my favorite uncle.

"Why are we here?" Sean demands as I lead him into the elevator and press the button for the third floor. I know where the coaching offices are simply because the unanswered text message from uncle informed me of where to find him when I was ready to talk.

I'm not, but this is more important than my feelings. Sean Riggins is a very good player. And he could be a great player if he puts in the work. Uncle Dillon will get him there, he just needs to not give up. Its rare I see a player with his raw talent. Not even my ex had this kind of talent. Austin was good because he worked hard at making sure he was good. Sean is good without even trying.

I find my uncle sitting on a couch chewing on the pen in his mouth, muttering about what looks like last week's game playing out on the big ass screen TV in his office.

Dillon Carter is in his late forties, with dark hair that's graying at the temples. He still has that football physique of his youth because he works out every day. Says it to keep up with youngsters. His blue eyes are the same shade of blue as mine. I got them from him. Both my parents and my sister have muddy brown eyes. I've never liked the color even though I wouldn't tell them that.

"Didn't you tell me once if I kept muttering under my breath, then what was the point? Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't mutter."

Uncle Dillon sits up, the notepad spilling off his lap and into the floor. The biggest smile breaks up the sterness of his expression. He has the best smile. Even when he's not in a good mood, his smile can warm the darkest and coldest of hearts.

"It's about damn time you dragged your ass in to see me. Did you finally decide to take me up on the offer to help me watch some tape?"

Sean mutters something unintelligible behind me, but its loud enough to catch my uncle's attention. He hadn't noticed Sean behind me before. How I don't know. I'm tall for a girl, but Sean dwarfs me at six five.

Uncle Dillon's gaze swings back to me, a clear question in his expression.

"Nope." I point behind me. "I found this who wants to quit school and decided to haul his ass in here before he did something stupid."

"What the fuck, Riggins?" He gets to his feet and stalks over to us and I hastily get out of his way.

The fact that he knows Sean's name is a big thing. He never really notices players until they show him he needs to notice them, that they're good enough to be worth noticing. Freshmen almost never make the grade with him. He might not have noticed Sean until Dobb's went out on injury during the first scrimage game of the season, but he knows him now.

Sean sputters and shoots me a glare. I glare right back at him. I'm not about to let him screw up his future. Not sure why I care really, but I do.

"Speak up before I beat it out of you."

He won't lay a hand on Sean, but he'll put him through his paces at practice. Which might actually be worse than a beating.

"Uhh...I...uhhh..." Sean stutters a bit. He so wasn't expecting me to drag him into the head coach's office.