My brothers best friend

Chapter 39: Big News, Bigger Consequences

Chapter 39

Jake's Point of View

The sun was starting to dip below the horizon as I stepped onto the field for practice. The air had a bite to it, the kind that made you feel alive, and I welcomed it. Today, I was all about the game. Nothing else mattered. Not the past few days of chaos, not the mess with my family, not the tangled emotions I was trying to figure out. On the field, I could forget all of that. All I had to do was play.

I lined up with the team, my focus laser-sharp. The ball felt like an extension of my body as I dribbled, passed, and shot with precision. Each movement was fluid, almost instinctual. Coach Elvis had always said I had talent, but today, it felt like I was playing better than ever. I wasn't just going through the motions—I was flying.

As practice wound down, I stayed behind, taking a few more shots on goal, pushing myself further than I had in days. I needed to prove something to myself, even if I didn't know exactly what that was.

I was so focused that I didn't notice Coach Elvis walking up to me until he was right there, standing at the edge of the field with his arms crossed.

"Jake," he called, his gravelly voice cutting through the stillness.

I turned, wiping the sweat from my brow, and jogged over to where he was standing. "What's up, Coach?"

He looked me over for a second, then gave a small, approving nod. "You're looking sharp out there. Been watching you closely."

I shrugged, trying to act casual, even though I could feel my pulse pick up. Coach Elvis had always been tough on me, but this was different. He had a way of making you feel like you were constantly on the brink of something big.

"I've been pushing myself," I said, my tone a little more serious than I intended. "Just trying to get better."

Coach Elvis's gaze softened, but there was still that edge of intensity in his eyes. "It's paying off, Jake. More than you know."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

He took a step closer, lowering his voice like he was about to share something confidential. "I've been talking to some scouts—top-tier guys. They've been watching you for a while, and I've gotten some serious interest in you."

I blinked, the words not fully sinking in. "Scouts? For what?"

"For professional teams, Jake," he said, his tone more measured now, almost like he was letting the weight of it land on me. "After college, you could go pro. I've got several offers lined up for you already. These are real opportunities—your shot at playing at the highest level."

My heart skipped. I could barely process it. My head swirled with thoughts of what this meant, of the dream I'd had since I was a kid: professional soccer, playing in front of crowds, representing something bigger than myself. I'd always wanted this, worked for it, dreamt about it every night, but now... it was actually within reach.

"Wait, what?" I said, unable to stop myself. "Are you serious?"

Coach Elvis gave a small chuckle, clearly amused by my disbelief. "I wouldn't joke about something like this, kid. You've got what it takes. All you need to do is keep doing what you're doing, keep pushing yourself, and you'll make it. This is your future if you want it."

I could barely breathe. The dream I'd been chasing for years was suddenly real. I wasn't just some guy playing because I loved the game—I was good enough to make a career out of it. I could almost hear the cheers from the stands in my head, feel the rush of excitement in my veins.