Ember Gods

Chapter 9

Jacob and Matt, using the key, dropped Aldo and the Fat Lady off at her cabin, and arrived home just in time to help set the table. The doorbell rang, and Jacob answered it.

Coach was all smiles. "Jacob!" he said, removing his fedora and patting Jacob on the shoulder as he walked past.

"Hey, when are tryouts for varsity this year?"

Coach Birmingham stopped. "Not for another few months. How about you wait until your sophomore or even junior year? Some of those seniors can be really rough."

Jacob's mouth popped open and he struggled to find an answer. He was already a junior. How had Coach not remembered his son was Jacob's age? Coach started toward the kitchen again, and Jacob caught up.

"Coach, I am a junior. Besides, I've been playing against seniors since I was thirteen."

Coach only smiled at him, then shook hands with Jacob's mom. "Janna, how are you? Anne's sorry she couldn't make it tonight, and we're both especially sorry to hear about Lee. Which hospital is he in again? We'd love to visit him."

Jacob slumped in his chair, barely listening as Mom gave an elusive answer and changed the subject to dinner and Coach explained what he'd cooked and how to serve it.

He should've known. Coach always watched his son's games, but his attention never strayed to the other players. He'd probably never even seen Jacob play basketball before, especially now that Kevin was playing for private schools. Kevin had only played against Jacob a couple of times in the last few years.

After making sure the fondue would be heated perfectly and the toothpicks used correctly, Coach shook Mom's hand again, patted Jacob on the shoulder once more, then turned to go.

Jacob jumped to his feet. "Wait, Coach—let me shoot some hoops for you before you go."

Coach smiled, ruffling Jacob's hair. "Maybe next time, son."

"Are you serious? Son? I'm almost seventeen years old!"

Coach laughed. "Good one, Jake."

Jacob scowled as Mom walked Coach to the front door. He hated being patronized.

He did his chores quickly, accidentally heating up the bag of chicken feed in the process because he was so frustrated. He couldn't concentrate on anything.

Finally, he decided the only thing he could do was make Coach watch him. A lot of students and faculty played basketball during lunch in the orange gym, and Coach was always there, from what Jacob had heard. He'd never done it before because he usually went out for lunch. But he'd be there Monday, and Coach would have to recognize how good he was.

***

Jacob's classes before lunch on Monday seemed to inch by, and when the bell rang, his nerves were nearly shot. He couldn't believe how nervous he was—basketball was his thing. It wasn't like him to get nervous. But his future—college and beyond—depended on him getting on varsity, and he'd failed to do just that two years in a row. He hadn't yet even made junior varsity, and that was ridiculous.

He grabbed his backpack, ran to the locker room, changed into his gym clothes, then raced to the orange gym. He hesitated before entering and took a deep breath. Tani and her boyfriend, Josh, spotted him and waved for him to join them. He did, scarfing down the food he'd brought from home as quickly as possible.

Jacob looked around the room, getting an idea who was there. His pulse quickened when he saw Coach talking to Mr. Coolidge. The entire varsity team lounged against one of the walls. It looked like all the junior varsity guys were there as well. Oh, boy.