ERIC’S POV

The fork I was using to eat slipped from my fingers before I realized I’d let go and clanged against the plate with a sharp, metallic noise. My mouth fell open, eyes locked onto Coach Steele as a sudden wave of shock like never before rippled through me.

“What did you just say?…” I asked as though I didn’t hear him the first time, hoping there was a chance he wasn't serious about it.

He let out a weak sigh and pressed his lips together in empathy, as if understanding what I was feeling right at that moment. “Your parents are rulers, Eric and they want you to...