ERIC’S POV

Shock flew through me, leaving me wordless, blinking in disbelief.

For a moment, I couldn’t help wondering if Coach Steele made this up, using the poor boy as a convenient scapegoat to cover up for what he did.

But I didn’t want to bring it up. Now more than anything, I wanted to stop doubting him and questioning his loyalty because he has proven to be the only person who has never turned his back on me, no matter how ugly things got. The only person I can trust and rely on.

I had to shake my head slightly, as if physically tossing the disbelief off me to...