The Finall Play novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: The Office

Coach Kestner's office smelled like coffee and old leather.

Elliot sat in the hard chair across the desk at seven sharp, with his hands flat on his knees.

He had slept three hours.

He could still taste cinnamon.

"You look tired, Erickson," Coach Kestner said.

"Long weekend."

"Good. I like a man who works." Coach leaned back and the chair creaked. "How's the shoulder?"

"Day thirteen. Range is at ninety degrees and gaining. He'll be at one-twenty by next week."

"That's too slow."

"It's right on schedule."

"The schedule is wrong," Coach said. "I need him throwing by day thirty."

Elliot blinked.

"Throwing what?"

"A football. Light, short, just to get the arm moving."

"Coach, the labrum won't take a load that early."

"It will if we help it."

The room went very quiet.

Elliot's stomach dropped, slowly.

"Help it how?" he asked.

Coach opened his desk drawer and took out a thin blue folder.

He slid it across the desk.

Elliot did not touch it.

"The team doctor is on staff for a reason," Coach said.

"A shot of cortisone, a little anesthetic, and a good tape job. The kid feels fine for a few hours."

"No."

"I didn't ask."

"Coach, I'm telling you no."

Elliot's voice shook, and he made it stop.

"You can't put a torn shoulder under a shot and a game. You know what happens."

"I know exactly what happens," Coach said calmly. "You came back and won us three quarters."

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