"Chad! You're doing the pep talk today. Troy. My office." Coach Bolton said and lead his son to the coach's office. He dug out a few tylenol tablets, some water and a juice box. He handed it all to Troy and mentioned for him to sit on the bench by the wall. Coach took a seat beside him.
"What are you doing, dad?" Troy asked when the coach took his left hand into his own.
"Just gonna check those fingers of yours," Coach Bolton mumbled. Troy wanted to protest, but decided to keep his mouth shot.
"They're pretty bruised. Did you hear any snapping when it happened?"
Troy shook his head. Coach Bolton took his middle and ring finger in between his and gently tried to bend them. The pain was immediate and Troy threw his head back with a yelp. He squeezed his eyes shut.
"God that hurts!" He forced out and tried to hold back tears.
"Breathe and drink your juice, Troy." Coach said and grabbed some sports tape. He started wrapping the fingers up together.
"Lay down and let me help your leg."
Troy laid down on the bench and laid his left leg in his father's lap. Coach Bolton started to gently massage the muscles in the lower leg. Troy let out a deep breath.
"I'm proud of you, kiddo. You've done really good this season."
"Thanks dad," Troy said and watched as the coach pulled the compression bandage up around his leg again.
"Go get 'em, Wildcat." Coach said and gave the kid an affectionate pat on the knee. Troy got up and went to play the rest of the game, giving all he had but suddenly getting knocked to the ground. Chad was the one pulling him back up.
"Are you okay?" He asked. Troy heard the words but wasn't sure how to answer. He wasn't even sure if he had already answered. It took a while for Troy to get his focus back to the game but he gave everything he had. Eventually choosing to put Rocketman on the field and letting him shoot the final shot, winning the game and the championship. He was the one who got to carry the trophy and he was both relieved and happy, but his head was throbbing with pain.
After the game, Troy and his dad went back to the office. The coach had some paperwork to do before being able to leave so Troy sat on the bench, leaning against the lockers, waiting for his dad to finish the papers. He closed his eyes, trying to relax, but fell asleep instead.
When the coach finally finished, he couldn't get himself to wake up the boy, so instead he scooped him up from the bench and carried him to the car. Troy slept through the entire car ride, so Coach also had to carry him to his room despite the party going on in their backyard. Coach tucked him in and ruffled his hair kindly.
"I don't think Troy's up for partying. He seemed very exhausted today and he's sleeping now. But I'll wake him up in an hour." Coach told Troy's mother, who nodded in agreement. An hour later, Coach went back to Troy's room, gently shaking the boy awake.
"Daddy, can I have some more tylenol?" Troy whimpered. It had been awhile since he had last called his dad 'daddy' but coach rubbed his shoulder comfortingly.
"Yes, kiddo. I'll get some more for you. Is your head bothering you a lot?"
Troy hummed in response.
"Okay. I'll send the people home, okay?"
"People? We're having people over?" Troy asked in confusion.
"The entire school is here to celebrate us being champions. But no worries, we'll throw another party in a few days when you're better."