Italy to Die For
Page 24
Rex had also made a decent defender out of snot-nosed Grady Greenwood, after Grady’s old man sold Rex the Navigator at ten per cent below wholesale. Every forward, midfielder, defender and goalie lucky enough to play for Pegasi United Futbol owed his success to Rex Meredith, big time. And one way or another, every player or parental authority would reimburse Rex for his generosity. Creativity he encouraged and in turn, rewarded. No exceptions, none whatsoever. Not even for a standout player such as Matt Canelli. Rex had zeroed in on Matt’s old lady, liked what he saw and certain challenges she presented. Before he finished with Francesca Canelli, she would need Rex Meredith more than he needed her.
Rex used one big toe to open the tub drain and with the other he added more hot water until the heat sent a rush of blood seething through his veins. After closing the drain and resuming his earlier position, he allotted himself ten more minutes, time enough to review the Pegasi roster he’d already determined before the boys stepped onto the pitch for their first tryout session. Besides Grady and Parker as defenders, Adam Rodgers was a shoe-in, even if his dad the builder hadn’t given Rex the tremendous deal he’d expected on the house. Good, yes, but not incredible. What a crybaby, considering the mansion Kevin Rodgers later erected for his own family. Definitely Julio San Pedro; his old man had laid the fieldstone patio gratis after Rex made a simple comment about the family’s immigration status. Defender Justin Griffith was out, he just didn’t know it yet. Rex had carried the timid player longer than a gestating elephant about to give birth. What’s more, according to Sunny, the kid’s mom couldn’t style hair worth a freebee damn. In Justin’s place: Thunderbolt’s Eric Stegman—not too shabby, his dad worked in the St. Louis Cardinals front office, as in season baseball tickets. At midfield: of course Payton and Angel, and Ian Shepherd who never let Rex down. Neither did Ian’s assistant coach dad who thought Rex capable of parting the Red Sea. Plus new kids, Seth Bellman and Kyle Dorsey, Rex needed a heart-to-heart with those two, not their clueless parents. No harm in making sure Seth and Kyle knew the score before the game ever started. Goalie belonged to Tyler Baxter, with Orlando Gravot as the hungry back up nipping at Baxter’s heels. Forwards Marcus Aquinas and Jeff Manuel, yes. Having Jeff play off Matt Canelli might stir up a positive pile of shit. Good, nothing like a little competition among teammates. Ted Logan had been flying under the radar too long, time for some prodding since it appeared his parents might head for Splitsville despite this week’s Mayan getaway. As for Jon Lester and Buddy Clifford: bye-bye.
And what about those piss-poor turncoats: Zach Stilworth and Oliver Billings. The sniveling duo really screwed up his near-perfect Pegasi line-up by not returning this year. What the fuck, their choice not his. As far as Rex was concerned, he could’ve accommodated them one more season. Oh well, when to give up the game was a decision every player would eventually face, some sooner than others. For Rex it occurred at the beginning of his third year in college. And was the coach’s decision, not his.
Rex released the water from his tub and stepped out, leaving behind the promise of soapy residue for Sunny to clean in the morning. When it came to the ideal wife, he’d chosen well. These days the traditional stay-at-home variety was considered a rare gem, one to be treasured even though his could turn stone cold at times. Of course, when it came to sniffing out a pile of shit, Sunny lacked certain female instincts, which more often than not worked in his favor. He rubbed himself dry with a thick, white towel, giving special attention to those areas between his toes. A nasty bout with athlete’s foot had taught Rex the importance of proper hygienics, a lesson he’d not likely forget, nor the more important one about avoiding the clap. Good thing Sunny never caught on when Doc convinced her penicillin shots would cure a mild rash that wouldn’t resolve on its own.
After draping his towel over the tub, Rex padded naked down the hall to his master suite where the soft hum of Sunny’s steady breathing greeted him. No point in waking her at midnight since both of them would be getting up in a few hours for their early morning workout. Their personal mini-gym had been a godsend, the equipment courtesy of Clark Baxter who bought an extra set he didn’t really need.
Rex climbed into bed, laced his fingers behind his head, and revisited the Pegasi roster. Dammit, Zach and Oliver should’ve come back and given him one more year, a last hoorah before calling it quits. Stupid kids, when it came to the privileged bond between a coach and his favored players what had they learned? Not a damn thing.
End of excerpt
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