2

**Jace Pov**

"Don't get me wrong Bratkowski, you are the best quarterback I have and the hope for this team, but the issue at hand. Your response to every little offense against you is becoming too harsh." My coach called me in after today's training. I just want to get out of here but he can't just stop talking.

"I only respond to how it best fits in every situation" I raised my hand in surrender as I spoke.

"Oh really!" He scooted forward with his office chair. "Then tell me ... .how great could the offense of that innocent reporter be, that led you to almost kill him with a microphone? How does that justify your action?" He folded his arm while still sitting in his seat. I was comfortably seated on the other end of the table, my legs stretched and my arms relaxing on the arms of the chair.

"Don't forget what you did last week during an interview. You just walked out of the interviewers without responding to their questions. Neither did you give a good reason for your action later on and did not apologize for your rude behavior." He had an expressionless face now. That means he was getting too serious about all this unnecessary thing.

"You are exaggerating. I only threw the microphone at him." I shrugged. "Why would he ask if it were true what people were saying about me being standoffish and rude?

He technically called me a monster. Secondly, you can't blame me for walking out of that interview. They were wasting my time with ridiculous questions, like we are in the circus or something. I pointed out.

"Technically you said. That means he didn't. You are lucky I was able to stop him from pressing charges against you. That could end your career, You know that. As for the interview, you should have answered them intelligently then, but not walk out on them." Now his voice was calmer.

Coach Grayson is like a father figure to me. More I could say about him than the man who birthed me. He is the only one that could approach me like this and get away with it. He is the only one I let my guard down with.

"I am sorry but I hope you take this decision as the best for your reputation and the team in general. They need you at your best before the next season. I know you have your own personal issues going on, but this is business, don't mix it up with your personal issues boy."

He knows the nature of the relationship I have with my Dad. He knew my dad because they both attended the same college and were both on the football team back then.

Coach stood up and walked to where I was seated. He patted my shoulder before stepping out of his office and left me there.

I was foaming in anger. I stood up and left. I needed to lay off some steam. I went to a bar to get myself drunk and contacted one of my no strings attached. That was never hard for me to find because the girls are always willing to be toyed around with. I don't take them to my penthouse though, but to a hotel. That is where it all starts and ends. I don't let my guard too low.

The following day. I was back to my penthouse at noon. I was out of the shower when my phone started to ring.

*Phone rings* I looked and saw Luke is the caller.

Luke is my publicist and friend as well. I have been expecting his call. I picked it up.

"So.... How did it go with the coach" he asked immediately with too much interest.

"Morning to you too Luke." He scoffed because of my sarcasm.

"He wants me to use the off season to rejuvenate. Like that is what I need" it was my turn to scoff now. The phone is on speaker so that I could get some clothes on whilst the call.

"You know...... That is not a bad Idea at all." He sounded hesitant. That was probably because of what my response might be to that.

"Things really got heated at the end of last season. Your public image matters a lot, Jace." Luke sounds a bit worried now.

Why are they agreeing with each other? I am referring to Coach, my Dad and now Luke!? This is getting on my last good nerve. If I had any that is.

I already received the disappointing speech on voicemail from my dad. How I was tanning his image as a former quarterback of the team. At this point, he is still worried about his own image.

Those are the only times he knew he had a son. When he calls or shows up to tell me I was a disappointment or what I did was wrong or what I did not do.

All he cares about is maintaining his good reputation. How he is the best father anyone could ask for. Not forgetting the great job he did in raising a son as a single dad.

"Jace you there!?" I forgot I was on call with my publicist.

"Yea..... What?" I was done wearing some clothing. I picked up the phone from where I kept it and walked out of the room to the living room area.

"I said I have a suggestion." He was quiet for a few seconds before he continued, knowing I was not going to respond. "Why don't you go away. To a place where there is less heat from the situation at hand. Like a small town far from here. Where no one would think you could be there and if you are lucky, people from there might not recognise you."

"What am I supposed to do in the so-called small town?" I questioned. But I was already picturing the break from all the heated attention of the public and my dad. Especially my dad's. I was now standing by the glass window looking out the city.

"Just find yourself. Your inner peace. let the people here miss their favorite player." He was saying all he could to convince me. Not knowing I was already convinced.

He had me at 'Inner peace '. I really needed that.

Luke continued talking on the other end of the phone. "We could get some pictures of you taking. I will send them out to the public, so that they can see how you have become a better version of yourself. That will make all that is happening now go away."

"You could as well take part in some charity event."

"Without disclosing your location of course. How does that sound?.... It will make the people forgive your actions because they love you. They will understand you were going through some rough patches that led you to act as a jerk temporarily."

"Fine!.... Prepare for that" Was all I said and hung up.

*************

The 'Carefree town' is where I have been for the past week. I was getting to like the place quite well and being away from all the attention was really good. I never thought it would be this nice. Maybe the too much attention in the city is what was making me always angry.

Very few people recognised who I was. That made my stay even better.

I am going out for another walk. I do that everyday and it gives me a certain feeling of contentment. I should be doing this more often. Find a small town and visit after every season's game.

I hardly go out without a hooded cloth or a baseball cap to limit the recognition to zero if possible.

Carefree town is beautiful. Today was no exception. I was out already to take in the beauty and peace of the town.

Luke later on had an arrangement with one of the school's football teams here in Carefree town. I was to join in on one of their trainings and speak in the school match to encourage the kids about sports. The match was going to take place soon.

I was enjoying my stay here, but I already missed playing. This can also serve as the charity Luke was referring to and I will have a good time.

I was doing my tourism near the school, so I decided to pop in and see for myself.

The headmaster, who knew who I was, was really pleased with my presence. I made sure to let him tell him to keep my identity between us. I was given all the necessary schedules. The headmaster made it clear that it was not necessary to come in myself to get the schedule.

"Sir….. you really didn't have to come all the way by yourself for this. I was going to personally send everything to you, with the words of appreciation." the headmaster stood with a toothy grin. He has been standing since I walked in.

I did not sit in the headmaster's office. Instead, I walked around in the office looking at pictures on the wall. There were trophies on a cabinet from different competitions that the school has won.

Only one among the trophies was from football.

We were through with the discussion and I stood up to leave. I had to convince the headmaster that he didn't have to see me off, "I will find my way out, same way I came in." I said to him.

I was on my way out when I bumped into a woman with a child walking towards me. The woman stumbled backwards a little before coming to a halt. The little girl stumbled and almost fell to the floor but I was fast enough to hold her before she could fall.

"I am so sorry. Sweetie, are you ok?!" That was the most gentle voice I have ever had in my existence....