The text from Javier arrived at 6:17 AM, and Leo read it standing in his kitchen, coffee in one hand, toast in the other, his knee aching from the cold weather.
"Coach, I'm coming home. Crestmont is on break. I want to see the team. I want to see you. I'll be there tomorrow."
Leo stared at the screen. His heart swelled. His eyes were wet. He typed back: "I'll leave the door open."
Javier: "I knew you would."
Leo put the phone down and looked at the ceiling. He hadn't seen Javier in four months. Not since the day he'd dropped him off at the airport. Not since the day he'd watched his captain walk into the terminal and out of his life.
He'd followed Javier's career from a distance. Watched his matches on streaming video. Read the articles. Talked to him on the phone. But it wasn't the s
