Nia softened slightly.
“Why?”
He laughed bitterly.
“You know why.”
“No.”
“I know the old story.”
“Tell me the current one.”
Devin looked at her.
That irritated him.
Good.
He thought.
“When I got hurt in college, nobody waited.”
“My backup played well.”
“Coach stopped calling.”
“Everything I thought I was building disappeared.”
“I kept thinking if I had played through it one more week—”
Nia interrupted.
“You needed surgery.”
“I know that now.”
“You knew it then.”
“I knew doctors said surgery.”
“That is knowing.”
Devin looked away.
Nia softened.
“What do you think would've happened if you played another week?”
He laughed.
“In my fantasy?”
“Yes.”
“Twenty points.”
“Scout sees me.”
“Scholarship stays.”
“Everything different.”
“And in reality?”
He was quiet.
“Probably worse injury.”
There.
Devin rubbed his face.
“I thought I was teaching him toughness.”
Nia nodded.
“I know.”
“I wasn't trying to hurt him.”
“I know.”
“He loves the game.”
“I know.”
“Then why do I feel like everybody is making me into some insane sports dad?”
Nia took time.
“Because intention does not control impact.”
He stared.
“Therapy sentence.”
“I manage nurses.”
“Same thing.”
He almost smiled.
Then Nia continued.
“You told a twelve-year-old that telling his mother about pain might cost him opportunity.”
Devin’s smile disappeared.
“When you say it like that—”
“How should I say it?”
He had no answer.
They entered co-parent counseling the following week.
Not because their divorce was collapsing.
Because their co-parenting around sports had.
Dr. Simone Carter did not let either of them turn the sessions into prosecution.
Nia arrived with dates.
Devin arrived with explanations.
Dr. Carter interrupted both.
“What does Cameron need?”
Nia answered first.
“To feel safe telling us when he’s hurt.”
“Yes.”
Devin nodded.
“And?”
He thought.
“To know sports isn't how I measure him.”
Dr. Carter looked at Nia.
“And from you?”
Nia stared.
“To know fear won't automatically become restriction.”
Devin looked over.
She continued before he could enjoy it.
“I have overreacted.”
Dr. Carter nodded.
“Give an example.”
Nia hated this.
“When he sprained his ankle two years ago, I kept him out after clearance.”
“Why?”
“I could still see him favoring it.”
“Was he?”
“Maybe.”
“Did you seek another evaluation?”
“No.”
“What did you do?”
“Decided.”
Devin smiled.
Dr. Carter turned.