Demon frames this move as his “do-over,” mirroring Stoner’s escape, and feels guilty and unworthy as he enters Coach Winfield’s opulent, chaotic house and a new grade at Jonesville Middle. At school he’s the wary outsider, measuring sheltered classmates against hard lessons he’s learned about money, danger, and adults’ lies.

Angus takes charge of outfitting Demon. After he balks at buying clothes, she pushes him to name what he wants and, learning he’s broke, reveals she has Coach’s credit card—the “Master.” They go on a countywide run for groceries and gear, including the Air Maxes he admits he wants.

On the way they witness Coach’s local celebrity, getting free food at Hardee’s and deference everywhere, which flatters U-Haul. Demon notices U-Haul’s creepiness and learns from Angus that the real assistant coach is Mr. Briggs; U-Haul is just a booster-funded gofer who inflates his role.

Back at the house Demon meets Mattie Kate, the household anchor who supplies basics like an electric shaver and deodorant and insists he be “a little boy,” not a caretaker. Evenings, after Coach’s early bedtime, Demon and Angus do homework and hang out in her TV “den,” building a cautious friendship.

House rules—homework, no school-night running around, no parties—create a stability Demon has never had. Yet despite the comfort, attention, and new clothes, he remains unsure he belongs and doubts the arrangement will last.