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“Not unless you have some magic plan to help me change things?” Because that’s what I wanted. That’s what these days without Joss had proven to me, that I wanted her. No matter what.
“You could start with a little honesty. About why you really don’t want to date or, or how you really feel.”
“He has to figure that out first,” Xander said with a snorting laugh.
“And you,” Mom turned to Xander. “You want a second chance then you need to acknowledge the past and then make up for those mistakes. And sacrifices.”
I had no clue what they were talking about, but the surprise on Xander’s face said he clearly did. “Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Rita.”
Mom patted his hand and smiled. “My pleasure. Now, who could use a drink?”
“Me.” Xander and I replied at the same time, which caused a laugh. And then outright laughter.
“I guess we have our orders?” I didn’t know if Xander planned to take Mom’s advice but my mind already raced with possibilities.
“When a woman plies me with pasta and booze, I am compelled to listen to her.” Xander raised his glass of whiskey. “To wise women and good food.”
“I’ll drink to that,” I said and took a sip.
“Damn straight,” Mom said and knocked back her customary glass of Jameson.
It wasn’t the night I’d hoped for, but maybe it had gotten me closer to having many nights like that in the future.
Joss
“Wow Coach C, look at how many people came out to support us!” The girls were lined up for the national anthem, looking at the packed stands as if a rock star had shown up to cheer them on. “What did you do?”
“I wish I could take credit, but I think everyone is just so proud of you they had to see you girls in action.” Something was definitely going on and I didn’t know what but I was happy to see the town supporting my team. “Let’s show them what they’ve been missing.”
The game got underway and the girls were definitely feeling the home town advantage, thanks to signs of support and cheers so loud the announcer could barely be heard. It was a beautiful sight to see, the town coming out for the girls in this way and by halftime, they were two goals ahead.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal part-time coach, returned for our final victory.” Tanisha smiled as Chris joined me at the sideline. “Jealous you went on that silly book tour instead of coaching a bunch of teenage girls?”
Chris laughed. “You lot aren’t quite as scary as overzealous fans, so I am kind of jealous. You’ve been doing so well without me, Tanisha, who’d have thought you missed me so badly?”
She rolled her eyes but the bright smile told the truth. “It’s always nice to have eye candy around. No offense Coach C.”
“None taken.” I motioned for her to join the rest of the team, warming up in the minutes before the second half of the playoff game started. “Happy to be back?”
Chris nodded and kept his gaze on the action on the field. “Lila and Tara are here, where else would I want to be?” The smile on his face was genuine and filled with affection. “But it’s nice that my book is doing so well.”
“It’s good. Even better than the last series.” Chris was a talented writer and I was a fan even before I knew him. “Maybe that’s why all these people are here, to catch a glimpse of our local celebrity.”
Chris barked out a laugh and shook his head. “I wish my ego would allow me to believe that, but that chaos is thanks to our friend Ben. He called in favors, used guilt and coercion to get people to turn out and support our Pirates.”
Ben. “Oh.” As principal of the school, it looked good to support all athletic teams, especially the notable ones. “That was nice of him.”
Chris waited until the whistle blew and both teams began game play before he let out the snort-laugh he’d been hiding behind a knowing smirk. “Yeah, he did it because he was feeling charitable.”
“Not charitable, no, but this is part of being principal. Supporting the teams.” And his job was the thing that mattered above all else to Ben, at least more than I mattered to him.
“You don’t believe that.” Chris turned to face me but I kept my focus where it belonged, on my girls on the field. I didn’t need one of Ben’s friends to do his bidding, to convince me that the truth wasn’t the truth. “Oh wow, you do believe that. He must have messed up worse than he said.”
Yeah, that did get my attention. “There was nothing to mess up, because we weren’t ever anything. Not really.”
“Let’s say that is the truth, why else would he have all these people come out to cheer on the soccer team?”
