“Dude,” Brooker interrupted, standing up to tower over Renee. “What’s your damage? Could you really not have looked the other way over a fucking kiss?”
“Well,” she stuttered. “It’s highly inappropriate for a player and a PA to —”
“Renee, what the hell?” Lunez said, standing up from farther back. Renee’s face went pink and she pushed past Brooker to return to her player. There were some angry whispers, but I wasn’t particularly interested in whatever happened to her.
I turned back to Kodi, who was nearly sawing at her lip. “We won’t know what Coach’s reaction is until after we land and get to the hotel. There’s nothing we can do right now.”
“I know,” she groaned. “But why wasthishow we got caught?”
“It could’ve been worse. We could’ve been trying to join the mile-high club and she walked in,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. She leaned back onto the headrest, facing me, a soft smile lighting up her face.
“God, I wish I wasn’t having a crash out so I can enjoy hearing you make a joke.”
“Should I try harder? Not sure I can come up with a more embarrassing scenario.”
“I dunno, mile-high club could be kinda sexy. Though in a plane full of your teammates, it’d be kinda hard to do all the foreplay and be aroused enough for you to get it in quickly.” She started to giggle and the sound eased some of the tension that was beginning to weigh me down.
“There’s my girl.” I squeezed her hand again. “And besides, whatever scandalous way she spun things, the guys will back up that it was just a kiss on the cheek.”
“Don’t you think Coach will assume they’re covering for you?”
“Well, it’d be the first time the whole team agrees on something. So probably not.”
“Probably,” she grumbled. I leaned over and tilted her chin up so I could kiss her on the lips. Our cover was already blown, so a brief peck was probably fine. “Hmm, maybe joining the mile-high club wouldn’t bethathard after all.”
“Maybe next time, baby.”
“Hmm, I’ll hold you to that. And if you get transferred, I expect you to fly me out to all your games.”
“All of my games?” I chuckled. “I’m not exactly buy-a-private-plane rich. You know that, right?”
“Then get there.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, knowing I’d do whatever she said to keep her happy and keep her mine.
A Best-Case Scenario
Olli
When we arrived at the hotel, Coach was waiting for us in the lobby. He motioned for Kodi and me to join him at one of the side tables before we could even check into our rooms.
“Time to face the music, I guess,” Kodi groaned, handing off our bags to Taylor.
“I’m joining you two,” Christenson said, handing his bags to Brooker. “I should’ve had this situation more under control.”
“Situation?” I repeated.
“It’s a good thing,” Christenson said with a tired smile. “And I’m really happy for you two. But it’s a situation nonetheless. And I could’ve made for a smoother transition had I been more on top of things. So anything Coach has to say to you, he can say to me.” Christenson clapped me on the shoulder, giving mea tight squeeze. “And whatever happens … first round is on me tonight.”
“Thanks. But I don’t think you should be so hard on yourself. I know you’re doing a lot behind the scenes.” I patted his hand on my shoulder then walked over to join Kodi and Boyd at the table, Christenson right behind me.
“— Ms. Hall has been … persistent in getting her player on the field, but I don’t think she’d outright lie,” Coach said, speaking more to his phone at the center of the table than to Kodi.
“I agree. Ms. Davey, I’m disappointed in you,” Hansen said over the phone, voice weary. Kodi pulled back and blinked rapidly.
“I —” she started to say, but her voice cracked.
“Coach, Mr. Hansen, I don’t know what Lunez’s agent said, but all she saw was a kiss on the cheek,” I said, fist clinched.
