I smile as I take out a package of chicken from the refrigerator. “I’m not going far; I told you this.”
“You’ll go as far as you need to if it’s the best school. I was looking at North Carolina and Boston the other night. Their lacrosse programs seem really competitive.”
I raise my eyebrows as I glance at him over my shoulder. “I thought we weren’t thinking about college until next year?”
He stifles a sly smile. “I was curious.”
“You might as well move with me wherever I go. You’re going to want to see me play.” I slice open the plastic and pull out a chicken breast. “Besides, who’s going to make sure you eat dinner every night?”
He chuckles. “I will definitely miss your home-cooked meals.”
Sadness pools in my stomach. I hate thinking about leaving him. I know the time will inevitably come; I can’t live with my father forever. But the thought of him all alone in his big house makes me want to stay close by.
“All right.” I straighten my shoulders and swallow down the emotion. “No more college talk. Let me tell you about how I kicked Landon’s ass in volleyball today.”
Chapter 5
Ainsley
Present
He’s already here.
Of course, he is.
I’m early, the morning fog lingering over the field, coupled with the fishy scent of the morning tide clinging to the air. But I should’ve anticipated Landon being earlier. Any inch he can take to encroach on my territory. Plus, he has this weird thing with time.If you’re not early, you’re late.Add that to the list of things about Landon Fletcher that annoy the shit out of me.
I slam my car door as hard as I can, just to relieve some of the pent-up tension coiling my insides since yesterday. I need a different tactic for today’s tryouts. Squaring up with him in front of the kids isn’t a good look, and the last thing I need is a parent catching wind of it. Knowing Landon, he’s hoping I fly off the handle and get myself fired so he can swoop in and take my spot.
Never gonna happen, buddy.
My breath clouds in front of me as I make my way onto the field, digging my hands into the pocket of my hoodie. A handful of girls jog past me, sticks tucked under their arms. I take noteof the numbers drawn onto their calves with markers so I can remember who’s here early and putting in extra effort.
They are why I’m here. These girls are my focus.
Not the irritating man calling out to them. “Middies on the right, and attackers on the left. We’ll run transitions first today.”
I reach the gate and push it open, watching as the girls scramble into lines. Landon walks backward across the field, whistle between his lips, keen eyes scanning the field like he owns it.
The only child in me rears up, and I want to ram that whistle down his throat.
“Grip that clipboard any harder and you’re going to snap it in half.”
I glance at Raymond. “Is it that obvious?”
He nods once, gazing out at the field. “You need to get your shit together. We need you out here.”
My cheeks puff as I blow out a long breath. “I’m trying.”
“Try harder.”
Raymond Parker was my PE teacher when I was in high school. Almost two decades later and I call him a friend. He’s had my back long before I took this coaching position last year, and he saw what it was like for me being the only girl on the boys’ lacrosse team. He knows what I’m dealing with.
WhoI’m dealing with.
“I’m gonna make Natalie and the others join these newbies on the field today.”
Ray nods. “Keep ‘em in line.”
