Danbury flicks his gaze to Landon, waiting for his response.
“We’re good, sir.”
“Good.” Danbury clasps his hands on his desk. “I’m looking forward to a great season.”
I push out of my chair, and make a beeline for the door. Biting my tongue isn’t my strong suit, and the words are burning my throat as I hold them back. The further I get from this office, the better.
Landon follows me out into the hallway. “So, it’s like this, still, after all these years?”
Just ignore him. Keep walking.
“Ainsley.”
He’s baiting you. Don’t respond.
“You tell me I need therapy?” he continues. “It’s pretty sad to see that you haven’t done any personal growth in the last decade.”
Aaaand there it is.
I spin around on my heels, forcing Landon to stop short so he doesn’t crash into me. “Here’s how this is gonna go: You stick to your side of the field, and I’ll stick to mine. Don’t speak to me, and I won’t speak to you. But so help me God, if you try to undermine me in any way, I will ruin your life.”
His brown eyes narrow as he stares down his nose at me. “You really think I’d take this position just to mess with you? As if I’ve thought about nothing else since graduation?” He huffs out a laugh. “Good to know your ego is still fueling you.”
I roll my eyes so hard I see my brain. “You’re saying you didn’t immediately think of me when this position opened up? You didn’t think about the fact that we’d have to work together every single day?” I lift my chin, trying to make up for the few inches he has on me. “Because I’d bet all my money that your little dick got hard when you thought about seeing the look on my face when you walked into that office just now.”
“That’s the difference between us, Ainsley. I don’t get off on causing drama and making other people miserable. I am a professional. I am a team player. I know why I took this job, and it has nothing to do with you.” His head dips down as he lowers his voice, his dark eyes gleaming like a demon. “But you should ask yourself why you’re thinking about my dick after all these years.”
My fingers curl into my palms as I ball my hands into fists, rage coursing through my body like a poison.
Calm down, Morgan. You’ve been through this before. You know what to do.
I count my breaths, slow, deliberate and practiced. It’s been so long since I’ve had any sort of exchange with this man, and I forgot how infuriating he is. Arguing with him won’t get me anywhere though, aside from popping an antacid in my bath later tonight. I need to take the high road and continue keepingmy head down, focusing on my team. I landed the coveted varsity coaching spot, after all, while he’s on JV.
“I know this is difficult for you, being second to a girl yet again. The same girl, no less.” I smirk as I turn to walk away. “Keep riding my coattails, Golden Boy. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two this time around.”
With my head held high, I make my way out to the field and don’t spare him a second glance. I’m used to putting on a smile and controlling my emotions when it comes to this game. Nothing will rattle me this season. Not the parents, not the other teams.
Least of all Landon fucking Fletcher.
Chapter 2
Landon
“Hydrate and rotate!”
Ainsley’s voice cuts through the air, and I scan the line of girls sprinting down the field as their cleats chew up grass that’s already worn thin. Between the uneven ground and soft spots, it’s a rolled ankle waiting to happen.
Meanwhile, the boys’ lacrosse team stretches out on the pristine turf across campus. I shake my head and push the frustration aside. No point in getting upset over something I can’t control. We’ll make do with what we have.
It must be eating at Ainsley though. She always called out the inequities between teams, and that was before they gave her a whistle and made her head coach. I can’t imagine she hasn’t raised hell about the grass out here.
She’s several yards away, yet I don’t have to look to know that she’s standing with her long brown hair pulled high into a tight ponytail; feet wide, arms crossed over her chest, chin tipped like she’s already decided who belongs here and who isn’t making the cut. Though Aviators shield her eyes, I feel her gaze on me, the way the sun singes your already-burnt skin after you’ve beenout in it for way too long. My muscles tighten, and I clench and unclench my fists, acid eating a hole through my stomach.
I came into this situation prepared to be mature, ready to leave the past where it lies. It’s been over fifteen years since we played on the same team. We should be able to stand beside each other now as adults.
But two minutes in Danbury’s office proved that not a thing has changed about Ainsley Morgan in all these years.
And much to my dismay, not much has changed for me either.
