“Aw, man.” Travis sighs. “You moved your head, Ains.”
“Way to go,Ains.” I bump her with my shoulder. “And no, I’m not jealous. I just don’t understand why he’s wasting so much time. Just take the damn picture so we can go.”
I say the last part a little louder on purpose, and Travis chuckles. “Sorry, guys. This will only take one more minute. Just need to get these last shots in before the boys’ come on the field.”
The camera clicks and we’re finally done. We say goodbye to the girls as their families pick them up, and wait in the parking lot with the stragglers.
Travis walks over to Ainsley, even though he’s supposed to be setting up for the boys’ lacrosse photos. I’m not close enough to hear what they’re saying—and Hannah freaking Brennan won’t come up for air—but after a few minutes, he leans in to hug Ainsley and then walks backward toward the field.
“Miss you, Ains.”
She glances down and smiles at her shoes, and then Travis turns around and jogs back through the gate.
Ainsley glances at the girls who are left before moving to stand beside me.
I smirk at her, eyebrows raised.
She shoots me a death glare. “Say nothing, or I’ll kick you.”
A silent laugh leaves my chest.
But she didn’t say she misses him back.
“Coach Landon,” Hanna spins around to face us, “are you single?”
I choke on my spit. “That’s not an appropriate conversation to have with an adult, Hannah.”
She shrugs and snaps her gum. “I’m not asking for me. My mom wants to know.”
Now Ainsley’s the one laughing.
“I...”How do I answer this in the safest way?“I’m single, but I’m not looking to date anyone. Tell your mother sorry, but I’m not interested.”
“Good. She’s crazy.” Hannah blows a bubble and lets it pop. “I wouldn’t wish her on anyone. I’m not even mad about my dad leaving us. I don’t blame the guy. Just wish he would’ve taken me with him.”
My chest fills with sadness. “That’s a lot to handle. Have you spoken to the counselor about any of this?”
“I thought she was for, like, school problems.”
I shake my head. “You can talk to her about anything.”
“Mrs. Bergman is really great,” Ainsley says. “You should make an appointment to talk with her.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Her mother’s SUV pulls into the parking lot, windows down and Katy Perry blasting on the radio. Hannah rolls her eyes. “See ya tomorrow, Coach.”
“Let’s get out of here before she asks for your number,” Ainsley whispers.
I speed-walk to my SUV, but then I remember my conversation with Quinn earlier today. “Quinn mentioned you tried to get turf for our field a few years back. What happened?”
Ainsley heaves a sigh as she swings open her car door and leans on it. “Danbury claimed they didn’t have the money for it, and that we’d revisit it another year.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Well, it’s another year.”
Her eyebrows jump. “You want to try again?”
“We absolutely should try again. I mean, that’s what we have booster parents for. We can do fundraisers and promote it around town. There’s no way we can’t get it done by next year.”
Ainsley’s eyes light up. “That sounds great. I’m in.”
