Ivori blinks as her brown eyes lock with mine. “I’m sorry, what?”
I cough out a laugh. “It was an ambush. We met in Danbury’s office five minutes before tryouts started.”
Her jaw drops open. “I heard a rumor that he moved back to town.”
My eyebrows jump. “And you didn’t think to share that information with the rest of the class?”
“I didn’t know if it was true, so I didn’t want to upset you for nothing.” She takes a bite of my chicken. “What did you say to Danbury?”
“I told him it was a bad idea, and then he said he could find new coaches if we aren’t able to put aside our differences.”
Ivori and Evan exchange glances. It’s the same expressions they wore in high school when I skipped meals and doubled my gym time; or when I passed out on the field from exhaustion; and after they called an emergency meeting with my dad and the guidance counselor behind my back.
I can admit now that I’d become obsessed with proving myself as the only girl on the boys’ lacrosse team—a team Landon Fletcher was the heart and soul of. And he didn’t make it easy on me. The Golden Boy had a hard time sharing the spotlight, and he made my life miserable because of it.
But I don’t need my friends worrying about me. They supported me more than enough when my father passed, and I refuse to be that burden again. “You guys don’t have to be worried about me. I’m not a kid anymore. I won’t make those same mistakes again.”
I feel foolish enough that I let him get under my skin so quickly today. We’re in our thirties, for Christ’s sake. I’m more mature than that.
Ivori places her hand on my forearm. “I know it’s been a long time since high school, and I know how much you’ve grown since then. But without reconciling anything between you two, it’s going to be difficult to navigate this. We’re just looking out for you, that’s all.”
Evan nudges the basket of wings in front of me. “And you haven’t touched your food since we got here, so tell me again how the past won’t repeat itself.”
My cheeks heat as I’m called out by my best friends. “I appreciate your concern.” I lift a chicken wing from the basket and take a big bite. “See? Nothing to worry about.”
Evan purses his lips, but Ivori helps change the subject. “All right, Coach Cole. Let’s hear about your shitty day. We’ve both clearly had one.”
Evan leans back against his chair and lets out a long exhale. “Lucas wants to get a tattoo.”
I toss my head back and bark out a laugh. That kid is going to send his father to an early grave.
The bartender drops down a refill for each of us, and Ivori clinks her bottle against mine. “Things could always be worse, Ainsley. We could have kids.”
“I don’t envy you, man. It’s hard enough being the coach of these kids. I can’t imagine being the parent of one.” I smile and bump Evan with my shoulder. “You gonna let him get a tattoo?”
“Hell no.” His entire body goes rigid, and his dark eyebrows press together over his olive-green eyes. “His frontal lobe isn’t close to being fully formed. He can’t even make up his mind about what he wants for dinner. He’s not getting a damn tattoo.”
“And what decisions didyoumake when your frontal lobe wasn’t fully formed?” Ivori arches an accusatory brow. “Could be worse.”
I know Evan doesn’t regret the accidental pregnancy when he was in college because it led him to his son. And Lucas iswonderful. But it has definitely caused Evan to keep a tight leash on him—sometimes a littletootight.
I tilt my head from side to side. “At least he’s coming to you with what he wants. It could be a good bonding moment for you two. You should think about it.”
He grumbles into his beer.
“What are you going to do about no-fun-Fletcher?” Ivori leans her elbow onto the bar and sinks her chin into her hand. “Maybe you two should sit down and have a talk before the season starts.”
I huff out a laugh. “Yeah, I don’t think talking is the right way to go. The little exchange we had in the hallway didn’t go over well.”
“Oh, girl. What did you say?”
I roll my lips between my teeth. “Let’s just say I made it clear that he needs to stay out of my way.”
“Doesn’t look like he listened.” Evan gestures toward the door, and in walks the devil.
My fingers crumple the napkin in my fist, watching as several people clap Landon on the back and shake his hand. I’m surprised there wasn’t a parade.The Golden Boy returns to Breakwater.
Landon’s eyes scan the room until they land on me.
