I nod, raising my hands up in mock surrender. “Fair point.”
We sit back as we sip our drinks, taking in the calm before tonight’s game.
“I’ve been meaning to ask, how are things going for you?” I ask, wanting to check in with her like she does for me.
She sets her mug down and sighs. “Between having to study every player and know who they are, making sure the media and the fans like the players and the team, all while managing the higher ups expectations about costs and projections, it’s been an intense few weeks. I’m definitely learning a lot, though.”
“Do I need to fight someone for you?”
She laughs, taking a sip of her coffee. “No, there’s no need for fighting, but I’m glad to have you in mycorner. I can do this job, but I’m a bit paranoid. I tend to get treated differently being the Coach’s daughter, you know?”
“I know you deserve to be here, and if others don't think so, you’ll just prove them wrong. If things get bad or you need anything, please tell me. You’re my girl, and I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks. It’s been really nice to have a friend to talk to about this,” she smiles shyly, and a glint in her eyes surfaces before the conversation shifts to me.
“Speaking of being besties, how are things with you and Jake?”
I laugh as I sip my tea, a warm blush creeping up my cheeks. “Things have been okay. I told you he texted me the night after their first game, but he hasn’t texted since then, and I don’t want to push things too fast. I’m feeling hopeful with how we’ve interacted, but like I told him, he’s in charge and I’ll follow his lead.”
“I know you want to take things at his pace, but what if that’s the wrong approach?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re scared of messing up, but don’t hold back or go too slow because of it. If you really do still care about him, which I know you do, then maybe going slow isn’t the answer. You want to build trust with him, but how can you do that without putting the work in?”
I contemplate her words.
She does have a point here. I want to respect that he needs time and space, but I also know that we have so much history. I will fight for us, to prove myself to him and hopefully earn his trust and love back.
We sit and chat for a little bit longer, the breeze picking up and sending a chill up my bare legs. I’m wearing a yellow sundress that flows nicely over my curves, has thinstraps over my shoulders, and ends just above my knees. But now that the wind is picking up, I regret not bringing a sweater. Before I can ask Emilia if she’s ready to head out, my phone rings with an incoming call from Coach Davenport.
“Hey, Coach, what’s up?” I ask him, eyeing Em warily.
Coach never really calls, usually texts what he needs, so I’m a little on edge.
“Hey, are you at the hotel right now?” The hesitation lacing his voice also doesn’t help my nerves.
“We’re down the street, but I can meet you in the lobby. Why? Is everything okay?”
“The bus should be pulling up in roughly ten minutes, so I’ll fill you in when I get there.”
“Okay, we’ll see you in a minute.” I hang up and look at Emilia, seeing a concerned look on her face.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just Coach needing to talk to me. We should head out and see what’s going on.”
We pay for our food and walk back to the hotel, all the while I have a million thoughts running through my head.
Is one of the players hurt? One of my brothers? Am I doing a good enough job? No, stop it. I can’t think like that. Everything is going to be fine.
I need to calm my thoughts before they consume me.
We step into the lobby and sit on the couches just as the team bus pulls up and the guys all start to file off, making their way around before the game tonight.
As I’m waiting for Coach to step off the bus, I watched as a bright red faced Eric storms down the stairs, fury painted across his face. Just when I think he’s going to continue on further into the lobby, he stops in his tracks, his gaze connecting with mine.
He looks pissed, and I wonder what happened to him.There’s no words exchanged between us, but it almost feels like his anger is directed towards me with the way his eyes darken and his scowl becomes more prominent.
