Page 453 of Ruthless Court

Standing in my kitchen making waffles.

“I know who I want beside me.”

Coach Goodwin looks at me for a long time.

Then exhales.

“You've got balls coming in here.”

“So I've been told.”

“She's going to be furious.”

“Also been told.”

He pushes himself up.

For one terrible second, I think I'm being thrown out.

Instead, he extends his hand.

I take it.

His grip is strong.

“Christmas Eve dinner is six.”

Relief hits.

“I'm in?”

“You're in.”

I grin.

“Thank you, sir.”

His hand tightens before releasing mine.

“One condition.”

“What's that?”

He nods toward the court.

“You're finishing my camp.”

I look through the office window.

Thirty kids are pretending not to stare.

“Hell yeah.”

“And you're paying the sixty-five dollars.”

I laugh.

“Seriously?”