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I give him a disgusted look. I don’t like being called out on my spying. “All I’m thinking is the cheer girls need to practice somewhere else when we’re down here running drills. The timetable will need to change. It doesn’t work having them here at the same time.”
He looks at the rest of the team, who are working double-time on the task we set them. “Everyone else seems pretty happy about it. The team’s not complaining. If anything, I think they train harder knowing the girls are around and might catch a glimpse of them flexing their muscles.” He chuckles.
“You better be right. We have our first game in a few weeks, and right now...”
“They’ll be ready. Look at them already rocking it,” he cuts me off. “You’re the one I’m worried about.”
Man, I need to keep myself in check if it’s that obvious, even to him.
“Looks like some intense training is paying off, fellas,” comes Jerry’s voice from behind us. And I can only hope he didn’t just hear Miles’s stupid comments about Cassie. I know he’s watching the team closely. It’s all he seems worried about, that and the cheer squad. Even back when I went to school here, it was an expectation that we pushed to be the best, but this is next-level hovering by a man who should have more pressing matters to attend to.
I turn to see him with two students. “Got you two new recruits for the Scorpions, both transferred in this week.” He grins.
I look them over. They look the part, and the truth is, we need some new talent if we’re going to be competitive. Two new players might be just what we need to lift morale and bring us together. “Right, let’s see what you’ve got, then.” I toss the taller one a ball.
The boys run onto the field with the others, and Jerry comes to stand by my side, the stench of his cheap cologne giving me an instant headache. “Tall one’s Carter, he was the star quarterback for Houston before his dad got a transfer here. Sure you can work with him. And the blond, Alec, is an exceptional wide receiver.”
I watch them as they slot into place with the team and run the drill. He’s right, these boys know what they’re doing. Carter reminds me of myself at that age.
“Nice,” comments Miles, looking to me, impressed.
“Yeah, real nice.” I turn to look at Jerry. “What a fluke they showed up right when we needed them.”
“This is our year, boys, I’m telling you.” He pats me on the back with a hard thud. “Make it work. There's a lot riding on this,” he says. He has said that before, and I’m happy to have the support of the school community behind the team, but this whole “we have to win at all costs” attitude is a bit over the top, and I have to wonder why it’s so important that we win—other than the bragging rights and the winner's check we would pick up. Is the school so desperate for funds? Jerry turns to leave but adds, “And call your mother. She would love to hear from you,” before he stalks away.
The cheer girls go their separate ways, and Scarlet and Cassandra cross the field, heading in our direction. I check the time and realize we should be done as well. “Right, boys, that’s enough for today. Hit the showers,” I shout to them. Time has gotten away from me. They head off toward the gym, leaving us to pack away the equipment.
“Are you boys coming tonight?” Scarlet calls to us.
I look at Miles. What was I supposed to be doing tonight? This first week back has my head scrambled, or is it just the pretty redhead who is now staring at me, her head tilted to the side in inquiring interest? Her expression is flat until Miles walks toward the two of them, and her lips turn into a flirty smile for him. I drag my eyes away from them, not wanting to see another show of hers, slamming the last of the balls into the bag.
“Yeah, I was going to ask you if you wanted me to pick you up for it or something,” I overhear him ask her.
“Like a date?” she asks him, a little unsure but loud enough for me to hear. Great, she is going to date him right in front of me just to spite me.
“If you want it to be,” he tells her with way too much swagger to his voice. I smirk to myself. He’s trying too hard with her, and I already know she’s going to hate it.
“You can pick me up,” she tells him, and I stop what I’m doing, surprised. The ping of discomfort is more than I can stand. I walk toward them, and her eyes drift to me, a flash of nervous energy washing over her, and then flick back to him. “But just so you know, Miles, I don’t date coworkers, so just as friends. Is that cool?” she tells him, and I’m not sure if the show was for my benefit, if she was just going to turn him down anyway, but my muscles relax regardless.
He nods. “Smart. I’ll pick you up at six. You want a lift as well, Scarlet?” he responds. If he’s disappointed, he doesn’t show it. Maybe I’m just being paranoid about the whole flirting thing. But he did just ask her out.
“Sure do.” She smiles. “A kid-free night's going to be amazing. Brandon, what about you?” She’s the first to take notice of my presence.
I give her a blank look and raise my shoulder, like I have no idea what they’re all talking about.
“The night at the movies fundraiser the student body is running,” she tells me, and I nod, remembering, and this whole thing falls into place.
“Yeah, you can pick me up too, Miles, I wouldn’t miss it.” I look straight at my little Shortcake, who is noticeably irritated by my presence, and I grin at her, laying on the charm real thick. I know my intention was to keep my cool around her, not doing anything to screw up this job, but that’s not working so well for me. So maybe a night with her might be more what we need to settle the shit from the past. So we can both move on and work together without her being such a distraction.
CHAPTER FIVE
CASSANDRA
It’samazinghowmuchthe students have done in only a few hours. The back field has been transformed into an outdoor movie theatre with bean-bag-style chairs and rugs spread out over the lawn, a large screen and projector, and food trucks to the side in the parking lot. We never did anything this cool when I went to school here. Or maybe we did. I missed most school events. I was too busy in the dance studio perfecting my technique.
“Wow, check this all out. How good are our students?” Scarlet says.
“I’m impressed they did this all in a week,” I agree with her.
