AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I inhale a sharp breath, feeling like a little girl, caught with my hand in the cookie jar—the cookie jar full of football players.
“It’s obvious it’s about a girl.” He sighs. “This is something I have to deal with every year, so I’m not new to this game. This is, however, the first time I’ve had to deal with it when it comes to my daughter being the girl my players are fighting over.”
My eyes meet with Aaron’s, and I can tell he’s freaking out internally while Beau seems cool as a cucumber.
“It shouldn’t surprise me that this is happening, especially with you, Aaron. I was kind of waiting for it to finally happen, but I’m not quite sure where Beau comes into the picture—”
“Daddy—” I interrupt, but he holds up his hand, telling me to stop.
“I don’t need to know, Sadie. As long as this is staying innocent, I know you have your own life, and you’re getting older. This is all a very normal part of growing up. I won’t, however, let it affect my team. So”—he faces Aaron—“I take it, you and my daughter are dating now?”
Aaron doesn’t hesitate when he responds, “Yes, Coach.”
Seeing him not back down from my father makes me stop and pause as a smile grows on my face. When our eyes meet again, he matches my expression.
“And, Beau, I know you and my daughter were, I guess what you kids call it nowadays, ‘talking’”—he uses air quotes to make his point—“before these two made it more official.”
“Daddy, I—”
“Yes, Coach,” Beau says, stopping me in my tracks.
My dad turns to me again. “Remember, I see everything, so don’t deny it.”
I sit back in my chair ever so slightly and bite the inside of my lip. He’s right after all.
“The only reason I didn’t say anything earlier is because, if I’m being honest with myself, you two were the only boys I would have allowed her to date anyway.” He motions toward me. “So, I was leaving it up to her. I see that she’s made her choice, so now, we have to find a way to move past that and work together as a team on the field. I don’t care if you don’t like each other off my field, but you must leave all of that in the locker room. You hear me?”
“Yes, Coach,” they respond in unison.
“Okay, head home and get some sleep. I want you both to forget about this teenage-love shit and be the ballers I know you can be.”
“You got it, Coach.” Beau speaks up first.
“You have my word, Coach,” Aaron says next.
“Good. Glad we had this talk.” He goes to leave but stops short of the living room and says, “Oh, and, Aaron? No more staying later. Head on home.”
I close my eyes, feeling more embarrassed than I ever have in my entire life.
Beau is quick to walk out the door without another word, but Aaron stops at my front door to properly say good-bye to me.
“So, I’m guessing we weren’t being as careful as we thought?” he taunts, making me laugh.
“I guess not.”
He pulls me closer to him. “Then, this means I can kiss you good night.”
His lips meet mine, but just as fast as they do, my dad yells, “Good night, Aaron.”
I cover my mouth to hide my giggles. He grins and waves his good-bye before turning away.
The cat’s officially out of the bag now. Aaron and I are a thing, and my dad’s okay with it. I never thought I’d see the day that he’d allow me to date anyone, but here I am. Knowing that he knew about Beau and approved of him adds to the shock of the night as well.
Maybe my dad isn’t as scary as he always tries to be …
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
Sophomore Year
