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“What position?” Maddox swigs his beer.
The older man runs a hand over his near bald head. “It isn’t out yet, but I’m retiring in December.” Coach pauses to eye Courtney, Brayden, and Jack. “And you three never heard a thing, got it?”
They all nod, expressions serious, though I suspect his impending retirement isn’t that much of a secret. The announcement is supposed to be out any day now, and I’ve heard chatter and speculation around town about who people think might replace him.
“Oh, congratulations.” Maddox raises his beer and smiles. “Oliver, you going for Coach’s job?”
The man close to me releases a low sigh and rakes a hand through his hair. We talked about this very thing last night. About how he had to let Coach down easy. With the situation with Dot now out in the open, Oliver’s confident she’ll relent on the Nest if only to save face. He wants to keep his business and take it global.
“Uh, about that, Coach. I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Do you want to go outside or in the kitchen or something?”
Oliver starts to move me when Coach puts out a hand and curls his fingers toward himself. “Spit it out. The cat’s out of the bag; there’s no point in keeping things on the down low.” He sounds amused but also a tad agitated, likely suspecting Oliver will turn him down.
“I really appreciate you considering me?—”
“Oliver, let me stop you there. I get it, you’re not interested.” Everything about him—expression, shoulders, stance—deflates. “I only thought you’d be a great fit. We need someone who’s going to care about the kids, the sports…”
He slumps into the seat next to us and Oliver frowns. “Coach, I do and I’m honored you thought to ask me. If I didn’t already have a job, a business I built with my own hands that I love, I’d jump at this opportunity.”
“Hey, Coach, what would you say if I was interested?” Maddox leans forward in his chair, elbows resting on his thighs, and all gazes settle on him.
I wriggle forward in Oliver’s lap. “Mad, what about racing?”
He flushes and hangs his head for a beat. “I’m done with that. Retired.” The grin he presents us with pinches at my chest. Obligatory and ironic, it isn’t one of a man embracing his fate.
“What?” Percy places her beer on the table. “So you’re moving back to Winslow Grove?”
Oliver and I share a curious look. Mad has been evasive at best, more silent than anything else about his last race and all that we’ve read and seen in the media. None of us know what happened, and while we haven’t pushed, the man is tight-lipped.
“Yeah.” His smile is more genuine and maybe even hopeful. “For the time being, I’m crashing with my mom, but I’ll need to find a place of my own.” He turns to Coach. “And a job.”
Both Mad and Oliver went to the same college and took the same courses, so he’s just as qualified for Coach’s position.
“You serious?” Coach straightens. “If you are, let’s talk. You’d be a better choice than the yahoo Lara Crandall wants.”
The teens snicker until Coach shoots them a “behave” look and the room falls silent, save for the TV and the ticking of the clock.
Pop moseys into the living room, wiping his hands on a towel. “Let’s eat.”
I get up and take Oliver’s hand, the two of us hanging back to talk with Mad.
“We’re happy you’re staying in town.” I squeeze his shoulder.
Oliver steps in beside him. “You want this?”
“Sure.” Mad shrugs.
Oliver pushes. “Winslow Grove? Teaching high school gym and coaching? Because we both know it’s a far cry from jet-setting around the world, racing the fastest car, and living the high life with all the finest things money can buy.”
Mad winces and shakes his head, expression now somber. “I know, Oliver. I’m fully aware that my lifestyle would be completely different. Simpler.” He slides in front of us, stopping us in our tracks. “That’s what I want.” He scratches his chin in mock contemplation, suddenly defensive. “I thought you didn’t want the job? Or is it that you don’t want me back in town?”
“Mad—” I say, but Oliver cuts me off, “That isn’t it and you know it. It’s just that this town and this life, you used to say it was too small for you. Your mom… Too suffocating. I’m making sure you know what you’re doing. I’d want nothing more than to have my best friend back in town.”
He clamps a hand on Maddox’s shoulder. His friend relaxes, all the vim and vigor fizzles out of him, and his shoulders sag. “Shit, sorry, bro. It’s just been a lot of change in a short amount of time. I want to be here. Katie Rae’s here, you two, and I’d love coaching and teaching. I think this is meant to be.” He claps Oliver on the back and turns to stroll into the dining room.
Before we follow, I tug at Oliver’s arm. “Try not to worry. This is a good thing. We’re here for Mad, and I know how much you’ve missed him.”
“Yeah, it is. He just seems haunted and won’t talk about what happened. And where’s Erica in all this?”
