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I huff out a laugh, shaking my head. “You and I both know there’s a good chance I won’t be alone.”
Carter groans with a laugh just as keys jingle in my front door and it slowly opens. “You’re right. I should have known.”
My lips pull into a grin as I turn around and relish in the smell of takeout from my new favorite diner. “Took you long enough,” I say, hanging up the phone.
Chapter Thirteen
Wes
IhateMonday meetings with a passion. As if Mondays weren’t bad enough just by existing.
“Are we done? I have things to do,” I bark out before biting my tongue. It’s been almost a week since we lost our quarterback and westilldon’t have a replacement. Rising to my feet, I move to leave—“Actually, one more thing”—and drop back down with a groan. Will this ever end?
Our fitness director, Aaron, keeps talking despite my clear annoyance. “We’ve got a new physical therapist starting tomorrow—well, she’s not really new,” he drones on as I rest my face in my hands, waiting for his announcement to be over while trying really hard not to walk out midspeech. I’ve been told that’s rude, but sometimes it’s necessary. “Some of you may remember her, so if you see Lucy in the halls, please make her feel welcome.”
“The fuck!” My head shoots up and I glare his way. This has to be a joke. The world is trying to mess with me.
“What do you mean ‘the fuck’?” Aaron asks, an uncharacteristically sour look on his face. This guy is always nice, but from day one it’s been obvious we weren’t going to get along—there’s just something about him. Probably because he’stoohappy. I don’t know. I don’t care.
“I’m a little put off by the fact that Ijuststarted as interim head coach and the team seems to be falling apart. First you lose your coach, hence me, then a QB, a trainer, and now a physical therapist? What’s going on?” I’m acting crazy, I know. But I’m not wrong.
“We haven’t lost any trainers,” Aaron says with a frown, before abruptly announcing, “Meeting adjourned.”
Since he doesn’t actually have authority to make that call, no one moves until the big man in charge repeats his statement.
What?! That was weird.I’m not going to argue though. Pushing back my chair with a loud screech, I stand to leave. Again.
“Not you,” Aaron demands, motioning for me to sit. My fists clench beside me, ready to argue, but when my boss gives me a nod, I’m forced to comply.Fucker.
When the room has cleared out, Aaron taps his pen on the table and continues. “We haven’t lost a trainer. It was our PT caught with one ofyourplayers.”
I don’t like the way he says “your” but I let it slide. Maybe this guy isn’t as nice as he seems.
“Right, okay. So you hiredanotherfemale to replace her. Isn’t that asking for trouble?”
Aaron’s eyes flare, and he slaps his palms on the table. If looks could kill I’d be six feet under. He’s about to tear me a new one when the boss man steps in.
“Come on, Wes. Since when are you sexist?”
Uh. Since never. I just popped my sexism cherry, and I feel pretty shitty about it. Not that I admit that. Instead, I square my shoulders and face off with both of them.
“Since I have my defensive coordinator threatening to quit if he’s forced to choose between his job and his girlfriend, now that the bullshit no dating rule is in place.”And since you decided to hire a girl named Lucy and I’m fucking pissed about it.
Fuck my life.
“Run it again,” I yell at the two guys I’ve been working to the bone. We need a decision by the end of the day. Summer training is about to start, and I’d rather not have to admit we’re missing a crucial player.
“That’s it, Mini B. Nice one.” I clap his performance and nod to the offensive coordinator, Sean. This kid is good.
Mini B’s eyes narrow as he jogs back to position. They all think I’m an asshole, yet I always give credit where credit’s due. Compliment aside, he’s not a huge fan of the nickname I’ve given him now that I know his brother, but I’m sure it’ll grow on him. Or I’ll tire of it. Either way, he’s fine.
“Alright, Rookie. You’re up.”
We’re down to the rookie and Mini B for the starting quarterback position. Rookie is fucking phenomenal for his age. He has raw talent that can’t be rivaled, at least in speed and skill. Calling the plays though… He’s still got a bit to learn. I have no doubt that after a year as a backup, he’ll be the number one player on everyone’s radar. The scouts were right.
Mini B, on the other hand, has a mind for this game. Despite being a wide receiver, his ability to call plays and predict movement is up there with some of the best, and he has thisborn leaderfeel about him. But he’s also cocky as fuck, so I’m torn.
We practice for another hour before calling it a day. The boys smile as they walk off the field, but I know I pushed them hard and they’ll be cursing me in the locker room.
