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I start to respond but the siren goes off and it's time to suit up.
"Hurry up boys, we’ve got an injury. Crash out on the interstate and word from the state troopers is that there are possibly multiple casualties and we’re going to need the jaws of life."
I run to my bench and throw on my clothes. The conversation with Jack and any thoughts about who Emily is dating leaves my mind. This is going to be a bad one. I just hope that we can get there in time.
"Hey, Coach." I sit back on the couch and take a long sip of my beer. It had taken hours to get the bodies out of the car.
We couldn’t save everyone, but the mother and child who were hit were stable when Flight For Life flew them to the hospital. I will never understand texting and driving. If the guy who hit them had been paying attention, he and his two friends would still be alive.
"You sound beat," Coach says, and I take another long pull from my drink.
"Long day. There was an accident out on the interstate, but it's all cleaned up now."
"That sounds like a hard job you've chosen. You know you can always come back and coach. They would snap you up in a heartbeat."
"Looking to retire already?" I ask him and he laughs.
"No, I was thinking as an assistant coach of some kind. Don’t be gunning for my job yet kid, I'm not ready to hit the bricks just yet."
"Good, because I love this job even on the hard days. I still get the adrenaline rush but it comes with the bonus of saving people at the same time.”
"You always did like the rush, Sanderson. It's one of the things that made you great. Now, I didn’t just call you to talk about old times and offer you a job. You are coming to the charity auction, aren't you?"
"Yes, the auction, the gala, and the brunch. I’ll be there." I try to keep the flat tone out of my voice but I know he can tell I'm not excited.
"Tell you what kid, I really appreciate it. What if I fly down there and check out this place you've been living in? We could do some fishing and talk about plans for the events."
"Why do I have to know the plans? Don’t I just have to show up?"
"Well, it might require a bit more than that. I will fly down in a few days, and we can talk about it."
"I didn’t sign up to MC this thing or get auctioned off at some beefcake auction or anything. All I said is that I would show up with a date and schmooze with the boosters."
"I appreciate it, kid, but we still need to talk details. See you soon."
The phone clicks and I take a look at the screen. I have a feeling that there is more to this than showing up and talkingwith old rich people. Coach has something up his sleeve, and I don’t think I like it.
I punch another number into my phone. If Coach is coming here to try to get me to do other things for this charity event, I need to warn my date. If possible, I want her to come to lunch with us. She should be able to distract Coach with her good looks and intelligence so that he won't ask me to do anything else.
"Hey stranger, did the committee decide to hold this thing on the moon, and you're calling me to tell me to get my space suit ready?"
I cough as the beer I'm drinking goes down my windpipe.
"Mason, are you alright? I wasn't trying to kill you with my bad joke."
"Yes, I'm fine." I cough hard and set the beer down. It isn't safe, apparently, for me to drink while I talk to Em. I didn’t realize she had such a dry sense of humor.
"Not on the moon. My coach has decided to fly over and talk to me about more details. He wants to have lunch sometime this week. Is there any way you can come and play buffer?"
Emily snorts. "I thought you idolized this guy. He is the whole reason why you’re doing the charity event, isn't he?
"Yes, that’s what I'm worried about. If he is going to try and rope me into something else. I have no willpower and will need you to distract him for me."
She laughs, and I feel the sound all the way to my toes. Has she always laughed like that? How had I never noticed?
"You want the tiny bookstore owner to keep the big bad football coach away from you? I guess if you really need my protection, I can leave the store with Leah for a while."
"Em, you are a lifesaver. I know you are already doing a lot for me, and I want you to know that I really appreciate it."
