“Thank you,” I say to the girl behind the counter when she hands me my order. I even offer her a smile. Since she returns it, I think that maybe at least she knows I’m polite.
Taking a sip of my Pink Ruffle Fairy drink, I step back outside. And then come face to face with five people sitting at the table directly in my path. Zarek, Declan, Quin, and Alka are sitting with Hansley. He’s smiling and my stomach flips.
Wow.
I wince internally. Why is ‘wow’ the first word that comes to mind every time I see this man? How is his smile so perfect? Why does it light up his face? Why does my enemy have to be one of the most gorgeous people I’ve ever seen?
Frustrating. Unfair.
And the fact he’s made friends with everyone who dislikes me is maddening. Seeing Zarek and Declan together makes my blood hot with indignation. How can Declan have chosen thatnerdover me?! He has a very boring sense of fashion, too. The only thing he has going for him is the variety of pearls he wears. They’re awfully pretty.
But for real. Ugh!
Taking a breath and straightening my shoulders, I head in their direction. It’s the most direct route to the football field. My sunglasses conceal my eyes, so I know as long as I keep looking forward, they won’t know that I’m staring at Hansley.
His eyes flicker to me when he notices I’m walking toward them. Not directly, but definitely in their vicinity. It’s not at all intentional when the sashay in my hips becomes a little more pronounced.
The chatter at their table quiets as all five of them watch me as I walk by. I pretend Hansley turns so he can watch my ass while I walk away.
I’m early when I get to the field, but I feel better knowing that they were there watching me. In fact, I feel a little smug about it as I sit on the bench in my padded seat.
The gear is already outside. Thank fuck my work-study positions are all filled now, so I don’t have to worry about who’sgoing to do the little things. Like set up for practice. That’s just annoying.
Sitting in my chair, I eat my sandwich and appreciate that I’m in a much better mood than I have been in a while. Being checked out does that to a person. By the time I’m finished eating and am sipping on my drink, my team begins filing onto the field, following my coaches.
I don’t get up as they approach. In the front are my three favorites—Peyton, Eli, and Winston. I think Winston will be recruited this year. Sadly, because I enjoy having him on my team.
When everyone is present and accounted for, Norman gives me a nod.
Setting down my drink, I get to my feet. “We need to get to the championships this year,” I tell them. “We’re going to work extra hard to make sure you’re at your peak. You will eat, sleep, and breathe football this year. It’s vitally important.”
Several of my coaches are frowning at me, but my team nods. There are even several smiles.
“Before we get to work, we need to talk about fundraising. Due to nothing we’ve done, we’ve lost a great deal of the budget we typically have, and I’ve been left scrambling as I try to find a way to fill in the gap. I had some ideas, but… they didn’t pan out.”
Norman told me it’s bad form to accuse another coach of stealing my ideas. He refuses to let me say anything along those lines.
“So we’re going for some tried-and-true ideas, but maybe with a twist. I’d like to hold a bake sale, start up some midday dog walking, and a car wash. Now, I know what you’re thinking. These are lame, Coach. I agree. That’s why we’re going to spice them up! So… you know how the cheer squad is always doingthings in their little skirts or bikinis?” I ask, grinning. “I don’t see why we can’t do the same.”
“You want us in bikinis?” Collin asks.
“No,” Norman answers before I have a chance to. “You can wear whatever you like—including any form of bathing suit. One piece, trunks, Speedos, bikinis. All are welcome. However, if you’re uncomfortable wearing a bathing suit, that’s okay too. You can wear whatever you’re comfortable in.”
When I say I spent a great deal of time in my mirror teaching myself a neutral expression, I mean that. I had to memorize what my face feels like in neutral. Muscle memory and all that shit. I’m at least 73% confident that I pulled it off.
“Yes,” I agree, taking note of my voice. “As Norman said, you may wear what you’re comfortable in.” I’d really like to say that I encourage them to wear something sexy because, like it or not, sex sells. But I don’t. Norman really is a great voice of reason. “I have a work-study student who is getting these things together. You’re required to sign up for at least one of these events. If there are schedule conflicts, speak to me. Any questions?”
“Can I wear a thong bikini?” Peyton asks, giving me a wide grin. Snorts surround him.
“If you’d like,” I answer, smiling widely. “I think that would gather quite a bit of attention. That’s what we’re looking for—attention.”
“Definitely enjoy attention from some people,” he agrees.
Yep, I think he’s talking to me.
“Coach?”
Pulling my eyes from Peyton, I search out the voice. “Yes?”
