“It is. The thing is, we shared information. Lots of personal information. We talkeda lot. But apparently there were a few key things we left out that… maybe were overlooked. Or we thought we addressed them, but… And you know I didn’t even look at the roster until I opened it on the field yesterday.”
She snorts. “No kidding.”
I make a face. “I’m sorry. I trust you. I trust you a whole lot. I hope you know that. The only reason Idon’tcheck in much over the summer is because of how much I trust you. I’m hoping that you’ll be my successor one day. I’m hoping that, when Oz and I decide to start a family and I want to cut back some hours, you’ll co-coach with me. Mind you, I’m not sure that’s a thing, but it’s something I’ve thought about when I can’t sleep.”
Harper sighs. Now, her smile is definitely happy, but she’s touched too. “Thanks, Alka. It means a lot that I have your trust and confidence.”
“You do. Completely. Which is also why I’m sharing what I am about to with you.”
“The man you met at Kala turned out to be a student here.”
“Am I that predictable?”
She laughs. “I might not have guessed that’s what happened until now, but I haveneverseen you react to someone like you did to Roux Kipler.”
I sigh. “Yeah. I met Roux this summer. If it had been just a summer fling or we’d decided to part ways at the end of the summer, this would be different.”
“That’s not the case.”
I shake my head. “No. You know I date from time to time. Every man I’ve dated has beenmyboyfriend. Every breakup has beenminealone. They don’t get involved with Oscar. Not because it’s our boundary or something but because we’ve never felt the same way about someone. Roux is different. We’rebothdating him. He’sourboyfriend. There’s something very different about this relationship, and… I can’t let it end.”
“What’s your plan?”
“I’m going to ask that you take on more responsibilities. I’ll talk to the dean and see about increasing your pay. I’ll happily give up some of mine to supplement yours.”
Harper’s already shaking her head. “That’s not necessary.”
“That part isn’t a discussion for you.” She glares at me. “I need you to do all the decision making when it comes to who plays, when, and in what position. Anything that anyone might construe as me giving Roux preferable consideration.”
“Okay. That’s easy enough.”
“I also need you to keep me neutral. Don’t let me comment on his performance, positively or negatively, too often. But also, don’t let me ignore him completely. He needs to be just like everyone else on the team.”
“A little more difficult. You think you’re going to be able to do that?”
I huff and lean back in the chair. “I don’t have any idea. That’s why I need your help.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Also, I’ve been calling him Ruby for six weeks. I need you to make sure I call him Roux.”
“Right. I’m not sure how I’m going to prevent that, but maybe we can use negative association. How do you feel about wearing an elastic around your wrist? I’ll snap it every time you screw that up.”
I give her a wan look. She smirks, shrugging. “I’m open to another suggestion,” she says.
Completely ignoring that, I add, “And, this might be obvious, but can you also please keep this a secret? Like, don’t even tell your pillow at night. Don’t share it with your shadow.”
Harper grins. “Done.”
I rub my hands over my face. “Thanks.”
“I’m going to ask again. You think you’re going to be able to do this? Keep it a complete secret?” Harper asks.
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I’m hoping to keep it a secret long enough to make a backup plan in the eventuality that it’s discovered. Or until he graduates in two years. Whichever comes first.”
She chuckles. “I have your back, Alka.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that more than I can say.”
