“Hey, what do you need me to do? I need to hurry. I’ve got some stuff to get done at the ranch tonight.” Holden’s hands were stuffed in his hoodie pocket and he was hunched, almost like he was trying to make himself invisible. But to who?
“Balls need to be put in the closet and we’ve got to get the net down, but the girls can do that.”
“Ok. Cool.” His shoulders dropped a little, relaxed. “I’ll grab the ball cart on my way out. See you tomorrow at practice.”
“No, I need you to hang out for a few minutes.” I leaned closer and hissed, “Boyfriend duties start now. My sisters are demanding we FaceTime.”
He squeezed his eyes shut and groaned. “Fine. I’ll meet you out by my car.” This man wanted out of this gym for some reason.
“My truck. Your car’s back seat isn’t big enough.”
He cocked both eyebrows. “Backseat stuff, huh?”
I smacked him in the middle of his chest. “Dream on, Lady Killer.”
He blew out his breath. “Aren’t they going to freak when they find out my last name?”
I snorted. “Trust me. They won’t care.”
But he didn’t respond. He hunched his shoulders and turned for the doors with the speed and shiftiness of someone walking from a courtroom to get into a white van where they’d be immediately hidden in the witness protection program. What was with him tonight?
Once every girl was claimed and the crowd was finally gone, I walked to the door, flicked off the lights, and steppedoutside into the cool night air.
“Principal Thornbury?”
My head snapped around to the left. “Oh, hey, Alyssa.” It was our very talented varsity setter. And her mother, maybe. But the woman to her right looked about my age. Way too young to have a seventeen-year-old daughter.
“Hey, my aunt, Amber, wanted to meet you.” She pointed to the pretty brunette.
I reached my hand out. “It’s so nice to meet you. Christy Thornbury.”
She shook it double-handed and laughed. “It’s my pleasure. Amber Taylor.” Her laugh was high-pitched and tinkling, like soothing wind chimes. “Hey, so, we were talking and we just think it’s a travesty that the football teams have a five-course meal catered by parents before every game and our Lady Stallions have to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that have been smashed in their backpacks all day.”
I nodded, chagrined. “Yeah. We’re working on getting a bus driver so we can at least take them to McDonald’s before games. It’s just been kind of crazy with Byrd out for the season. I didn’t realize when I was hired as principal that I’d end up coaching volleyball.”
She waved away the idea with a kind smile. “Oh, don’t you worry about a thing. Jilly and I will handle it.”
“Shanaya’s mom,” Alyssa offered. “They’re besties.”
I nodded. “Handle it?” My phone buzzed in the pocket of my Stallions jacket. Probably Holden telling me to hurry it up.
Amber beamed, her cheekbones balling into perfect apples. I wondered how she got them to pop like that. Illuminator? Contour? Whatever it was, she knew how to place it just right. “We’re going to make a meal schedule and the parents can take turns signing up. We can probably get some local businesses to sponsor the team as well. Maybe Lucy’s would cater a dinner or two.”
I shook my head, happily surprised. “That would be amazing. So, I can hand those reins over to you?”
“Absolutely. Jilly and I gotchu.” Her smile was bright.
Not gonna lie, it had been lonely moving to a place where the only person I knew was my ex. But people like Amber, and some of the teachers and staff, made me think I might gain some friends while I was here.
Relief bloomed in the center of my chest. I stepped up and pulled her into a hug. “That’s the best news I’ve had all day. Thank you so much.”
She patted me lightly with a tiny, “Aww, aren’t you lovely?”
I stepped back. Alyssa was beaming, so proud of her aunt.
My phone buzzed again. “Well, I need to get going. The next home game is?—”
“Tuesday.” Amber nodded. “Like I said. Don’t you worry about a thing. It’s handled.”
