The two girls, both seniors, headed toward me with wide smiles.
“I’m sure you never saw this coming,” I teased as I handed out the captain’s bands.
They took them with grateful smiles and headed back to their line. “The teams are not set in stone. The girls you see on the JV will be moved up to play on varsity if they’re better. Varsity as of right now consists of…”
I read off the names, and they all split into the two teams.
When I was done I said, “Work hard, and you keep your spot. Fail, don’t show up to practice, or screw off instead of trying hard? Then you’re getting your spot taken. I don’t care if you’re a senior. I don’t care if you’re older than the girl ready to take your spot. If you’re the better player, you’ll play. End of story.”
They all listened.
Everyone there but one knew how I operated.
And they respected it.
I had a great group of girls this year and it was going to be great.
I was super happy to see when we divided up that the team captains took Bossy under their wing and brought her into the fold.
She would not be an outsider on my team.
None of them would.
I didn’t condone that, and I certainly wouldn’t stand for it with any of my players.
“Now,” I called out after the latest drill finished. “We’re going to split off into two teams, mix of varsity and JV, and we’re going to scrimmage for the last half of practice. Game’s tomorrow. Play the positions you want to play in the game. Sub out every five minutes. Mia and Tamara, pick your teams.”
Unsurprisingly, Bossy wasn’t the last chosen. She’d shown off her skills to the group, and it was obvious that if UIL had allowed it, she’d be on varsity.
It was as they split off into their teams and were about ten minutes in that he showed.
“Who. Is. That?”
Weaver arrived along with several other parents to watch the last bit of practice, and he grinned upon seeing me.
“Coach E,” Tamara said, sweat dripping off her face on the sideline. “Is that man here for you? He is hot!”
“That’s my dad,” Bossy groaned. “Please, for the love of all that’s holy. I can’t think of him that way.”
“I heard that she was dating a player’s dad,” Tamara continued with a little giggle in her voice. “But I didn’t know he was your dad. Sorry, girl, but your dad has it going on.”
Tamara downright laughed when Bossy gagged.
Practice ended with a 2-2 tie, and everyone dispersed into the locker room, even Bossy.
Which left me with a handsome devil of a man coming toward me and wrapping me up in his arms.
“Hey.” I smiled. “Come to see how she was doing?”
“Came to see how you were both doing.” He kissed my forehead. “How are your ribs?”
“Okay,” I admitted. “A little sore from being up all day, but overall I feel pretty good. I’m tired, though. I forgot how long my day was during soccer season. I seem to forget every year, though.”
“Ready for the game tomorrow?” he asked.
“More than.” I smoothed my hands up the length of his chest, pausing on his muscular pectorals and squeezing lightly. “This year’s going to be another good one. The JV is going to do splendidly.”
“Because of Bossy?” he asked quietly.
