“I understand. But you are still a student even though you are in grad school. It’s not…”
“Smart,” she offered.
“Appropriate,” I added.
She held my eyes for a moment, an emotion flashing across them, brief and damning.
Like she was just as disappointed as I was. “Agreed.”
The uncomfortable silence stretched before Ms. Goldridge, the neighborhood den mother, drove by, honking her horn before she sent us a wave.
Trinity shifted on her feet. “I assume you need to cancel for Saturday.”
Fuck, I didn’t want to. But it wasn’t an option. Not anymore.
She was off-limits.
“I think it’s best if we move forward in a professional manner,” I said the words, but my body revolted at the suggestion.
She worked her lips between her teeth, only a slight nod to her head in acknowledgment. “I better get inside.”
“Yeah,” I rasped. “Of course.”
She hiked her bag on her shoulder, clearly ready to get the fuck away from me. The easy banter we shared in the middle of a busy grocery store was long gone at this point.
“I just wanted to clear the air. And if you need anything, I’m just over there.”
Her eyes drifted to my house as I motioned behind me.
She dipped her chin again. “Night, Coach.”
As she walked away, an unfamiliar feeling settled in my chest. The nameCoachwas something I took pride in. A name earned through hard work, dedication, and loyalty. But coming from her, it sounded more like a scarlet letter. An ugly reminder. I already knew as I crossed the street back to my house… Trinity Maxwell was going to be a problem.
“You look like shit.”
Wesley flipped me off before he dropped down in the chair across from my desk.
He looked hungover. But it wasn’t from alcohol. It was from two little girls who were his pride and joy but simultaneously had him hanging by a thread.
“Hazel woke me up at two this morning by projectile vomiting all over my bedroom floor.” He leaned his head back before placing his hat over his eyes.
“Stomach bug?” I asked.
“Possibly. But she was all smiles this morning after I spent two hours scrubbing chunks of chicken nuggets from the carpet. So I’m assuming she just overate.”
“How many did she eat?”
“Fuck if I know.” He slid his hat back on his head. “Kyndall was trying to show me her gymnastics routine and my attention was demanded, and you know Hazel is sneaky.”
“Is Lana still working? With the girls?” I closed my playbook and leaned back in my chair. “She’s been nannying for what? A year now?”
“Yeah. She’s fine. I put up with her shit because she’s one of Mom’s best friends and I’m just trying to keep my head above water.”
“So she’s stopped bringing over herfriends?” I asked with hesitancy.
Last month, Wesley came home from work to find Lana in his hot tub with a malefriend.In a very compromising position. Thank God the girls were asleep, but I mean,What the fuck?
“Yes. I made it clear. There is only room for one dick in my house and it’s mine.” He rights his hat before he meets my eyes. “I had the hot tub hauled off the next day.”
