“It was a business decision,” I insist.
“Maybe,” Jase says with a shrug, “but I think that he did it for you.” We both look in the direction of the team. “Watts isn’t going to let this break go on much longer. Care to share any more or have I learned enough?”
I sigh. “I have no idea what is happening. He seeks me out and I give into him. But you can’t tell anyone. No one on the team knows.” I think for a moment and then add, “I’m sure that Dex knows. But aside from that I haven’t shared this with anyone.”
Jase nods. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. One more favor to ask, though.”
“What’s that?” he asks.
“This topic isn’t fair game between you and me, okay? And please don’t bring it up in front of everyone. This isn’t bar conversation,” I plead with him.
“Of course. I get it. But promise me something.”
“Sure.”
“If you need to talk or if you feel like you get in over your head, talk to me,” he says, placing a gentle hand on my arm.
“I will. Thanks.”
“Of course, what are coaches for?” he says with a smile.
I laugh. “I don’t think this.”
“Hendrix! Come on, time to run!” Coach Watts calls from the team benches.
“Of course it is,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“Ha, consider it your penance for sleeping with August,” Jase jokes.
“That’s not fair and you know that,” I say, shooting him a warning glance.
“You’re right, it’s not. Sorry,” Jase says with a shrug. “Now go run your laps so we can all get out of here.”
“Sir, yes, sir,” I say, mock saluting him before hauling ass over to the team so we can begin running our ladders. Hitting the line marks and running back to the end line, over and over until we reach the end of the field. It is an exhausting exercise that I normally loathe, but not today, I am happy to have an outlet for the weight of all my secrets, which are not buried as deeply as I thought they were.
“I seriously hate that drill. Why does he make us do that on such a hot day?” Mac whines as we make our way out of the smoothie place at the beach. We’re all freshly showered and starving after such a rough ending to practice.
“I have no idea. But why do I have to participate? I don’t even run the field. I stand in the net,” I add.
“Running isn’t that bad, and conditioning is good for us,” Cassie chimes in.
“Of course you would say that,” Amelia says, laughing. “You run for fun.”
“I do, but so does Jase,” she reminds us, grinning.
“Uh-huh, I still think he did that so he could meet you,” Mac teases her.
I shake my head, “No, that’s not why and we all know that.”
I don’t know why I feel the urge to defend my coach. I’m sure that Cassie would have, but I beat her to it.
“Either way, it sucks,” Mac says, rolling her neck.
I suck on the straw of my smoothie and follow my friends down the offshoot of the boardwalk that leads to the water. This is the great thing about living in Tampa. One minute I can be in the city area by the stadium, and a short, thirty-ish minute drive later, we’re along the water.
“Sure does,” I say.
