“What do you want me to say, Jessie?” I reply, sitting back in my chair and crossing my arms.
He doesn’t react to my use of his first name. In fact, he doesn’t say anything at all.
I study him closely for a few seconds, trying to work out what’s going through his mind.
In the end, I do what I’ve always done best and just say it because I wasn’t scared a few weeks back and I’m still not scared to admit it today. “I’m attracted to Drew.”
Pushing his chair back, he stands suddenly, hands planted on the desk between us. “I fuckingknewit, Will!”
I gaze up at him, tongue swiping across my bottom lip. He’s mad, and I don’t blame him. From his perspective, all I want from his daughter is a fun night between the sheets.
I want everything with her.
“Back off, right now,” he bites at me.
“Why?” I counter. “Tell me why.”
He scoffs like it’s obvious. “Because you’ll fuck up her career, is why!” He starts pacing the room, sliding a hand down the side of his face. “She deserves …” He trails off and stops pacing, head falling between his shoulders, just like my dad.
“She deserves better than me?” I quietly finish for him.
He doesn’t move his head when his eyes find mine. “You know I love you, Will. From the day you were born to the moment you walked through this door, I’ve cared for you and your career.”
“But I’m still not good enough for your daughter?” I press. “Someone like me, with a reputation for fucking women around, I could never be good enough for an amazing woman like Drew.”
He looks regretful. “My daughter has the right to date who she wants, as do you. Look at everything Mia and I fought through to be together.” His hands slide into his pockets as he exhales. “But pursuing Drew when you know that it could fuck up her career is where I struggle to support whatever it is you both have going on. It’s where the respect I have for you is tested to its limits.”
Attention everywhere but on my face, he retakes his seat in front of me.
“Has … anything happened between you both?” He’s almost wincing as he asks the question, and now I’m truly torn on how to respond.
“Maybe that’s something you should be asking your daughter.”
“Jesus fucking Christ!” he blows out, inner wrist banging against his temple. “How could you both be so goddamn stupid?!”
“I never said that?—”
“You don’t need to say any more, Will!” he lashes out, panic laced through his voice. “Does anyone else know?”
I shake my head because I’m not about to pull Mason into this. “No.”
Coach blows out a relieved exhale. “Well, that’s something at least.”
“I know you probably don’t want to hear this right now, but?—”
“I don’t want to hear another word leave your lips for the foreseeable future,” he snaps at me again.
“Fucking tough,” I bite back, pushing back my own chair and standing this time.
When his jaw pops open, I know I finally have his full attention. At least for a few minutes.
“I’m not who you think I am, Jessie,” I say, my tone and body language much calmer now. “And I’m not going to stop seeing your daughter.”
He sneers at me, “Your dad would be really fucking disappointed in your lack of professionalism.”
I crack my neck to one side, thinking over Dad’s advice. “I’m not sure I agree with you.”
He snorts a sarcastic laugh. “If this getting out wouldn’t leave Drew jobless, then I’d bench you right now.”
