Page 104 of Anything Goes

“I’m with Mama,” Keyon chimed in. “Fix it, so you can stop staring at her like a sad puppy while we’re at practice…it’s weird.”

“I wasn’t staring.”

“Oh, you were definitely staring.”

I rolled my eyes.

Clearly, I was caught, and my attempts to play it down weren’t working.

Damn, I sucked at this breakup shit.

33

Alauni

“Ladies, please don’t give me that pretty girl run on this relay,” I said as I stood in the middle of the little circle that the girls had formed as they prepared to stretch before their race.

Not only was the Langley Relays one of the biggest meets of the season, but it was also known for having the most scouts. Although the majority of my seniors had already committed to their colleges, I still had to look out for the few that would be graduating next year, which meant getting them the right amount of exposure.

“Relax, Coach. We got this,” Ashlynn said. “We’re going to run like our lives depend on it, and still be cute for the prom, tonight.”

“I hope so. I don’t want a repeat of last year.”

“Trust and believe, that’s not happening.”

I shook my head.

Just the thought of what I had to deal with this time last year, gave me a headache. For the second year in a row, the prom was scheduled on the same day as this track meet, and I had more than a few divas on my team. They could run their asses off, but that day, the majority of them ran like shit.

Since they had to be at the meet for most of the day, they’d gotten their hair done the night before. Trying to keep their hair intact, they refused to run at full speed during their race. Never had I been so damn furious. The events that we usually placed first in, we placed third. It was ridiculous and I made sure to let them have it at our next practice.

“I’m glad to hear that,” I said, feeling a little more at ease.

“Sure thing.” Ashlynn leaned forward to reach the tips of her shoes. “Oh, Coach, are you still chaperoning, tonight?”

“I'll be there,” I replied, somewhat aggravated that Denver had taken it upon himself to add me to the volunteer list.

“Good. You can’t miss out on seeing my dress.”

“I won’t. I’m sure it’s gorgeous.”

“It really is. I hope Keyon loves it.”

I could hear the giddiness in her voice, which was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. I always had a feeling that the two of them had a crush on each other. It was good to see them doing something like this together.

“I’m sure he will,” I replied. “But, let’s hold off on thinking about that. I need you to be focused on winning. I’ll be back. Have a good race, ladies.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

I made my way off of the field and towards my mother who was sitting in the bleachers sucking down a hot dog. “Is it good?” I asked.

“It sure is. You should get you one.”

“No, thanks. I can’t really eat when I’m out here.”

“Why?”

“I’m always too nervous.”