Page 2 of Dirty Coach To Go
“You’re not still hung up on the same guy from high school, are you?”
I pretend shock although of course I am, and of course she can tell. I hate lying to her, so instead, I’ve always chosen another route when it comes to my secret crush: complete silence.
I turn away from Nic’s interrogating stare, but she grabs my shoulders and looks deep into my brown eyes. “You are! Seriously Tessa, you liked him during high school and wouldn’t even tell me his name! Whoisthis guy that you can’t leave behind?”
I can’t tell my gal pal the name of the man who has left me completely lovestruck because if she knew, she’d freak out.Everyonein Sunnyside would. My feelings for him shouldn’t exist, but they do, and even being away hasn’t made them dissipate. If anything, his absence in my life has only made my heart grow fonder.
It sucks not being able to share the truth with Nicole, but she’d probably think I’m foolish. She would think my affection for him is just a silly crush, but it’s far more than that. I cherish our relationship, even though it’s not a romantic one. In fact, if we ever did become romantically involved, we’d be the talk of our small town. I mean, what kind of softball coach dates his former student? I’m eighteen, and it’s not like I’m at Sunnyside anymore, but our close-knit neighborhood would be in an uproar if that kind of a scandal broke out.
After all, it’s wrong to fantasize about a relationship with Coach Mason, but the way he used to look into my eyes as he showered me with words of encouragement made my heart skip several beats. He always knew exactly what to say when I was feeling down. His smile alone brightened my day. I would fix myself up, brushing my soft curls behind my ear every time I passed him in the hallway, and he would flash that charming grin, sending butterflies fluttering throughout my stomach.
The softball team was made up of over twenty girls, nineteen of whom were far more athletic than I was. But Coach always made me feel important, like I was his number one player. There were times when I thought his feelings ran deeper for me than those of a mentor uplifting his outfielder. Sometimes I’d catch him looking at me as if there was something he wanted to say, like he was fighting back his own feelings as well.
But who am I kidding? He was the athletic director at my high school. The only feelings he had for me were appropriate ones, and nothing more. But still, a girl can dream.
“He’s no one,” I mumble.
“I’m going to find out who this guy is one day, Tessa. Just you wait and see,” Nic says with a sly smirk on her face. I hope she never does; I hopeno oneever does.
The glass door swings open again, but this time in comes a familiar face. It’s Bobby Frazier. He’s tall and brawny with a freckles and a leer. I’ve never thought he was anything, but Nicole pinches me in excitement. She thinks Bobby is one of the hottest guys at Sunnyside. Heishandsome, don’t get me wrong, but he’s completely not my type. He’s just another cocky teenage boy with his head stuck up his ass.
“Hey ladies,” he cackles as he approaches the counter.
“Hi, Bobby!” Nicole sings with far more enthusiasm in her voice than she’s had with any other customer all morning. “Long time no see.”
“Yeah, it’s been awhile. How have you been, Tessa?” he asks as he looks me up and down, making me feel like a juicy steak on a plate. He never looked at me like this when we were in school together. I’m completely caught off guard by the way he’s ogling me right now, but honestly, I’m a little turned off too.
“Pretty great. How about you?” I ask politely.
“I’m good. Freshman year kicked my ass, but hey, I survived,” he says.
“Yeah? What school did you go to? I remember a lot of the top schools wanted you to play football for them,” Nicole interjects.
“I ended up choosing Bowman University. Our team is number two in the country. I’m so good that I’ll probably go pro in another year,” he brags while managing to keep his eyes on me. The way he’s gloating right now, you’d think he was staring at himself in a mirror and falling deeply in love with his own reflection. “Where did you girls end up going?”
Nicole’s face turns slightly crimson. “I’m at Evergreen right now,” she admits.
“Oh, cool,” he says, brushing her off. His attitude annoys me mightily. “How about you, Tessa?”
“I’m at Trinity,” I say as politely as I can to someone who basically just insulted my BFF.
“Cool. Your football team is D2, the division below mine.” He’s so full of himself, it’s sickening. I was never impressed by jocks. A person’s character speaks more to me than his ability to throw a pig-skinned ball.
“Do you want to order something?” I ask, still trying to be as courteous as possible. After all, he is a paying customer, and I am on the job. Regardless of how self-absorbed I think Bobby is, I still have to be professional.
“Yeah. Let me get a plain bagel toasted with blueberry cream cheese,” he orders.
“Good choice,” I say with a half-smile.
“I’ll get it!” Nicole chirps brightly. She scurries over to the storage container.
“So, Tessa,” Bobby says with a cunning grin. “Got any plans tonight?”
“Um…” Before I can get another word out, Nicole intervenes.
“Nope, she’s totally free tonight,” she says.
“Great.” He leans over the counter. “How about I take you out tonight? I can meet you at Barroom Burger at eight.” He’s so close I can see every pore on his face, not to mention the many pimples that travel from his forehead down to his neck. I’d rather be anywhere in the world tonight other than on a date with Bobby Frazier. I glance at Nicole. Her face is glowing as if she’s the one who was just asked out for burgers and fries. Her eyes are pleading with me to say yes, and although every bone in my body is screaming no, I agree.