Page 14

CHAPTER 14

Coach Lucy

KELLEN

Wednesday, October 2

S occer practice is in full swing when I approach Bri on the side of the field. Ava and her nine teammates are running around chasing a soccer ball like a swarm of bees—maybe scrimmaging?—and absolutely tripping all over each other. I’m not sure they even realize there are two distinct teams.

I’ve been smiling all day thinking of the meeting with Claire yesterday. How were we supposed to know she had an attack Chihuahua loose in her office?

“Hey,” I say to Bri, who’s watching the kids with her arms crossed loosely.

“I have so many opinions on this situation,” she says without looking my way or including a greeting.

“Yeah? You met Lucy?”

“Sure did. I’m just confused as to why she would volunteer to step in as coach for a bunch of five-year-old kids she doesn’t know.” She shakes her head. “They are cute but have literally no idea how to play soccer.”

“Because she’s a nice person? She misses coaching kids, like she did back in D.C., remember?” I watch Lucy as she gently positions children in the correct spots on the field, her curls secured in a ponytail. “She needs something to do to keep her mind off her cheating ex and overbearing father?”

Bri turns to stare at me.

Lucy squats down next to Ava and says something that makes my daughter laugh, then Lucy points to one of the other players. Ava nods and appears to be paying attention.

“She’s really good with them. With Ava.” I gesture to the field and Bri turns back to watch Lucy.

“Yeah, she is.”

“I know we don’t usually invite people to hang out with our kid like this.”

“True.”

“But she’s Atticus’s sister. She’s been background checked recently. And she even provided a reference to the elementary school where she coached last.” The head of recreation at Ava’s school had called Lucy’s last team, and they did nothing but rave about her.

“You already convinced me.” Bri huffs out a chuckle. “And you need to do whatever you have to do to convince Paul Harrison you’re not interested in his wife. Like maybe never look at that woman again.”

I groan. I agree, but it’s easier said than done.

On Sunday, I stopped by Bri’s house and told her all about the fake dating plan. She was surprisingly chill about everything, mostly because she’s just as worried about me getting traded as I am. It affects all of us.

Lucy blows a whistle and tells the kids to take a water break. Ava sprints in our direction.

“Daddy! You’re here!”

I squat down and give her a giant hug.

“I needed to make sure your first practice with Coach Lucy is going okay.”

“It’s going amazing! She showed us pictures of her dog. His name is Bear now!” Ava cracks up.

“Drink some water, girly.” Bri hands Ava her water bottle.

“Glad you’re having fun.”

“SO much fun. Coach Lucy is way better than Bella’s dad.” Ava loudly whispers this last part. “Bye!”

I chuckle as Ava turns and sprints back across the field, jumping onto Lucy’s back. I cringe, but Lucy easily grabs her legs and spins around in a circle, laughing.

“I’m not sure she could be more of a hit with our daughter, actually.” Bri raises her eyebrows and watches the other kids attach themselves to Lucy’s legs. Lucy tries to walk and then falls to the ground dramatically, giggling with the girls as they pile on her.

Thirty minutes later, the practice is over and there’s a line of parents talking to Lucy, thanking her for taking over.

Bri leaves with Ava, but I wait my turn.

“Wow,” I say when the last mom heads to the parking lot with her daughter. “That was impressive.”

Lucy smiles widely. Her cheeks are flushed, and she lets out a breathless laugh.

“That was a lot of fun. I didn’t realize quite how much I’d miss coaching when I left D.C.”

There are so many curls that have escaped her ponytail, and I want to push them back from her face.

“You have a knack for it.”

Lucy’s an adorable coach, wearing a team t-shirt declaring the Kindergarten Snowballs—it’s a little snug, which I don’t mind—paired with black athletic shorts. Plus she threw on shin guards and soccer socks. She looks legit.

“With little kids, yes. I’m not sure I’d want to coach older kids. Definitely not adults.”

“Well, thank you, everyone is grateful.”

“No worries. Really.”

A brief silence falls between us as we stare at each other. The last car pulls out of the parking lot.

“Ava is so sweet.”

“Clearly she loves you. Having a cute dog is definitely in your favor.”

“I probably should’ve brought him to butter the kids up, but knowing Bear, he’d cause chaos. Probably by running around looking for Chihuahuas to fight.”

I laugh. “That was deeply entertaining yesterday.”

“I guess you could call it that.” But she’s smiling too.

“Ready for tomorrow morning?”

“Yes.” She nods. “See you in the square at seven forty-five, right?”

“Then we’ll head to Deep Roots Cafe.”

Now that’s when I’ll get to kiss her.

“Looking forward to it.” Lucy laughs with what might be a tinge of nerves.

“Me too. Let me help you clean up.” I glance around at the balls and cones.

When we’re done, I walk Lucy to her car and make sure she pulls away safely from the parking lot.

I drive home with a giant smile on my face.