Page 48

CHAPTER 48

Tristan

I whistle as I head toward Coach Jensen’s office, nodding at Assistant Coach Nelson before he steps into the small office with a shared copier and printer. A few seconds later, he curses, then grumbles, “these damn machines.” He doesn’t know it yet, but I have a solution to his problem.

Reaching Coach’s door, I draw to a stop as loud, angry voices filter outside. I look at the nameplate beneath the door number when I hear a woman’s voice floating out, her tone furious. “Your athlete needs to put in the work, Coach Jensen. I’m not coddling a student who refuses to make any effort.”

My feet are rooted to the floor as a brunette woman jumps to her feet, her hands clenched into fists at her side. My eyes rake over long, chocolate brown hair, a black suit jacket, a pencil skirt, and black heels. Even with her spine snapped straight, Coach Jensen towers above her.

Coach is also on his feet, giving her his intimidating stare, looking at her from beneath lowered brows. I’ve seen that side of him often during games and practices and even been a victim a few times. No one on the team stands tall beneath his withering gaze and rage. Yet, this slim, firecracker of a woman stands her ground.

A flash of surprise flits across his face before his features harden again. “He is putting in the work. If it were a matter of sheer laziness, I wouldn’t be defending Jasper.” His jaw muscles work as he grits out, “He knows I don’t tolerate laziness. I stress the importance of academics to my players. He left your office because he was frustrated and didn’t believe you were helping him.”

Jasper Ryan. He’s the player I hope Coach replaces Josh with, even though he hasn’t had much game time.

When Josh was playing shitty and clearly distracted during the last game, I practically begged Coach Jensen to bench him and let Jasper play instead. He refused but wouldn’t tell me why.

But now I know. The petite firecracker standing in Coach’s office, aggravating the shit out of him, is the reason. She must be the professor Jasper was complaining about in the weight room.

Coach runs a hand through his dark hair, clearly irritated. “Look, Professor Kennedy. Jasper has some stuff going on at home that’s affecting him. I’m not at liberty to discuss his problems, but I feel it necessary to make you aware that outside factors influence his behavior. Despite his personal struggles, he’s working hard in his other classes, turning things around. But he’s complained to me that your class material is too difficult for an introductory?—”

“Call me Morgan. And that sounds like Jasper’s problem, not mine. My course material is not too difficult,” she says through gritted teeth. “Yes, it’s an introductory sociology class, but I do not find the material to be beyond the comprehension of a freshman, especially if you’re willing to work.”

Coach blows out a frustrated breath, his hands balling into fists as he struggles to contain his temper. He’s so engrossed in their argument that he’s not paying attention to my presence in his doorway. I’m afraid to move and draw his attention, knowing he’ll turn his wrath on me, and any chance I have of trying to convince him to give Jordyn a chance will be shot to hell.

“Jasper is willing to work,” Coach shouts, losing his cool. “What the hell do you think he’s been doing? He has a tutor, he’s doing all the assignments, he’s studying daily for your class.” Coach glares at her, folding his arms over his chest. He’s our biggest defender when we’re doing all the right things. When we aren’t, he ruthlessly stays on our ass until we get ourselves in line.

Running a hand through his hair, he grits, “The problem lies with you , not him. I understand you are a new professor at Weston Heights and trying to secure your future here. But the material?—”

“ How dare you ?” Morgan shouts back, her heels clicking as she stomps closer to Coach. I watch in wide-eyed horror as his face turns a deep shade of red. She plants her feet and stares him down, anger radiating from every pore. “You’re a hockey coach, not a professor, so your opinion of my teaching is irrelevant.”

Oh shit. Coach is gonna explode.

“The hell it is,” he roars back. “I’ve been working at this university for fifteen years and know more about the inner workings than you do. WHU prides itself on the reputation of its hockey team, which recruits some of the top players and brings in funding. Overloading freshmen athletes with overly difficult material will not secure your future here. In fact, you’re likely to end up a one-year professor who isn’t invited back for a second year.”

She gasps, shaking her head. “I’m glad you think you’re the expert on education and this university, Coach Jensen . Maybe you should try teaching instead.” Her voice drips with sarcasm, and I cringe, knowing her tone won’t sit well with him.

His withering glare causes me to shrink back. I don’t know how the hell she’s standing there, her back straight, taking him on like a tiny warrior. He’s seething at her, chest heaving beneath his shirt.

Lowering her voice, she defiantly says, “I’m not dumbing down the material I teach for a hockey player.”

“And there it is—the real reason you won’t make concessions. You don’t like jocks.”

Her mouth drops open. “I’ll have you know I was married to a jock. He was extremely intelligent and didn’t have his coach begging his faculty to dumb down the material.”

Coach snorts. “And what happened? Did he leave you because of your holier-than-thou attitude?”

She gasps, her head snapping back like he slapped her. “How dare you?” Her entire body vibrates with anger as she stalks closer to him. “That’s not what happened, you arrogant prick. I don’t owe you an explanation. It’s my personal life and none of your business.”

“You brought it up.” Coach shrugs his shoulders, in control again now that he’s ruffled her feathers. “Since we’re at an impasse, I have an idea. Why don’t I schedule a meeting with your department chair? Let him review your syllabus, and we will state our case, then see what he thinks.”

She huffs out a breath, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine. If he finds the material too difficult, and I highly doubt he will, I’ll be willing to change it. Otherwise, it will remain the same and be Jasper’s problem. And yours. ” She turns slightly, an arrogant smile on her profile.

Coach smirks at her, rocking on his heels. “You seem confident, Professor Kennedy. I can’t wait until you have to ‘dumb down’ your syllabus and expectations. By the way, how are the other students doing? ”

Her hands shake as she seethes. “We’ll discuss this in Dr. Jacob’s office.” She whirls around, noticing me for the first time. Her brows furrow as her hazel eyes lock on me. “Sorry if I delayed your meeting with him. Hopefully, he doesn’t waste your time like he did mine.” She shoots Coach a scathing look over her shoulder before slipping past me, her heels echoing as she stomps down the hallway.

I slowly turn to Coach, swallowing hard. I feel bad for Jasper, but I’m also concerned about Coach’s mood. “Wow. That was… surprising.”

Coach shakes his head, running a hand through his dark brown messy hair. “Sorry you had to hear that. I didn’t mean to allow her to delay our meeting.” He takes a few breaths in and out, pacing behind his desk. The young, attractive professor clearly rattled him.

Leaning forward, I examine him more closely. The tension between them wasn’t strictly professional. It was filled with sexual tension that even I could feel in the brief time they argued.

Blowing out a breath, he nods toward his chair. He gives me a distracted smile and plops into the chair behind his desk. “Enough of that.” Waving a dismissive hand, he says, “What can I do for you?”

“I’d like to discuss hiring Jordyn to help you get organized.”

He nods. “I’m listening.”

I launch into the spiel I rehearsed for the past twelve hours, reviewing all her positive traits and organizational skills. When I pause to take a breath, a wide smile is on Coach’s face as he leans back in his chair. “You really love this girl, don’t you?”

Blinking a few times, I open my mouth and then close it, unsure what to say. I’m fucking head over heels in love with her, but I fear telling him that may ruin her chance of working for him.

“It’s okay, Tristan. I don’t need you to answer. I can tell you are.” He steeples his fingers beneath his chin, analyzing me. “She sounds incredible. And the way you praised her skills, I’m almost convinced I should offer her the job right now. However, I’d like to meet her first.” He holds up his hand when I open my mouth. “Just to have a conversation with her. If I hire her but don’t ‘interview’ her, people will go nuts around here.”

I blow out a breath, my muscles still tense. “Does she stand a chance? I mean, I know you haven’t talked to her, but?—”

“Tristan, please, stop stressing. The way you sang her praises… Well, she must be amazing for you to go to these lengths. I’ve never seen you do that for anyone except Alex when I nearly benched him for his temper. I will ‘interview’ Jordyn only as a formality so no one accuses me of being unfair.” He gives me a wink, and I relax. “Give me her phone number, and I’ll call her now and schedule a meeting.”

I rattle off her number, hope filling my chest as he grabs his phone and calls her. From the brief conversation between them and the resulting look on his face, I feel confident he’ll be impressed with her.

When he hangs up, he says, “I’ll be meeting with your girlfriend. Anything else I can do for you?”

My smile is wide. “Nope. I’m good.” Getting to my feet, I give him a smile before dashing out of his office, feeling hopeful.