Page 14

Jack

“ E dward wants to join the team.” Zane stands with his hands on his hips, looking out at the boys on the field.

My brow furrows, and I glance at my brother. “He does?”

“Apparently, he’s been watching my old reels and reading about kicking techniques. Last night he told me he’d like to learn in case Rome can’t play.”

I take a beat to consider this. Zane wouldn’t suggest Edward for the team if he didn’t think he could do it, especially with Edward’s situation.

“It’s a lot of stress.” I study my brother’s face. “Will he be okay with that?”

Zane puts both hands in his back pockets, looking at Edward standing on the sidelines. “He taught himself to play pool, and he won the tournament. He taught himself to ride, and he’s one of our best horsemen. We don’t have a backup kicker, and I can work with him at home.”

“Okay, then.”

A hint of a smile crosses my brother’s lips and for the first time since I left Allie last night, I feel like I got something right.

Walking over to the cooler, I think of her standing in front of me in her bare feet in the moonlight.

I left the house needing to see her. I needed to tell her I was sorry for walking away after what George said. I didn’t expect the rush of feelings I had when she ran out to me in the darkness.

Her bright eyes were so blue. It was as if she were outlined in silver light. Her lips seemed fuller somehow, and when she said, I wish …

I realized I’d made a big mistake.

In the daylight with all the kids and their parents around us and my family watching and the boys and everything, I can put up a wall. I can control my emotions. I’m safe.

In the darkness, with only her and me, with her dressed in only a thin cotton shirt that allowed me to see the shape of her full breasts rising and falling with every pant…

The mouthwatering scent of her apple body wash or shampoo or whatever it was, taunted me like forbidden fruit. All the years alone, all the times I’ve wanted her, watched her, hit me hard.

Desire burned like fire in my chest. My dick was a rod in my jeans. I was so close to dragging her into my arms and kissing her.

I had to put her inside her house and close that door.

I wouldn’t let George Powell have a foothold. I wouldn’t let all the whispers of the parents, the accusations that I’ve only helped Austin to get to her be true.

Maybe she’s the reason I noticed him, but Austin can stand on his own, and I won’t create a scandal that could hurt his reputation.

I’m the head coach. The leader. I have to control myself.

I want Austin to have his dream, no questions asked.

Last night, when I got back to my house, he was still asleep on the couch, only Kimmie was curled up asleep at his feet like a little kitten.

Shaking my head, I lifted her carefully and carried her back to her bed. I tucked her in again and went back to put a blanket over Allie’s son before putting myself to bed .

Then the alarm went off too early this morning.

I’d spent the night tossing and turning, wanting her and feeling like I’d only made everything so much worse.

Austin was gone when I dragged my ass to the kitchen, and Kimmie was still asleep. I was dressed and finishing my cup of coffee when Dylan arrived.

“You okay this morning?” Dylan caught my arm, giving it a squeeze. “Everybody was talking about what happened at Cooters & Shooters last night.”

“That’s why I came home.” I put my mug in the sink. “Last thing I needed was to hang around all that gossip.”

“If it makes any difference, we all know the truth.” She filled her own mug of coffee. “Anyone with eyes can see how talented Austin is. George Powell is only making his situation worse. He runs the risk of making Levi an outcast.”

My lungs tensed, and I thought about Austin coming here last night. Dylan’s words were his fear, and to his credit, he didn’t want that to happen.

“Are you going to kick him off the team?” She gazed up at me with those big brown eyes.

I thought about the brother’s chat and what Logan said. Levi’s a talented kid, and he shouldn’t be punished for his father’s lack of self-control.

“No.”

Her shoulders relaxed, and she stepped forward to wrap her arms around my waist. “That’s why you’re the best coach and the best big brother in the world.”

Putting my arms around her, I huffed a laugh, giving her a brief squeeze. “I don’t know about all that, but I’ll judge him on his own merits. Now I’ve got to get to school.”

“We’ll see you in a few hours,” she called after me. “Liv’s coaching the drill team, and they have their first meeting this afternoon. Allie and I are helping her.”

I swallowed the knot in my throat, internally berating myself for the flush in my neck, the uptick of my pulse. It was an immature response. Of course, I’d see Allie again. She works at the school, she works at my family’s restaurant, she’s Austin’s mom.

I’d deal with these feelings the way I always do.

“See you then.” My tone was level, and I headed out the door.

Allie’s pretty face was on my mind the entire short drive, and I pulled into the parking lot right before the rest of the team arrived, just in time to meet Zane on the field and give Edward the thumbs up.

Now I’m exhausted.

It’s going to be a long day.

Logan’s whistle blasts, and the offense lines up. Austin is in the quarterback position, and Levi is in the backfield across from Noah in a basic split-back formation.

It actually hasn’t been as shitty of a day as I was bracing for it to be. George isn’t in the stands, and the sky is overcast, bringing down the heat.

“Austin’s playing better today than he has all camp.” Logan stands beside me, watching him fake a pass, then charge up the center, cutting through the line and getting the first down.

“Where you at, Defense?” Buddy yells from the sidelines. “I could’ve driven a truck through that hole. You need to run more laps?”

Garrett’s not here today, but he’ll be back tomorrow and Friday afternoon. The short time he’s been able to help has brought my starting lineup together, and once we get to playing, they’ll really gel.

Logan tweets his whistle, and the boys huddle. I see Austin standing tall, nodding at his fellow teammates and telling them Ace . I’ll have to tell him to use hand signals, because all eyes will be on him, reading his lips .

They go down for the snap, and my shoulders tense when I hear the sound of girls jogging out to join us on the sidelines.

I keep my eyes on the team.

Rich breaks off from the line, going downfield, and Levi finds another hole in the center. Austin quickly scans both boys, makes a decision, and fires a pass to our newest player.

This time Levi catches it easily, strong-arms a lineman and runs it twenty yards to first and goal. Offense breaks into celebration, surrounding Levi and slapping his back, lifting him off his feet.

My chest warms, and I’m gratified to see the smile on Levi’s face.

Parents clap and cheer from the bleachers, and the new drill team now present on the sidelines jumps up and down, cheering for the boys.

For the first time in almost twenty-four hours, the tension in my chest breaks. They look like a team, and those rumblings of taking state are starting to feel real.

Then I see Allie.

As if drawn by an invisible force, my eyes go directly to hers. She’s standing on the other side of the crowd of girls, almost like she’s hiding behind Liv, but I find her.

Our eyes clash, and energy pops in my chest. My throat constricts, and I can’t look away. I want to drink in the sight of her. I want to fantasize about all the things I could do to her.

Today, she’s wearing a white skirt and a red tank top to match the colors of the team, red and white. The top is tight, clinging to her curves, her full breasts and narrow waist, and the skirt is short, showing off her cute ass and tanned legs.

Her short hair bounces around her shoulders, and her lips are also red. She’s wearing white socks and chunky tennis shoes, and she looks better than any cheerleader. She’s a fucking fantasy.

“Daddy!” My daughter runs up and grabs me around the legs, breaking my lusty thoughts. “Miss Allie is helping Aunt Deedee and Auntie Liv coach the drill team! I think I could be on the drill team. I’m good at kicking!”

Kimmie bounces beside me, kicking her leg straight out, and I have to step back fast so she doesn’t rack me in the nuts.

“Watch where you’re kicking, Peanut!” Zane covers his mouth with his hand, snorting a laugh. “You almost made your dad a soprano.”

Kimmie squints one eye, looking up at him. “What’s that?”

He’s still laughing. “It’s a person with a very high voice.”

I put my hand on my little girl’s shoulder. “Let Aunt Liv do her job. Don’t interrupt her, and stay out of the way.”

Kimmie nods, watching the girls lining up in formation on the sidelines. Liv walks down, moving people around based on what appears to be height.

They’re in two lines, staggered so each girl is visible from the field, and Dylan leans into Allie’s ear to say something. My sister is also wearing a white skirt and red tank, and I realize all the girls are in either white shorts or tennis skirts and red tank tops.

I’ve only been looking at one person.

“This will be your spot for the year.” I’m close enough to hear Liv’s instructions. “Be spatially aware of each other.”

Logan’s whistle draws me back, and I remember I’m supposed to be watching the field, not Allie Sinclair.

“One more, Coach?” Logan looks at me, and I can’t tell if he saw where my attention had drifted.

“It’s a good day.” I look up at the overcast sky. “I hate to waste it.”

“We can take a break and then run a few more.”

Liv’s girls launch into a series of hand moves, swinging their hips in time to music coming from a small speaker.

Allie and Dylan stand back with their arms crossed as Liv leads them through the choreography, and every few minutes, Allie sneaks a glance in my direction.

It’s a fresh little explosion every time our eyes meet, and I clear my throat, realizing Logan is waiting for my answer .

“You’re right. The boys have been working hard. Let’s go one more round and wrap it up.”

“You sure?” A teasing grin lifts the corner of his mouth, and I know he busted me that time. “We could stay longer if you’d like.”

“I’m sure. I’ve seen all I need for today.”

Logan tweets the whistle then circles his finger above his head. “One more round, and that’s a wrap.”

The boys huddle quickly before lining up again. Another snap, and the girls get quiet watching them. Noah shoots down the field on the outside, but Flynn Barnes, our cornerback, is on him. Austin is under pressure, as two big guys barrel forward.

“Where’s Tyreek?” My voice is low, but I see our offensive lineman is on the ground. “Shit.”

Austin’s on the verge of being sacked when his eyes light, and he pulls back, sending it easily into Levi’s waiting hands in the end zone.

Again, the spectators go wild.

The drill team jumps up and down, shaking their small pom poms over their heads and kicking to their noses as the parents in the bleachers stomp their feet and cheer. Even Kimmie is jumping up and down, kicking her leg and yelling for Austin.

“Looks like we’ve got a winning pair.” Zane glances at me, and I nod.

“We’ll reverse it and see how they do tomorrow.”

The boys all crowd around the cooler, and I can’t stop myself. One more time, I look over at Allie standing with my sister. This time she looks right back at me, smiling broadly.

It’s the best thing I’ve seen all afternoon.