Chapter Four #3
Ashton loved this couch, loved this whole house, and still couldn’t believe how lucky she’d been to grab it—prime location near campus, homey, with a big backyard for entertaining. And somehow, it fell within her price range. Who knew going to school in the South could be so affordable?
“I wouldn’t say all for naught,” Ashton said, setting her wineglass on the worn coffee table. “Obviously, some logistical issues will need to be addressed before it’s official, but the major hurdle has been cleared.”
“Yeah. I still can’t believe Razor agreed.”
A shadow crossed Nancy’s features, but Ashton wasn’t sure if it was out of regret or something else.
“Are you worried?”
“About what?”
“You said that Razor blames you for what happened in San Diego. Are you worried it’s going to make it difficult coaching her again?”
Nancy vehemently shook her head. “Absolutely not. Despite what Razor thinks I did or didn’t do, we’re both professionals. We’ll be fine.”
Ashton nodded, satisfied, and then she caught a gleam in Nancy’s eyes.
“The bigger question is,” Nancy continued, “will Razor be a problem for you?”
Ashton flinched. “Why would it be a problem for me? I was the one who wanted her here in the first place.”
Nancy cocked her head. “Don’t play innocent with me, Ashton. I know you like her. Well, you did while you were in San Diego.”
Ashton scoffed. “What are you talking about? I thought she was a punk kid who was too smart for her own good.” She picked up her wineglass and gulped greedily.
“I may have been focused on my job a lot back then, but I wasn’t so driven I didn’t notice how you looked at Razor. How you tracked her during practice.” Nancy smiled coyly over the rim of her wineglass. “You didn’t hate her as much as you wanted everyone to believe.”
Ashton downed the rest of her wine.
“Look, it’s understandable,” Nancy continued, not letting go of the subject. “Razor was a young, vibrant, charismatic woman. A lot of the girls were attracted to her.”
“Really?” Ashton tried to fake not caring.
Nancy chuckled. “Don’t be so surprised. But unlike those other girls, you were on the verge of being one of the greatest pitchers in the game. And I had to make sure you kept your eyes on the prize.”
Ashton thought for a minute. “Wait…is that why you gave me all those speeches about focusing on the future?”
Nancy nodded. “I’m not ashamed I did it, either. You were on your way to bigger and better things. Did you really want to start a relationship with someone who wasn’t even close to where you were in your life?”
Ashton shook her head. When she’d arrived at San Diego State, she’d been in a long-distance relationship with her girlfriend from high school, but it fizzled out soon after due to her commitment to her craft and the team.
That was about the time she’d noticed Razor as more than a cocky kid who was a great catcher.
Maybe she’d just been lonely. Or maybe…it could have been the start of something more.
“I’ll admit, you were right to keep me on my path while I was in San Diego. If you hadn’t, I don’t think I would’ve thought I’d had the talent to try out for the Japan Club.”
“And you ended up making the roster,” Nancy said.
“But it’s different now,” Ashton said. “Isn’t it?”
Nancy set down her empty wineglass on the table and leaned back farther into the couch.
“If you’re talking about how you’re both adults, living in the same town, and apparently single, then yes, it is different.
But you’re forgetting one thing. Razor is the new catcher for the Hornets. And you are her coach.”
“I’m not her head coach,” Ashton said. “I’m the graduate assistant coach.”
Nancy waved her hands over her head. “Spin it however you want, but the truth is, you are a member of the coaching staff. Trust me, that’s a headache you don’t want.”
“Speaking from personal experience?”
Ashton meant it as a joke, but the serious expression Nancy sported said it didn’t land.
“Not personally, but I did work with a coach who ended up dating and ultimately marrying a player.”
“Whoa.”
“He was an assistant, they were consenting adults, but it got complicated when the administration got wind of it.”
“What happened to them?”
Nancy tapped her leg. “Let’s just say that there is now a rule that states no educator—coach, teacher, etc.—shall engage in a personal relationship with a student so long as the student is under the guidance of said educator.”
Ashton rubbed her forehead. The last thing she wanted to do was jeopardize herself or Razor. Even if there wasn’t an official rule against a relationship, the hint of a scandal could have the administration taking drastic action, putting both their futures in danger.
Nancy reached across the couch and clasped her hand. “I can see this bothers you. I can also see there’s lingering feelings for Razor. Think long and hard before you decide to pursue her, please. For both your sakes.”
Ashton nodded. Nancy was right. The risk was too big, especially since Razor probably didn’t feel that way about her anymore. No sense in blowing up their lives on an unproven what-if attraction.