Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
B oon
I was pretty sure nothing in the second half of my life would give me the same thrill as playing ball in a packed stadium.
The roar of the crowd, the shit-talking with the other guys, the adrenaline hit when the ball bounced my way and I leaped into action to make the out.
That crack of the bat, the feel of it when you knew it was a homer.
Goddamn, it was all addictive as hell. To give it up after it was all I knew my whole life left me feeling like I was having withdrawals.
And then I ran into Shae Fletcher.
I don’t know what it was, but seeing her in her prissy little sweater buttoned over yet another stain on her shirt, glasses perched on the tip of her nose, pretty mouth pinched into a look of disdain reserved just for me…it all gave me that dopamine hit that baseball used to.
Her long lashes blinked repeatedly behind the glasses, like she was absorbing the news of me working here at the high school.
Or had something in her eyes. The woman next to her, one of the women who’d been at Shae’s house over the weekend, looked me up and down with a straight face before emitting a snort I wasn’t quite able to decipher and walked away.
“Oh, great. We’re hiring whiffle ball–brained buffoons now,” Shae grumbled, swiveling on her black shoes and stalking away from me.
“They’re actually baseballs, not whiffle balls,” I called after her. Her bouncy reddish-brown ponytail swished side to side as she pranced away, her shoulders scrunching up higher at my remark. She didn’t bother to slow down or reply. The grin taking over my face felt triumphant.
“Shae’s a dynamite with the kids,” a man said on my left.
I turned, startled to see him there when I hadn’t heard him walk up. He wore a plaid shirt and wrinkled khaki pants. A comb-over was already happening but he didn’t look past mid-thirties. He stuck out his hand and we shook.
“I’m Steve Smith-Tartle, English teacher. And a big fan of yours. Break laws, break records!” His volume increased on the official Texas Outlaws slogan, garnering attention from the other teachers still in the break room.
Before I could escape, several of them shifted closer, surrounding me with back pats, congratulations, and even a few requests for autographs. By the time I left, I had invitations to after-school drinks on Friday at Gin/Tan/Laundry and a barbecue at Principal Joseph’s house on Saturday.
Second period was my first health class.
I went over the syllabus that had been handed to me before I hit the break room this morning.
Apparently the previous health teacher had moved out of town when her husband got transferred and subs had been covering ever since.
Giggles from the teen girls accompanied most of the lesson.
The guys rolled their eyes and tried to act cool but failed miserably, especially when they realized we’d be talking about reproductive health.
I had a moment of panic when my eyes drifted over the sex education talk I’d be giving next month.
I was wholly unqualified to teach that topic, especially the part about preventing pregnancy.
Kinsley was living proof that I hadn’t done a thorough job in that department.
By the time lunch rolled around, I was exhausted and seriously wondering if I’d bitten off more than I could chew.
I had enough money to just retire and do nothing.
Why had I agreed to teach and coach at the high school back in my hometown?
Dad, before his death, had only mandated I come home to Blueball, not work at the school.
But I’d have to figure that out later. Right now, I needed to do something for my daughter, something I should have thought of before, if I hadn’t had my own life issues on the forefront of my brain.
The same teen I’d driven to school who’d said not one single word to me all morning.
Ignoring the teachers lifting a hand and waving me to their table in the break room, I made a beeline for Shae.
She had a square glass container in front of her with what looked like a salad.
Lydia was next to her and saw me first. My shadow fell across the table and Shae’s fork clattered into her container as she looked up and saw me.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” I asked in my most serious tone.
Shae’s glasses were pushed to the top of her head, making her look adorable. If I didn’t already know her personality flaws, that is.
“You can speak.”
I refrained from rolling my eyes at her haughty tone. I took the seat across from her. Lydia cocked her head to the side, but I ignored her for now. Principal Joseph had told me this morning when I asked about the volleyball team that Shae was the one to speak to.
“I want Kinsley to try out for the volleyball team.”
Shae’s mouth puckered, a default expression around me, it seemed. “Can’t do it. We already started our season and the roster is set.”
I leaned over the table, my arms outstretched, my fingertips nearly touching her salad. That started out wrong. I needed to soften my approach.
“She’s played since middle school. She loves the sport, but she didn’t even mention having to leave her team.
Her mom called me last night and filled me in on all the tears that were shed.
” I swallowed hard, not wanting to show anything even hinting at weakness in front of this woman who clearly hated me, but I needed her help.
I needed to be a good dad to my daughter before it was too late.
“I think it would really help her assimilate here if she was on the team. Please, Shae. I’m begging you.”
Her eyebrows lifted and I had actual fear growing in my chest at the way her eyes lit up over me begging her. “What’s it worth to you?” she practically purred.
God, I really fuckin’ hated her right now. Then I thought of Kinsley having to leave her team, crying her eyes out, and despising me so much she didn’t even tell me about it.
“It’s worth everything,” I replied, meaning every word. “I’m not saying give her a spot. I’m just asking you to give her a fair chance to earn a spot on the team. I’ll owe you, Shae. Anything you want.”
Lydia sucked in a breath, but Shae didn’t move a muscle.
She and I had a staring contest that went far better than the one with the goat.
Goddamn, she was pretty. So stuffy and nerdy and soft.
I wanted to bite her neck and smile over the red mark that stained her smooth pale skin.
I had no idea why I found her attractive when she was opposite my type, but I did.
Shae finally looked away, picking up her fork and pushing around her salad.
“Fine. I’ll give her a fair chance. Tell her to come to the gym as soon as school’s out today.” She lifted her gaze back to me. “And you owe me a favor, big dog. Anything I ask.”
I screwed up my face. “Stop calling me that.”
Shae snorted a laugh that held zero humor. “Why? Does it bother you? All the men lap it up.”
“No, they don’t,” I retorted. A thirty-nine-year-old single woman thought she knew what men liked? Please. That was my wheelhouse, and she had no place in it.
“Watch.” Shae lifted her head, scanned the room, and then raised her voice. “Hey, Johnson!”
A beefy guy in a polo two sizes too small turned his thick neck her direction.
“Looking good with that new weight routine, big dog!” Shae drew out the nickname and added a guttural tone, making it infinitely more stupid-sounding.
Except Mr. Thick Neck grinned ear to ear, shot her double air pistols and winked at her before his cheeks turned ruddy. Shae looked back at me, triumph written all over her smug face.
“See? Men eat it up to inflate their small…” Her gaze dropped, like she was viewing my crotch right through the tabletop. “Egos.”
Damn. That was…savage. I shook my head slowly. Teenage Shae had been a handful, but easily embarrassed. One quick verbal jab and she’d clam up and back down. Grown Shae was turning out to be a worthy opponent in every way.
And I really fuckin’ liked it.
“You’re unbelievable,” I murmured.
Shae’s smile amped up. “Damn right I am.” Then she turned to Lydia whose head had been swiveling back and forth between us like she was at a tennis match. “Ready to head out?” Shae pushed her chair back and collected her lunch, exiting the break room without another word.
Lydia was a bit slower, pausing as she walked by me. “Watch yourself, Wolfe. I have friends in low places.”
I opened my mouth to ask what the hell that meant, but she was already gone.
I shook my head and blew out a long breath.
I wasn’t sure if I could call that conversation a win, but I’d gotten Kinsley a tryout and that would have to do.
Pulling out my phone, I shot my daughter a quick text with the good news.
If I was expecting a heart emoji or a thank you so much, Dad, you’re amazing for my efforts, I was sorely disappointed. I got a thumbs up and that was that.
Thankfully, I only had one more health class before I met up with the baseball team on the hot metal bleachers ringing the baseball field.
They weren’t even talking amongst themselves, which I found interesting.
It felt weird to be on this side of the bleachers.
I was the coach now, the one who demanded respect and was responsible for this group of mostly uncoordinated teenage boys.
“Thanks for meeting up on short notice. As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, I’ve been hired as head coach for the team.”
A kid with a nest of unruly hair on top of his head, stood up. He was tall, lanky, but starting to show some bulk in his upper body. “Welcome to Blueball High, Coach Wolfe. We’re happy to have you here.”
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Tatum. Captain last year.”
I nodded, remembering him from the roster I’d studied when they offered me the job.
There wasn’t a whole lot of video to be found online, nor a lot of wins, but I was hopeful I could turn the ship around.
Back in my day, Blueball High had several state championships under our belt and I intended to get some more before my time here was done.
“Nice to meet you, Tatum.” He sat down and I addressed the group.
“I don’t have a lot of rules, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be an easy coach.
I expect you to keep your grades up, your noses out of trouble, and one hundred percent effort all year round.
To that end, I’m instituting offseason weight training starting today. ”
There were murmurs, but no outright protests. I’d nearly had a heart attack when I saw the team wasn’t already lifting weights consistently in the offseason. Being strong not only prevented injuries but was the foundation to a successful team. We had a lot of catching up to do.
“Follow me, boys.”
The team stood up and clanked down the bleachers, following me toward the weight room I’d already checked out earlier today.
I planned to do some assessments first to see what we were starting with.
Except when I flung open the door, there were at least twenty girls already using the weight room.
All heads spun in my direction, the team behind me crowding my back.
“What class is this?” I asked the girl closest to the door.
“Um, volleyball?”
I wanted to smack my forehead. Great. Real fuckin’ great. I turned back to the baseball team. “Wait here. No screwin’ around.” Then I walked into the weight room and asked for the head coach.
“She’s in the gym with the new girl,” a blonde girl told me, pointing to the door that lead to the attached gymnasium.
The new girl had to be my daughter. I hesitated, knowing if I stepped foot in the gym while my daughter was trying out, she’d crucify me later.
But if I didn’t talk to the volleyball head coach, I wasn’t sure what to do with my baseball team.
Thankfully, the decision was made for me.
The door flew open and Shae entered, Kinsley hot on her heels.
Shae faltered for a moment when she saw me.
She turned a suspicious frown my way, but addressed the girls.
“Ladies! We have a new outside hitter. Everyone meet Kinsley.”
The blonde I’d talked to went up to my daughter and dragged her over to the bench press. “You can work out with me, if you want.”
I could have kissed the girl for being kind to my daughter.
Thankfully I knew that would be highly inappropriate and turned my attention to Shae instead.
She had on track pants, tennis shoes, and a Blueball High volleyball T-shirt.
Remarkably without stains. With her hair in that high ponytail, she looked adorably sporty.
“Are you…” I trailed off, my brain finally catching up to what I should have already realized. “You’re the head coach.”
Shae nodded, an evil glint in her eyes. “Genius-level deduction, big dog.”
I had to clamp my teeth together to keep from throttling her.
That fuckin’ “big dog” shit was really getting on my nerves.
But the joy I’d seen splash across my daughter’s face when she was introduced as part of the team kept my teeth firmly planted on my tongue.
If I looked beyond the irritation Shae inspired by just breathing in my vicinity, I was proud of her.
I’d spent the better part of my summer before high school helping her work on her volleyball skills.
The little girl she’d been years ago was desperate to make the team. Look at her now.
“From driveway peppering to head coach. Damn, wiz. Way to go.”
Shae opened and closed her mouth twice, probably unsure how to accept a compliment from me. Probably unsure it was genuine.
“So, we’ve got a bit of a problem,” I said when it became clear she could think of nothing to say in response. I gestured to the clanking gym machines around us. “I need this gym for my baseball team.”
Shae folded her arms across her ample chest, anger and irritation fighting for space on her face. “Like hell you do.”