Chapter 41
SADIE
I left the meeting with the dean’s assistant feeling discouraged. He was dismissive as fuck about my concerns. He obviously never watched Fatal Attraction .
Women can be psychos too, buddy .
His assurance that he’d look into the Gwen matter felt hollow to my ears. Since I’m not going to sit around and wait for her to come at me with a knife, I decide to use the last trump card I have up my sleeve.
I drive straight to the Rebels’ headquarters. Danny messaged me an hour ago, so I know practice is over for the day. It means Dad will be in his office, watching tapes until past dinnertime—that is, if his habits haven’t changed.
The car park is almost empty, but his car is there. Not willing to take risks, I dig in my purse and fish out the can of pepper spray I bought after the encounter with Gwen. I’m on edge as I stride across the car park, paying close attention to my surroundings. I hate that the bitch did this to me.
My heart is racing when I enter the building, and it doesn’t slow down until I see Dad in his office.
A wave of relief washes over me. Deep down, I know he’ll never let anything happen to me.
I don’t fight the feeling like I would have a couple of months ago.
My resentment with him has lessened considerably, and I think Danny is responsible, in part, for it.
His door is open, but he’s facing away from it, watching the TV screen. A football game is on. Most people would notice someone lurking behind them, but not Dad when he’s in the zone.
I knock on the doorframe. “Hey, Dad. Got a minute?”
He turns so fast that he almost falls out of his chair.
“Sadie. What are you doing here?”
I enter and then shut the door. “I need to ask you a favor.”
He gets up and drags his chair back to behind his desk.
“If it’s anything within my ability, I’ll be glad to help.”
I pull up the chair opposite his and sit down. He follows suit. Immediately, an uncomfortable silence descends.
For fuck’s sake. This is horrible. And I know I’m to blame for it.
“I’m not sure you’re aware that a sophomore transfer was responsible for trashing my car.”
His eyebrows furrow. “I’m aware. She wasn’t simply a random student. Danny told me it was his ex.”
“He did? I didn’t know he had.”
Dad nods. “He told me before practice. Even though I appreciate his transparency on the matter, I can’t say I’m happy about it.”
Oh boy. He’s not going to like what I have to say, then.
“Please don’t blame him for the actions of his psychotic ex.”
“I’m not blaming him, but I can’t help thinking if you hadn’t gotten involved with Danny in the first place, none of this would have happened.”
I take deep breaths, trying to control my temper. “If he hadn’t come into my life, I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”
Dad’s eyes narrow, but I don’t give him the chance to offer a rebuff.
“Danny is the best thing that’s happened to me since I discovered football. He’s helped me so much, Dad.”
He leans against his chair. “You really love him, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do. So I need you to promise me not to get angry with him once I tell you what happened.”
“If your news is anything along the lines of Madonna’s ‘Papa Don’t Preach,’ you can forget me not getting angry.”
I choke on my saliva. “God, Dad. I’m not pregnant!”
Relief is evident on his face. “For heaven’s sake, Sadie. Don’t scare me like that.”
Glowering, I cross my arms over my chest. “You scared yourself by jumping to conclusions.”
He rubs his face. “Fair enough. What’s the favor you want to ask me, then?”
“Gwen accosted me earlier today.”
He sits straighter. “What did she do?”
“She spewed garbage. Talked a bunch of nonsense about Danny belonging to her and told me I’d regret it if I stayed in her way.”
“She threatened you?”
“Pretty much. I had a meeting with the dean’s assistant, but I don’t think he took me seriously.”
“That guy is a moron. I’ll go straight to the dean. He will take this matter seriously. You have my word.”
“Thanks, Dad. That’s all I need from you.”
He nods. “Of course, honey. I wish you’d have come to me as soon as it happened though.”
“I wanted to go through the proper channels and not pull the ‘I’m the coach’s daughter’ card.”
“But you are the coach’s daughter. There’s nothing wrong with using your connections to keep you and Danny safe.”
His comment drops like a ball of glass shards in my stomach. I had been so concerned about Gwen coming after me that I didn’t consider she might hurt Danny too.
“I think her beef is only with me,” I reply without conviction.
“Are you back in your dorm? I don’t like the idea of you staying there while this woman is still around campus. Maybe you should stay with me for a few days.”
The refusal is on the tip of my tongue, but then I think about Danny. What if by staying with him, I’m painting a target on his back too? If I stay with Dad for a few days, she’ll think her threats scared me.
“I can do that.”
His eyebrows shoot to his hairline. “Really?”
I smirk. “You were expecting me to say no, right?”
He rubs the back of his neck and looks at his computer screen. “Absolutely. But I’m glad you said yes. It’ll be like old times.”
My smile wilts a fraction. I’m not sure it will ever be like the old times between us, but I don’t tell him that.