Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Owen
“That’s it, Jake,” I shout across the field. “Just like that. Do you feel the difference?”
“Yes, Coach,” our star tight end confirms after trying a new technique to get him off the line quicker.
Football season is in full swing, and as the offensive line coach for the high school, a kid with Jake’s talent and work ethic makes my job easy. And to be honest, I need all the help I can get.
Keeping my focus is nearly impossible. Daisy’s visit with Mark in L.A.
this past weekend has consumed nearly every thought in my head.
I know what their visits entail. It’s all I can do not to vomit on the new high school turf every time my mind projects images of the two of them having sex.
Or her perfect pink lips around his tiny dick.
But the worst image is the one with his head between her legs.
I know how sweet she tastes, and the thought of another man tasting her sends me into a blind rage I’m barely keeping at bay.
I check my watch for the hundredth time, relieved to see there are only four minutes left of practice. Time to call the boys in for a chat, meet with the coaching staff, and then race out of here.
Everything goes according to plan until I find Jake waiting next to my Jeep, head down, his attention fixed on his phone. He doesn’t notice me until I’m two feet in front of him.
“Hey, Coach. You got a second?”
“Always.”
“Do you think Mr. McKinnon needs any help at the store or on the ranch?”
“Everything okay?”
“Um, well, Dad got laid off from the mill, and I was thinking I could work after practice and on weekends to help out.”
Well shit.
This kid already works his butt off with school, sports, his other school extracurriculars, and caring for his younger siblings.
It’s his junior year, which is typically the hardest as kids begin preparations for college applications at the beginning of senior year.
But I also get that in a small town there isn’t a plethora of full-time jobs available when an employer like the mill has layoffs.
It could be a while before his dad is back to work.
“I’d be happy to talk to Callen. As long as you think you can add this to your plate without your grades slipping?”
He looks away, kicking an imaginary rock. “I’ll figure it out.”
This poor kid has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“I know you wanna help your family, but I want to be sure you’ll take care of yourself, too. You have a lot going on and you’re excelling in school. You’ve got so much to be proud of and as admirable as working for your family is, I don’t want you to burn out at the ripe old age of sixteen.”
“I’ll be seventeen in two months.”
“Agree to weekends only during football season and I’ll see what I can do for you.”
“What about school breaks?”
“I’m good with that.”
“Okay, deal.” He holds his hand out like a gentleman, and I shake it, confirming our agreement.
He throws his backpack over a shoulder and shoves his phone in his back pocket.
“Good. I’ll talk to Cal.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
“See ya tomorrow. Get some rest,” I say as I climb into my driver's seat.
I hate that he’s in this position. Not that I don’t think kids should work, but he’s already burning the candle at both ends. He’s one of the hardest working boys on the team, and his parents already put a lot on him. If a job will ease his worry for his family, I’m happy to help.
In fact, I’m headed to Cal’s at this very moment.
Daisy mentioned she was going to take Maui to Cal and Charlie’s place to work today. She’s been home for three days, and our only communication has been about the dog. I certainly haven’t asked how her weekend went. I don’t want to know. But I sure as shit hope she ended things with Mark.
It only takes five minutes to get from the high school I graduated from to my best friend's house. When I see Daisy’s car parked in front of the house, I thank my lucky stars she’s still here.
Wasting no time, I rush up the front porch steps and give a knock as I open the front door. This group isn’t big on formalities, and Daisy is here, so everyone should have their clothes on.
“Hello, hello,” I say into the empty house.
That’s strange. Maui usually comes running when she hears my voice.
I continue through the house and stop when out the back window in the orange glow of the early evening sun I see not only Charlie, Daisy and Maui, but Mia and Ryan and Cal’s sweet pit bull, Ruby.
They’re gathered around the dining table that Charlie crafted after she moved in.
The table includes a built-in fireplace that sits as the centerpiece their huddled near in a conversation that has Daisy rolling her eyes.
Our pup is curled up at her mama’s feet, her head resting on one of the many toys we’ve spoiled her with.
Daisy is facing the kitchen window and sees me before anyone else does. She slides her chair back, takes a drink order and then excuses herself, with Maui hot on her heels, as she comes through the back door.
“Hey, pretty girl. Come see Daddy.” I pat my thighs, calling our child to me.
Daisy stops just inside the door, placing her sunglasses to the top of her head and her hands on her hips. “Owen, we’ve talked about this. I’m not calling you daddy.”
God, she really is perfect.
“Never say never.”
She ignores my comment. “What are you doing here? I would have brought her back to your place.”
“I know, but I missed her.”
I missed you.
“How was practice?”
“Good. The boys are working really hard.”
Don’t ask her if she ended things. Keep it cool, bro.
“They must be. I hear the coaching staff leaves something to be desired. The school was pretty desperate, and dropped their coaching standards. Breathing? Check. Arrogant? Check. A high school football legend in his own mind? Check.”
“Don’t forget. Devastatingly handsome.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
Needing a distraction, I pick up the dog, holding her while I pet her head.
She’s growing too fast. I won’t be able to hold her like this for much longer.
However, this is only a thought in the back of my mind.
At the forefront is the smartass woman now leaning against the kitchen counter.
Her relentless stare says she’s not stupid. She knows why I’m really here.
Of course she does. Daisy knows me better than anyone else. She’s gonna wait me out until I ask, so you know what? Screw it. I’ve been upfront about how I feel. Why stop now?
“So?” I ask.
“So what?” she counters.
“Did you end it?”
“Like I said. Ridiculous.”
“Answer the question, Clover.”
“It’s none of your business.” She sighs as though I exhaust her and marches past me to the fridge.
“Like hell it isn’t.”
Grabbing a pitcher of lemonade, she heads back outside. Maui squirms in my arms, wanting to go with her mommy. I put her down, following them both out back.
“Well, look who’s here. To what do we owe the honor?” Charlie says when she spots me.
“Came to get the dog but thought I would say hi. Looks like I got here just in time for an ice-cold beverage.”
Not waiting for an invitation, I pull up a chair, inserting myself between Charlie, who’s holding a sleeping Gracie, and Ryan.
Ryan fills an empty glass with the sweet drink, leaning in as she does. “The dog. Sure.”
Surprised, I whip my head in her direction. She hides her eyes behind her sunglasses, but when she tilts her head in Daisy’s direction, it’s clear she knows.
Shit. It appears the journalist might see right through my bullshit. This should freak me out, but it doesn’t. I’m not the one who is dead set on keeping things a secret.
Pushing a little further, Ryan speaks to everyone at the table. “Hey, Owen. Give us your take on something.”
“Shoot.”
“Daisy matched with a climber from Colorado, and she’s going to hike Smith Rock with him later this week.” My heart hammers against my rib cage. “We think a remote location for a first date is a little risky. As a man of the law, what do you say?”
“It’s a horrible idea. I would advise against it.”
I would advise against her dating anyone other than me.
“Thank you,” Mia says, pushing on Daisy’s shoulder. “How about meeting up for a drink instead?”
“I’m tired of the same first date over and over again. None of you would understand. You’re all boo’d up.”
There’s a sadness in her voice, but I hardly feel sorry for her. I’ve offered to solve her problem. She wouldn’t have to navigate the dating world if she dropped the stubbornness that’s plagued her most of her life. Besides, she’s only doing this because she’s too chickenshit to face reality.
“Owen is single, and he agrees,” Ryan counters.
“He doesn’t count.”
I don’t find any humor in her reply.
I’m pissed.
“Well, looks like the gang’s all here!” Cal exclaims from behind me.
I stand, offering him my seat next to his wife.
“No, I was in the lumberyard all day, and I’m covered in dust. I need to take a shower.” He leans down to kiss his wife on the top of her head as he admires his little girl in her arms.
“Before you go, we have a question for you,” Charlie states.
“Well, hopefully, I have an answer. Whatcha got?”
“Daisy met a guy on a dating app, and for their first date, he wants to take her on a hike at Smith Rock.”
“Hell no. Haven’t you heard of stranger danger, sis?”
“He’s a climber from Colorado.” This is Daisy’s lame reasoning.
I can’t see my best friend's face, but I hear the confusion in his voice when he says, “I thought you were dating Mark?”
My heart stops, waiting for her reply, but it’s Ryan who answers as she kicks me under the table. “She ended things with him. Barely made it through dinner and ended up spending the weekend alone at the Sunset Marquis.”
Fuck yes, she did!
Now we need to push this climber off a very steep ledge and stop the madness.
Daisy and I are inevitable.