Chapter Seven #2
“Okay, Ms. Ackerman, I’ve already met with Coach Marshall and Coach Harp, and they’ve provided me with a top-notch game plan for a winning season.
After the ‘viral’”—he held his fingers in the air and made air quotes—“video from this summer at camp, I’m concerned about our girls’ future in soccer.
” He drummed his fingers across his desk.
“I can’t say I’m terribly surprised, as I thought your age and inexperience might be a handicap when we pulled you into this position at the last minute.
Of course, it’s not entirely your fault.
It’s why I would’ve preferred to have you mentored by Harry before moving up. ”
Ah, yes. How could she forget Harry York, the mediocre middle-aged soccer coach who was supposed to be the head coach of the girls’ team this year but instead had to go on medical leave?
Wilkes reminded her about him every chance he got, as if her glowing recommendations from prior coaches and professors weren’t proof enough that she could do this job.
In the leather chair next to her, Nicole stiffened. “I can assure you, Coach Ackerman is more than capable of leading this team to victory, especially after what was a very productive week of skills training, regardless of whatever video is floating around the internet.”
Headmaster Wilkes’ eyes flicked to Nicole, assessing and dismissing her in less than three seconds, before giving Marcee his attention.
She soothed the inner lioness waiting to emerge and maul the dope across from her. Smile and fake it, Marcee.
“Yes, we did have an excellent session at camp this summer with some of the best trainers in the country, and I have an extensive practice and weightlifting schedule the team will adhere to this year. I would be more than happy to provide you with what’ll be involved in my practices in written format if you’d prefer.
I’ve modeled the new training after schedules actively being used in the collegiate sphere, so not only will our team be ahead of the curve, but they’ll be prepared for what to expect should they decide to play at a higher level.
” Take that golden nugget and sit on it.
There was no way Graham and Mark came up with anything half as good as that.
The base of Wilkes’ chair squeaked in protest as he leaned back, head cocked to the side.
“See that you get it to me by tomorrow afternoon. Words are well and good, Ms. Ackerman, but after what I saw in that video, I’m concerned you may not be able to conduct yourself accordingly on the field.
These are impressionable young women. They need a role model, not a big sister. ”
None of this would’ve happened if not for Remington Lockley and his cocky ass. Yes, she instigated the incident. Yes, she was ready and willing to finish it. Remy still played an important role, though. She’d never met anyone who made her act so irrationally in her entire life.
Marcee also didn’t believe for a second Graham and Mark weren’t in there that morning pressing repeat on the video and whispering in Wilkes’ ear that she was too emotional, too inexperienced, to be head coach.
Leaning back, she crossed her legs and paused long enough that Wilkes shifted in his chair, eyes averted. A knowing smile tugged at her lips. She’d had her fair share of dealing with men on power trips. They didn’t scare her any more.
“Well, let’s see, Headmaster. I attended arguably one of the top private schools in New York, where I was on the starting roster of the varsity team as a freshman and forward.
I helped lead our team to the Charter School Athletic Association League Playoffs every year I played, including two championships—one of which I was voted MVP.
I think many people, most even, would consider that prime role model material.
” Her gaze drifted over his shoulder, snagging on a plaque from UNC’s alumni committee. “Oh, you went to UNC?”
He sat up straighter. “I did.”
“Great school, sir. Of course, when I attended Duke on a full athletic scholarship, we played them in the conference.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
“I believe we beat your women’s soccer team every year I played.
Of course, we were ranked number two in the nation at the time.
Hold on, that’s not true. We had one game which ended in a tie my junior year. ”
Beside her, Nicole bit her lower lip so hard it was a wonder she didn’t break skin.
Marcee uncrossed and crossed her legs again, the placid smile disappearing.
“I’m sure you know all of this, sir. This was addressed in my interview.
I may not have ten years of coaching under my belt, but I’ve been playing this sport—successfully—since I was five.
I’ve played with the best in the nation.
I was the best in the nation. What you saw in that video was my competitive nature getting the best of me. It won’t happen again.”
Her words hung in the air as Headmaster Wilkes studied her across the desk, lips pressed into a tight, thin line. Finally, he leaned forward, forearms braced on the surface.
“Let me get to the point then. Alpha Ridge has Remington Lockley.”
Obviously. “Yes.”
“They give us trouble every year, even when they don’t have a professional soccer player on payroll. I want to beat them this year. Our school board wants to beat them this year. It’s a matter of pride.”
“I have every confidence in our girls. We will win this year,” she responded, putting as much authority in her voice as she could muster.
Wilkes stood, buttoning the front of his suit jacket. When he slid a sheet of paper across the desk, his smile was smug.
“Perfect. Now, I will need you to sign this updated employment contract.” At her upraised eyebrows, he continued, “After the incident at camp and reports I’ve received, the school board and I thought it would be best that you confirm in writing that any… indelicacies… will be avoided.”
Heat bloomed in her cheeks. “Indelicacies?”
“Standard non-fraternization clause.” He cocked his head to the side and put a pen on top of the paper. “We can’t let the allure of fame get the best of us, can we?”
Marcee signed her name so hard the paper nearly ripped.
Wilkes gave her a tightlipped smile, but his eyes were twinkling.
“Thank you for meeting with me, Ms. Ackerman. I’m sure you will do your best this year. And if not, well, we do have a surplus in our payroll budget for next term that others may find enticing.”
So, that’s how it was going to be, huh? As she forced a polite smile and left his office, Nicole ahead of her, the resolve to stick it to every single person at the school solidified into freshly forged steel.
Of course, Marcee wanted her girls to have the pride that came with winning a championship, but it became more than that.
It was more than her job on the line. It was more than Nicole’s job on the line.
It was more than financial security for her and taking care of her parents.
It was her dignity and pride, too.