Chapter 16 #2
Declan got lucky because his coach happens to be his high school best friend. From what I’ve gathered, they’ve had a slow simmering thing for years. Can’t imagine how that’ll turn out.
Cateline is giving Wolf a run for his money, which, as far as I’m concerned, is a good use of resources. He’s one of my best friends, but I’ve only ever seen Hammer put him in his place, and the guy needs an attitude adjustment.
Then there’s Chase, who is a charmer. By the way his coach looks at him with those big brown eyes, she’s under his spell.
The guys and I exchange our usual greetings, involving fist bumps and hushed locker room language, as if we anticipate a scolding from Coach Hammer.
I drop into a vacant spot on the couch. Chase tosses me a frilly decorative pillow, I huck it at Wolf.
Wearing a sharp expression that could sever heads, Cateline plucks it out of his hands and then calls for our attention. “Gentlemen, I want to remind you why you’re here.”
“Because we’re a bunch of studs, on the field and off.” Wolf chuckles at his joke.
Cateline’s lips resemble a pair of blades. “I think you mean you pulled a stunt off the field that was not appreciated. You humiliated yourselves publicly, bringing shame to your commissioner and his family.”
“On the upside, we made a lot of people laugh,” Declan adds.
“More concerningly, some very important people did not think your prank was amusing. That’s where Blancbourg comes in. We want to teach you to think before you speak and act. I expect progress has been made on that front this week.”
Everly, standing by herself across the room, shifts from foot to foot.
I lose track of what Chase says and the rest of the back and forth, because Everly is by herself when she should be with me.
Or I should be with her. We should be together and we will be as we continue the program Cateline outlines.
How will that work? A lot like pushing a boulder uphill, but when I’m with her, I feel less crushed under its weight, and not because she’s shouldering my burdens. Rather, because with her they feel lighter.
The headmistress makes a sharp ahem sound. “As you’re aware by now, we started with coaching lessons here at the academy. Hopefully, you had plenty of practice. Now you will move on to the real-world application of being civilized human beings and not cavemen.”
“Let me reiterate, I prefer to think of us as studs,” Wolf says.
Cateline’s nostrils flare. “You could think about it like a game. One you want to win.”
“Wouldn’t want to see what she’d do if we lose,” Chase mutters.
“Our time together will culminate in the First Annual Boston Bruisers Charity Ball, which you could say is the big one.”
“Like the Super Bowl?” Chase asks.
Cateline ignores him and outlines the posh event.
“If you haven’t noticed, we’re not particularly fancy,” I say.
“Speak for yourself.” Declan brushes imaginary dust off his shoulders.
Ignoring our antics, Cateline continues, “I have good news. To my surprise, all of you passed the first review. Now, you’ll have lessons in the field—”
“The football field?” Chase asks.
Cateline glowers. “You will have an off-site opportunity to apply what you learned in the classroom to real-life scenarios.”
“Does that mean we’re done here?” Declan asks.
Cateline snorts. “You’re done with classroom instruction, yes, but not with your coaching. Your etiquette teacher will be your constant companion wherever you go and whatever you do for the next three weeks.”
The reality of what’s next lands on my chest with a thud. My gaze rushes to Everly, and even though I know the ins and outs of football, I’m not sure how to play this game.
She’s my wife, I’m gaining custody of my kid, and we’re supposed to stick together for three weeks. I can’t get out of this because that would betray the guys, on top of my not telling them those two important facts.
Lost in thought, I don’t realize Everly is by my side until her hand lands on my shoulder. I want to lean into it and plant my palm on top of hers, but instead, I get to my feet and tuck them into my pockets.
“Hungry?” she asks.
My stomach growls in response and I follow her outside.
Other than that, I remain quiet until we reach the village. I hardly realize we’ve left the manor grounds until the buttery, malty scent of waffles fills my nose.
We stop under a wooden sign printed with the name Scooper Dooper hanging on a wrought iron bracket. Two tall windows frame a couple of bistro tables and flower boxes, popping with petunias and daffodils and overflowing with sweet alyssum, which my mother would appreciate.
“You’re seriously going to have ice cream for breakfast?” I ask.
“It’s now after eleven, so I consider it brunch.”
We enter the cool of the parlor with a long counter on one wall and a chalkboard behind a glass display case featuring flavors like Moosetracks, salted caramel pretzel, jalapeno honeycomb, and espresso fudge.
Everly orders a large. Gesturing to me, she adds, “And whatever he wants.”
I give my head a shake.
“Oh, come on. Live a little.”
I grunt.
“Oh, I forgot. You only have two settings. Grump and grouch. Guess that means more ice cream for me.”
“I’m not a robot and have more than two settings.”
“Prove it.”
I snort, but only because it’s the closest I can come to a laugh.
It’s been hard to see past the clouds lately, but with Everly, I can almost glimpse them parting in the distance.
Blue sky. Green eyes. High on life. Low on gloom.
I want to meet her in this sunny clearing, but I am not quite there yet.
When I don’t order ice cream, she does the job for me. “In that case, he’ll have the wasabi Tutti Frutti with a sprinkle of Doritos on top.”
I almost gag. “Actually, I’ll take the cookie dough, please.”
“Ah, good choice. So, you are a kid at heart and the perfect gentleman. Maybe our lessons are paying off.”
I can’t help it, craving Everly’s touch, I bump her with my elbow. I instantly regret it when a surge rushes through me, making my heart race. A shout from the void tells me to maintain my distance, to push her away. Instead, when she gets her ice cream, I steal a bite.
I’m afraid to wonder what of mine she’s already taken.