47. Nessa
47
NESSA
“ M iss Hart, come in, come in,” Coach Turner says as he stands from his chair and offers me his hand. “Thought you’d be on your way back to Nashville by now.” His grin is knowing, and I can’t help but return it as I close the door and take the seat across from him.
“Nashville is my next stop,” I confirm. “But I wanted to talk to you before I left.”
“Is that right?” His tone says he’s not surprised at all, and I have to wonder if I’ve always been this transparent or if Blackstone Falls has truly changed me.
“I’ve decided to retire from the Tornadoes. This will be my last season.” Holding his gaze, I add, “I’m trusting you’ll keep that to yourself until the formal announcement is made.”
“Of course. And congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you.”
His lips quirk up on one side. “Is that all you wanted to talk about?”
I laugh, shaking my head as I glance around the room. “I’m hoping you’re still looking for a head coach for your women’s soccer program in about eleven months, give or take.”
“Wouldn’t you know, I drafted the job posting this morning. Our club coach, the one that you filled in for, just told us she’s expecting a little one and doesn’t think she’ll be returning after the baby’s born. That’s some coincidence,” he muses dramatically as much for his benefit as mine.
“Unbelievable—truly,” I agree before sobering as I sit forward. “Thank you.”
“I haven’t given you the job yet,” he retorts, and I stop just short of rolling my eyes.
“Being here has given me back my love of the game and I want to share that—nurture it—for the students who come through those doors. I want to see them thrive on and off the field and I want to empower them—prepare them to take on the world.” Taking a breath, I add, “So much of my life and career have been dictated by things outside my control, and I think it’s about time I take it back.”
“Well, Miss Hart,” Coach Turner says, his voice a little shaky and his eyes glassy, “it would be an honor to have you as part of our coaching staff here at Blackstone University.” Holding out his hand, he adds, “Unofficially, of course.”
His wink has me chuckling as I slip my hand into his and return his shake. “Of course.”
“We’ll be rootin’ for you this season. There’s been nonstop chatter among the students, and I think they’re hoping to stream some of your games in the rec center.”
Warmth swells in my chest because this is what I’ve been missing—the knowledge that I’m doing something bigger than myself.
That I’m right where I’m meant to be.
“I’ll make sure to give them a show.” He nods, contentment radiating off him, and it makes me feel good to know I’m part of that. Looking at the clock, I stand. “I have to get on the road, but it was great seeing you, Coach.”
“You too, Nessa. I’ll be sure to let you make the formal announcement here on campus when it’s time.”
“Sounds good.”
“Drive safe and give ’em hell this season.”
Even though she’s expecting me, my heart rate still kicks up to an unhealthy level as I knock on the doorjamb for my second coaches’ meeting today. Coach Arsenault looks up from the paperwork on her desk, and it’s so reminiscent of the last time I was here. It feels like years ago instead of a couple of months, but so much has changed.
“Nessa, come in and have a seat.” She puts her pen on the desk, resting her forearms on the barely visible wood surface. “How are you feeling? Ready to start the season?”
Nibbling my bottom lip, I nod and then steel myself for what I need to say. “This will be my last season.”
Her lips part for only a second before pressing into a thin line. “You’re sure?”
“The Tornadoes’ offer was more than generous, and six months ago I wouldn’t have hesitated. I would have signed my name before the ink had time to dry, but my priorities have changed.”
“Lots of athletes have families, partners, and children. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.”
“With all due respect, Coach, I’ve already lived the other side of this life, and it’s not the one I want for my family.”
Her smile is soft and a little sad. “I’m happy for you, Nessa, even if I’ll be swearing up a storm trying to replace you out on the field. I figured I had another five or ten years with you and Kinsley leading the charge.”
“I thought so too, and a part of me will miss it. But I’ve never had anything other than soccer and now that I do, I can’t give it up, and more importantly, I don’t want to.”
“Well, I guess one thing is guaranteed,” she says, her brown eyes sparkling.
“What’s that?”
“We’re gonna win that championship.” A shiver races down my spine at the conviction in her words. She sees it and nods. “Get ready to work, Hart, because we’re going to give you one hell of a send-off.”