Page 72 of The Coach

“What the hell are you doing?” His question, which could be directed at either of us, is for Tanner.

“Lincoln, I’m sorry you found out this way.”

Lincoln’s face changes from rage filled and ready to throw down to false humor. He lets out a bark of sarcastic laughter, his eyes raking over us. “Oh, are you? You think I found out this way?” He lifts his phone, scrolling to something and turns it to show us a picture.

It’s from the karaoke bar. Tanner has me dipped in a kiss. The angle is just right to get both of our faces in it, so there’s no denying it’s us.

“A friend of mine works in that bar. He just sent it to me today, after having forgotten about it.” He grits his teeth as he turns his phone back around, looking at a picture that clearly makes him sick. “I didn’t want to believe it, so I came down here to confront you.”

Again, he’s talking to Tanner, but his eyes quickly turn to me. He shakes his head. “Then I started to think. About how you’ve been so secretive about this guy you were seeing. At first, I thought you’d gotten together with Mark again.” I feel my stomach clench with unease. “But I know you’re not that stupid.”

“Ellis,” Tanner snaps, but Lincoln is on a roll.

“Then I thought about that day at your work. You were about to call ‘Tanner.’ I can’t believe I didn’t see it then. Or at the restaurant, you two hiding by the bathrooms.” He shakes his head at himself, and I plead with my eyes, my hands folding up to the center of my chest.

“Linc,” I start, my voice hoarse. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you—”

“Tell me what?” he barks, his eyes drilling into me again. “Micayla, he’s way older than you! He took advantage—”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I snap back. “And don’t you dare go flinging those accusations around. Tanner and I are in a consensual relationship.”

“Oh my god,” he groans, shaking his head. “This is insanity, Micayla. He’s my hockey coach! He’s been a pro hockey player. You really think he’s the type to settle down?”

“Ellis,” Tanner interrupts, his voice is hard. “I have no intention of leaving your sister, so take a breath, and let’s calm down.”

“Oh sure,” Lincoln replies, his tone unable to hide his disgust. My gut churns. “Let’s just calm down. You expect me to believe you’re what, committed to my sister? She’s still in college, for Christ’s sake!”

“Lincoln, I am a grown woman,” I tell him, taking a step closer. Lincoln steps back. “I chose to go out with Tanner. As a matter of fact, I asked him out.”

“Please,” Lincoln scoffs. “You didn’t even want to date again after that last prick.”

My eyes soften at the mention, and I sigh. “I know that, but Tanner is different.”

“’Tanner is my hockey coach!” he explodes, his mask of calm slipping into the rage he’s clearly still feeling. “He’s like fifteen years older than you, Micayla! How could you want to be with someone that old?”

“Calm down, Lincoln,” Tanner interrupts, seeing the same anger I am. “We’re all adults here. Let’s just have a rational discussion.”

“No.”

“No?” I ask, worry seeping into my mind.

I’ve dreaded this exact moment for months, wondering how and when I will tell my baby brother I was dating his hockey coach, so I’m upset when his reply is so sure, so definite. I should have seen this coming. I should have told him so much sooner.

“No, this is insane.” He shakes his head, his hands resting on his hips. “I’ll go to the board with the pictures, I’ll show Ed and Lee and everyone if you two don’t break it off.”

My heart drops, my eyes fill with hot tears. Betrayal is the word that comes to mind. “Lincoln…why?”

“Because I don’t want you to get hurt, and that’s exactly what he’ll do!”

“No, he won’t,” I insist, wanting to go and comfort my brother while also wanting to run away from this entire conversation. And, maybe, smack him a little.

“I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. What about Mark, huh? He was a player, too, and he treated you like shit, Micayla.”

“Don’t bring up, Mark. Tanner is nothing like that.” My own anger finally surfaces from where it was buried beneath the hurt and worry and betrayal.

“He’ll prove it to you soon enough. Break it off.” Then he turns and slams the office door closed as he marches out of the locker room.

I stand there, completely stunned, angry, and upset.

---