Page 33 of Fighting Spirit

“Yes, sir.” I nod.

“We gotta look squeaking clean this season and the bullshit with this young lady is not gonna fly. I’m gonna get to the bottom of all this and there are gonna be some very serious consequences. I’m not ruling out cutting some of you hooligans.”

I’m relieved to hear him say it. I assumed he’d get some pressure from higher up to go easy, particularly if he’s considering cuts.

“What do you need from me?” I ask.

“Keep your nose clean. I’m not gonna tell you to stay away from that girl, especially if you’re friends how you’re saying, but be very careful about how this could look.”

I chew the inside of my cheek as his words sink in. There’s nothing happening with Ruth the way he clearly thinks, even calling her a friend would be a stretch. But a guy who’s about to take up a staff position being seen with the student mascot of our fiercest rivals wouldn’t look good. To the guys on the team, or anyone else.

The smart thing would be to stay far away from her, but the thought of doing that makes me sad in a way I can’t explain. I just want one thing that’s for me, that makes me happy. Maybe a friendship with Ruth could be that thing, but only if I tread carefully.

“Okay, kid, get out of here.” Fitz starts packing his laptop away. “I got a dinner date with Margie and you’re not gonna make me late.”

“Yes, sir,” I rush out, thankful to be let off the hook.

He gives my hand a quick shake, the same way he’s ended every meeting I’ve ever had with him. “Gonna be weird not hearing you call me that next year.” The edge of his mouth kicks up in a half smile.

“I think I’ll always call you sir. Using your name wouldn’t feel right.” I give a halfhearted chuckle, even as I’m afraid it might be true. Maybe joining the staff is too big a leap, I don’t know if I’ll ever get past the way I’ve always seen him.

“Start practicing.” He claps me on the shoulder and strides out, leaving me to chase after him so he doesn’t lock the office door with me inside.

Chapter Thirteen

RUTH

Ruth

What kind of screws do I need for an exterior wall?

The inside of the wall

Like around the window

….

I pulled down my curtain rail.

Idon’t know why Rowan was the first person I thought to ask. Obviously, I Googled it, but the video tutorial I found was super long, and the guy's nasally voice made me feel like I was going to get a rash.

ROWAN

How?

Ruth

That’s need to know.

ROWAN

I need to know.

Shit. I was hoping he’d drop some home repair wisdom and be on his way without me having to explain what happened. Though really, I have no idea if he even knows about this kind of stuff. He just seems like he would. Between his general take-charge vibe and the whole rugged thing he’s got going on, I can see him in a cabin somewhere, chopping up logs for a wood burner and making his own furniture from scratch.

Not that I’m having lumberjack fantasies.

Ruth

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