Page 10 of Crossing the Lines for Love

I had no doubt he was capable of helping us reach and win the championship. However, I prayed his personality and coaching style would work with our team.

“Without further ado, I introduce to you, our new assistant coach, Randi Sampson.”

We clapped as we watched the door, anticipating who would enter the small lecture hall we used for team meetings. I was confused when I saw a face that had become all too familiar because it had appeared in my dreams for the past several nights.

The claps died down once my teammates and I realized the woman standing before us was the new assistant coach. We stared in disbelief because Coach Crawford’s hiring a woman to replace Coach Lisle was the last thing we expected.

“Coach Crawford, thank you for such a wonderful introduction. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and excited to start the season. Umm, besides that, Coach Crawford has given you my background, so I don’t have much to add unless you have questions.”

It was so quiet you could probably hear a pin drop. I looked around, and most of my teammates were looking at me. The shock they felt was apparent from the looks on their faces.

I was the oldest person on the team, as well as the team captain, so everyone looked to me for guidance. However, in this scenario, I was as shocked as they were and had no words. The silence was more than awkward, so I had to think of something to say.

“Welcome to the team,” finally fell from my lips, gaining her attention.

It seemed she hadn’t noticed me before that moment, and it was her turn to be shocked. I began clapping again to cover up the awkwardness, and my teammates followed suit. Coach Crawford spoke again when the applause stopped.

“Well, since it seems you all have lost your ability to speak, you’re dismissed. I’ll see you at three o’clock on Monday.”

The lecture hall was emptied in a matter of seconds, but Coach Crawford asked me to stay back. Begrudgingly, I did.

“Coach Sampson, this is Niko Kemper. He’s one of three seniors on the team and our team captain.”

She offered her hand and said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

It bothered me that she pretended as if we hadn’t met on two previous occasions, but I followed her lead. “You too.”

“Niko, would you mind giving her the rundown of the team? Here’s a list with everyone’s name, picture, and position, but I want you to tell her what’s not on this paper.”

“No problem, Coach.”

“You can use your office or the conference room,” he suggested to Coach Sampson.

“My office is a mess at the moment, so the conference room would be best. Lead the way.”

“Coach Sampson, meet me in my office when you two finish. There are a few other things I want to go over before Monday,” Coach Crawford said as we left the lecture hall.

Neither of us spoke until we were behind the closed doors of the conference room.

“I can’t believe this,” she said.

“You can’t? Did you realize you were applying to coach the men’s team?”

She frowned. “Yes. Is me being a woman going to be a problem?”

“Are you sure your capa?—”

“Were you listening, or do I need to run down my credential for you again?”

“Just because you sound good on paper?—”

“First of all, nigga, before you start with your chauvinistic bullshit, google me. I’m outta here.”

“But we’re not done.”

“Until you change your attitude, I’m done.”

She snatched the list from my hands, yanked the door open, and stormed away. I refused to chase after her and watched her until she disappeared around one of the corners.

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