Page 56 of Sweet Spot

It was nice to hear that from someone else. “I just need to get through this road trip. Everyone can know after that.”

June leaned closer. “What’s going on?”

“Eli thinks there’s some trouble with the coaching staff. Isaac had no idea what Eli meant and so far no one has mentioned anything. I didn’t see anything wrong at the game either. Maybe Eli is more paranoid than I realized.”

But June chewed her lower lip. “So…he’s not wrong.” She glanced back at the bus. “Sometimes the coaches forget we’re there. The trainers, I mean. We kind of blend into the background. We hear things.” She glanced back again. This time I followed her line of sight to where Gordo was speaking animatedly with Rhett.

“Gordo?” That would be a stab in the back for Isaac if that were true.

“Paredes. He was in line to take over as bench coach this season, if things went to plan. But then retirement and selling the team changed things. Stirling hired Anson and Anson hired Gordo. Paredes is pissed, but instead of dealing with it or talking about it with Anson or even Gordo, he’s fuming behind their backs.”

“Does Rhett know?”

“I suspect he’s telling Gordo something along those lines right now. During the game tonight Paredes intentionally ignored a call from the dugout and Rhett heard him say he wasn’t ‘paid for this shit.’”

Yeah, that wasn’t good. And definitely changed my whole plan when it came to the coaching staff. “Paredes lied to me during his interview. He said he was happy with his position and had no issues.” Actually, the more I thought about it, the more I remembered how his interview felt just a little off. He was too easy going. Too eager to please.

“What does he think he’s going to accomplish behaving this way?”

June shrugged. “He’s a man. They usually think being angry fixes things.”

Back at the hotel we all trudged off the bus, exhausted and ready for bed. June said goodnight and disappeared into her room. I tossed my bag on the bed and washed my face, hearing similar sounds of water and banging coming from her room. I didn’t know how they did it all the time. Play a game, get on a plane, fall into a hotel room, then a few hours later up and ready for another game. I didn’t even play the game and I was too tired to stand.

The urge to curl up beside Isaac was strong.

After slipping into my bathrobe and slippers I grabbed my phone and keycard, slipping down the hallway to Isaac’s room. He stood waiting in the doorway with a silly, sexy grin on his handsome face.

“Confident.”

“Naw.” He closed the door, shirtless and wearing only pajama pants. “Hopeful. And more than willing to stand out there like a fool for an hour or two.”

“You’re not a fool.” I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.

He kissed me back. “My father texted me during the game. Do you know what he said? I saw the ice cream girl on the TV. Ask her out. She’s sitting next to the dugout.” His eyes danced with amusement. “I think it’s safe to say my family likes you.”

“I like them too.”

He settled into my neck and breathed me in. “I’m so fucking tired.”

“We should get to bed.” I had already decided I wouldn’t say anything to Isaac about Paredes until I absolutely needed to.

“Just give me another minute.” He kept breathing deeply as he held me.

My hands wandered over his bare back, the feel of his skin lulling me deeper into exhaustion.

“Okay. Sleep.” He gave my hand a squeeze before moving to close the curtains and double check the door. We slid under the covers, Isaac spooning me, the pillows soft under my head.

As I drifted off to sleep I decided I liked sneaking off to sleep in the coach’s bed.

20

Isaac

I drifted on a cloud with Kate. The sun was bright and warm. I had my body wrapped around hers. She fit perfectly and we breathed together. It was heaven.

Until the banging started. At first it was soft and way off in the distance. Somewhere beyond the sun. Almost like a clock ticking. I wanted to have sex under the sun on the cloud. When we woke up that’s exactly what we’d do. I would open all those big curtains up and let the sun pour in. And then we’d spend the rest of the morning making love. Yes. That was the perfect way to spend the day.

But then the banging got louder and closer. I woke with a start. Kate lay on her stomach, her bare back on display with the sheet pushed down to her waist. A little light escaped the curtains but not much. It was definitely morning.

---