Page 5 of Dear Coach's Daughter
I wince, wishing I could go back and stuff a pair of rolled-up socks in my mouth to keep me from asking that last question.
“We met last night. Just in passing. It was nothing.”
Her words cut through me like a knife in my chest. It was nothing? I thought that we shared a connection, but I guess that it was only on my side.
"Why didn't you say anything, son?"
I look at Coach and shake my head. “I didn’t know, sir.”
He studies my face like he's looking for some sign that I'm not telling the truth. But I genuinely didn't know. I mean, everyone knows Coach's daughter's name. He named her after the team that gave him his start back in the day, but that wasn’t the name she gave me. And I’m starting to realize why.
“Dad, we have thatappointmentto get to,” Brownie says, her eyes widen on the word “appointment” like she’s trying to say something without saying it in front of me.
“Delaney, you can go. Good job today. Keep focusing on the job ahead of you.”
“Yes, sir.” I stand up.
“Brownie, I’ll meet you outside. I have to make a quick call before we go.”
She sighs dramatically. "You have three minutes, and then I'm coming back in here to drag you out kicking and screaming if I have to."
It’s adorable how she tries to look like she is annoyed, but it’s clear deep down she’s not mad.
I follow her out of the office, secretly grateful that I’m going to get a chance to talk to her. I wait until we both walk out of the locker room and into the hallway that is deserted before I grab her hand and pull her to a stop.
“Why did you lie?” I ask, needing to know the truth from her lips without my assumption.
She looks at me like she’s offended. “I didn’t lie.”
“You said your name was Bea.”
“It is. I go by Bea. It’s easier than having to explain my name to people who don’t know and think my parents named me after a stupid dessert.”
“Brownies are my favorite,” I say without thinking.
She stares at me like that was the last thing she was expecting me to say.
“Well, duh.” She throws up her hands like what I said is the most obvious thing. “They are amazing. But it’s not a name you give your kid.”
I reach out and push a loose strand of hair from her face. “I think it’s fitting. Both are sweet and delicious to eat."
Her mouth drops open, and her cheeks flush nearly as pink as her full lips. A deep voice clears its throat behind us, making us jump apart.
“Let’s go, kiddo,” Coach interrupts. I don’t miss his thick eyebrow ticking up again. “Delaney.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You better rest up tonight. Tomorrow is going to be a grueling practice.”
I don’t miss his double meaning. He saw everything, and he's going to make me pay tomorrow. I steal one more glance at Brownie before I nod and head out to the player's parking lot.
She’s worth every wind sprint I will be running tomorrow.
