Page 54 of Good Girl's Guide to Love
“He’s not handling his injury well,” Coach continues. “He was always a cocky guy. But it never crossed the line that became toxic for the team. But the guy who’s rehabbing now? He’s a different player than the one we signed two years ago. And I’m telling you this because, if you haven’t figured it out yet, he’s not fond of you.”
I laugh. “Yeah, he’s not exactly playing that close to his chest.”
“Just keep your head down,” he says. “I’m going to be having a talk with him, believe me on that. He might not be active right now, but that doesn’t mean he’s still not under contract. If he continues to cause disruptions like this, there will be consequences.”
And this is just one of the reasons I love Coach McAvoy. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned veteran, or a new guy he recruited off the streets, everyone is treated the same.
“Thanks, Coach.”
He holds up a finger, signaling that he’s not quite done. “And while I’m glad you didn’t hit back today, I think we need to talk about your actions this past weekend.”
He tosses a few pieces of paper on his desk, and I don’t need to lean in too far to see that it’s the first headlines that came out—the ones that leaned into how I almost clocked Dr. Dipshit.
“Do we need to talk about this?”
I shake my head, lowering my eyes for a second before I realize that I need to face this head-on with the man who’s giving me my life right now. “No sir. Temper slipped for a moment.”
He sits back in his desk, clasping his fingers together. “Over a girl?”
“Yes, sir. She’s…my girlfriend.”
The slight stutter was more because I don’t think I’ve actually said that word out loud since that night. It was one thing that night, when it was a game. But it’s not a game anymore. Well, not the same one. The stakes feel bigger.
“Wow,” Coach says. “No offense, but I didn’t see you as a commitment kind of guy.”
“None taken,” I say. “I guess you could say that when the right woman comes along, everything changes.”
“Don’t I know it.” I watch as my coach goes from this stern authority figure to his eyes softening as he looks over to a picture of his wife and their two sons. “I’m not going to tell you how to live your life, Kincaid, but you know you have a lot riding on this year.”
I nod, not needing to say anything else. He and I have gone over the terms of my contract, and behavior clauses, extensively.
One-year contract. If things go well, they plan to re-sign me. And when it comes to fighting? There are no three strikes. No second chances. The first time I throw a punch, I’m out of here.
Which I know means that my football career would be over. Completely.
“I understand, sir,” I say as I stand up. “I apologize for it almost happening this weekend. But in my defense, it was my girl’s ex, and he’s a dipshit who doesn’t listen to a woman saying no.”
This earns me a smile from my normally serious coach. “That helps. Slightly.”
He stands as well, reaching out for my hand. “I’m happy for you, but make sure this isn’t a distraction. This is a big season for us. For you. Just be smart.”
I nod in understanding. He’s right. It’s not just big, it’s huge. It’s everything.
And I can’t—no, I won’t—fuck it up.
guide to love rule #63
There’s a lot to learn about football when fake dating a player. You have to learn terms, signals, and to not stare at him in his pants.
16
ainsley
Ainsley
Good luck tonight! Catch all the balls!
Boyfriend
