Page 50 of Just One Season
“I’m deeply disappointed I didn’t get called a cute animal name.” Kellen puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me down the hall back toward my office.
“I couldn’t think of one! The only thing that came to mind were farm animals. Like chicken. Ohhh, that would’ve been cute! I’m saving it for another time.”
We stop in front of my office.
“That was fun, Lucy Knox.”
“Glad I entertain you.”
“You always do. See you tomorrow at soccer?”
I nod, and with that, Kellen heads down the hall and disappears into the players’ gym.
CHAPTER 14
Coach Lucy
KELLEN
Wednesday, October 2
Soccer practice is in full swing when I approach Bri on the side of the field. Ava and her nine teammates are running around chasing a soccer ball like a swarm of bees—maybe scrimmaging?—and absolutely tripping all over each other. I’m not sure they even realize there are two distinct teams.
I’ve been smiling all day thinking of the meeting with Claire yesterday. How were we supposed to know she had an attack Chihuahua loose in her office?
“Hey,” I say to Bri, who’s watching the kids with her arms crossed loosely.
“I have so many opinions on this situation,” she says without looking my way or including a greeting.
“Yeah? You met Lucy?”
“Sure did. I’m just confused as to why she would volunteer to step in as coach for a bunch of five-year-old kids she doesn’t know.” She shakes her head. “They are cute but have literally no idea how to play soccer.”
“Because she’s a nice person? She misses coaching kids, like shedid back in D.C., remember?” I watch Lucy as she gently positions children in the correct spots on the field, her curls secured in a ponytail. “She needs something to do to keep her mind off her cheating ex and overbearing father?”
Bri turns to stare at me.
Lucy squats down next to Ava and says something that makes my daughter laugh, then Lucy points to one of the other players. Ava nods and appears to be paying attention.
“She’s really good with them. With Ava.” I gesture to the field and Bri turns back to watch Lucy.
“Yeah, she is.”
“I know we don’t usually invite people to hang out with our kid like this.”
“True.”
“But she’s Atticus’s sister. She’s been background checked recently. And she even provided a reference to the elementary school where she coached last.” The head of recreation at Ava’s school had called Lucy’s last team, and they did nothing but rave about her.
“You already convinced me.” Bri huffs out a chuckle. “And you need to do whatever you have to do to convince Paul Harrison you’re not interested in his wife. Like maybe never look at that woman again.”
I groan. I agree, but it’s easier said than done.
On Sunday, I stopped by Bri’s house and told her all about the fake dating plan. She was surprisingly chill about everything, mostly because she’s just as worried about me getting traded as I am. It affects all of us.
Lucy blows a whistle and tells the kids to take a water break. Ava sprints in our direction.
“Daddy! You’re here!”
