Page 54 of Worth the Scandal
We are both statues mid scuffle.
The silence is deafening.
“Kingston. My office. Now.”
I wish the field would actually open up into a sink hole and swallow me whole, this won’t be good.
Coach’s Office—11:03 AM
I sit, knuckles raw, breathing hard.
Coach closes the door behind him, leans against it, arms folded. His brows furrow beneath the rim of his Ridgebacks hat as his eyes peer out from underneath their greying thickness. Coach was a gun back in his day, now he’s getting on, but we all respect the fuck out of his wisdom. He’s got that natural dad vibe going you know. Like he’d give his heart and soul up for the people he loves, there’s been lots of moments these past two years that I’ve wished a man like coach was my dad instead of the ambiguous, arrogant prick I got for a father.
“Don’t let him get under your skin.” There it is, that dad vibe he oozes.
I stare at the floor. “He’s trying to get in my head, respectfully coach, he said things about Scarlett that—well he’s lucky he’s still fucking breathing.”
“He thinks he’s in love with my daughter, Asher. He’s had a crush on her since she wore pink glitter boots in the first grade. Scar turned him down her whole childhood and looks like she’s doing it now too then.”
I look up, startled. “Wait, seriously?” It’s all clicking, and my jealousy isn’t unwarranted Caleb the schemer has been hot for Scar the whole time.
“Dead serious. Drew a picture of their wedding in crayon and everything. Gave it to me when he was seven. Thought I’d keep it for the slideshow, I’m sure.”
I cough a laugh before I can stop it. The way he says things with a straight face, I’m not sure if the old man is pulling my leg or if he’s dead serious. I thought this chat was headed in a different direction. But fuck me I’m glad this is where we are headed.
Coach cracks the faintest smile. “It’s not about you. Not really. It’s jealousy. Pride. Caleb’s used to being the golden boy around here. He doesn’t like being replaced.”
I lean back in the chair. “I’m not trying to replace anyone.”
“You’re just trying to play footy, kiss my daughter, and not get murdered by a hose.”
“Exactly.”
He studies me for a beat, then sighs.
“Don’t give him a reason to doubt you. He’ll find one if you let him.”
I nod. “Got it.”
“Now get out of my office before I actually get mad,” he mutters.
As I stand to leave, he adds, “And tell Collins if he makes a meme out of this morning, I will revoke media privileges for the season.”
He clears his throat again “and Kingston, wipe that smile off your face, I can’t have my players thinking I’ve gone soft. You leave this room like you just got your ass handed to you, capiche?”
I give him a deadpan “Yes, sir”
Group Chat: The Dawg House
Collins: “KINGSTON’S BAPTISM: DAWSON’S EDITION”
Photo: Me mid-sprint, hoodie drenched, face furious
God help me.
Scarlett is going to love this.
Chapter Twenty Two - Scarlett
