Page 11 of First Time Coach

“Dirk,” Aubrey says. “Yeah, he’s hot.”

A flare of jealousy I’ve never experienced hits me like an unexpected slap to the face. I whirl on Brenda like I’m about to slap her in the face, and she actually leans away and puts up her hand.

“Whoa! What the Hell?” she exclaims. I realize I’ve just fucked up, and fumble around in an attempt to salvage the situation.

“You flinched!” I exclaim, forcing a laugh. Brenda looks at me like I’m crazy as she parks, then rolls her eyes and turns off the car.

“Crazy bitch,” she chuckles. “But yeah, that new coach? He’s hot as fuck. I’d love to take a ride on his pony, ya know?”

Aubrey laughs, but I’m biting my lip as we get out of the car and head for school.

“Yeah, but did you hear the rumor about him?” Aubrey asks. “He’s from like Australia or something—”

“New Zealand,” I correct her.

“Yeah, whatever,” she replies. “But I heard he had to leave the country because he was a sex offender!”

“Oh my God, really?!” Brenda laughs. “Like…little kids? Or just underage. Because if it’s just underage, I’m okay with that.”

“He’s not a sex offender!” I blurt out. “Are you guys stupid? He wouldn’t be able to work here if that was true!”

Both of my friends look at me like I’m crazy, and I realize that my reaction is completely out of character. Again, I try to salvage the situation and hide my craziness by cracking a big smile.

“Sorry, I had too much coffee this morning.”

“Girl, is it that time of the month or something too?” Brenda scoffs. “Because you’re losing it today.”

Phew, I think as we head inside. I take a breath and try to slow my heartrate as my eyes scour the halls for Coach. Unfortunately, I don’t see him. What I do see, is Trent leaning on the locker next to mine.

“We’ll leave you two alone,” Brenda says quietly. She grabs Aubrey by the arm and drags her away. My heart drops.

“Missed you yesterday,” Trent says, flashing me the smile that’s worked on so many other girls.

“I had detention,” I tell him as I tug open my locker, causing him to jump back.

“Yeah, well…you could have come after. The game went long.”

“Sorry, I had homework.”

Could I be more obvious that I’m not interested? But Trent either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care.

“We won,” he grins. “I scored.”

“Congratulations,” I say, glancing around, hoping that Coach will show up any second to rescue me.

“What do you say we hang out tonight?” he asks. “My folks are headed out of town. I’ll have the house to myself.”

“I’ve got homework tonight,” I tell him. I try to turn away, but he grabs me by the arm and pulls me back to him.

“Whoa, where you going?” he asks me. He sounds like he’s trying to soothe a wild horse or something. “You really gonna turn down the captain of the soccer team? I’m inviting you to my house to spend some time alone with me, Daisy.”

I want to vomit.

“I know, Trent,” I reply, trying not to freak out. “And I’m telling you that I. Have. Homework!”

With that, I whirl around and stride quickly away from him. I can feel my cheeks burning up as I round the corner and run straight into someone. I step back, trip over my own two feet and fall backwards. But two strong arms catch me and I look up into Coach’s dreamy eyes.

“Whoa, careful there!” he says loudly. He wants everyone to notice what he just did so it doesn’t look creepy that he’s got his arms around me. I try not to beam too brightly as he helps me to my feet. “This is why they say no running in the halls, Miss Rain.”

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