Page 208 of Their Cruel Play
“Okay.”
Jack brushes his lips over mine. “See you at the game.”
My body is a mixture of tingles and embarrassment as I turn to the coach. He nods to Jack before Jack heads toward the bus with the others, leaving me and Kenz alone with Coach Turner.
“My car’s this way.” He jerks his head as he picks up the equipment bag I hadn’t noticed before.
“Thank you for giving us a ride.” Kenz glances my way, but I don’t know what to say to this man. He’s had a much different relationship with Jack than I currently have. Jack didn’t have to share him with others. Was there potential for more there? Did Coach Turner hope for more?
Or were they a flash in the pan?
I could ask Jack. He might even tell me, but do I really want to know? Especially if I’m planning a future with all the guys?
I mean, it could all fall apart pretty quickly. In college, we’ll meet new people. Have new experiences. What if they decide I’m not really the girl for them? What if I follow them to college and end up on the outs with all of them and having to watch them walk around campus with someone new? Or five someone news?
“Why don’t you ride in front?” Kenz bumps into me as we approach the car.
Swallowing, I look at the man who, in my mind, Jack could have loved. Can Jack love me?
The coach watches me as he loads his bag in the trunk and unlocks the doors. The car smells like lemons and leather as we all get in.
“This is unconventional.” He turns the ignition. He glances at me and then he turns to Kenz. “We’re not going to talk about this at school, right?”
“Nope.” Kenz shakes her head, and he turns to me.
“No. And thank you for doing this.” I grip my hands in my lap. “My mom is working, and the last time the guys had an away game, someone pranked my house.”
He pulls out to follow after the yellow bus with the players. It’s getting dark earlier now, so I can’t see who’s sitting in the back seats, but I imagine it’s my guys.
“Jack said that some guys are taking pranks too far.” He keeps his eyes on the road. “Guys can be dicks in high school.”
“You’re not wrong.” I’m not sure what all Jack has told him. We’ve been keeping the locker room story amongst us for the time being.
“They grow out of it eventually.” Coach Turner’s lips curl into a smile. Yeah, I can see why Jack fell for this guy.
I glance over my shoulder to see Kenz typing on her phone. “Jack said you guys met over the summer.”
He glances at me with almost a look of panic.
“He didn’t say much, but I know he respects you.” I blow out a breath. “I don’t know a lot of adults who get their respect.”
“I barely qualify as an adult.” He scoffs. “A few years out of college and I’m supposed to be in charge of people close to my age. It’s kind of a joke.”
I nod. “There’s a lot of growing up that happens between high school and graduating college.”
That’s what I worry about. If we all change, how do we stay together? Maybe I should just worry about the here and now and not the future.
“People grow up. The whole world could change.” He nods thoughtfully and turns on the radio.
I want to ask him about Jack and who Jack was when they were alone. But it doesn’t matter. Not in the long run. They can’t have a relationship right now, but Jack and I can. Jack chose to be with me.
Straightening my jeans, I watch out the window as we leave the neighborhoods I grew up in and head to a different part of town. The high schools we play range in distance from us, with the farthest being an hour away.
“Hey.” Kenz grabs my shoulders from the back.
I turn to face her.
“Are you guys going to Sidney’s party tonight?”
