I see it clearly in her eyes. They’re full of regret. This is because of last night.
I grasp her arm in desperation and I know in my gut my reaction has nothing to do with the team losing her and everything to do with me losing her. “Don’t quit. Just come to the first hour of practice.”
She gives me a slow shake of her head. “That wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the team.”
I pull her closer and lower my voice. “Please don’t do this, Addie.”
Her eyes connect with mine and the jolt nearly takes me to my knees. “You don’t want me here, Marcus.”
She releases me from her gaze and backs away, and that’s when I see Corinne and Melanie, standing near the locker room door with their heads together, watching us. Corinne’s phone is out, and my mind goes into damage assessment mode, replaying every second of my interaction with Addie.
I know she’s noticed our audience too and she’s playing it totally cool, like there’s nothing to see and no reason to be suspicious. She gets what this could mean for me, which is why she’s quitting. I should just let this happen.
“Thanks for the chance, Coach,” she says, hiking her bag onto her shoulder and heading out the gate.
Melanie splits off and follows Addie to the gate as Corinne slinks my direction. She slows as she nears.
“Is there something you needed, Corinne?” I ask, hiking my bag onto my shoulder in a clear indication that I don’t have time for her.
Her eyes follow Addie as she disappears around the corner of the gym. “Stopping by her house again tonight?”
I look her square in the eye. “Is there a point you’re trying to make?”
She shrugs. “I would just hate to lose the best coach we’ve ever had because word got out he was a little too into one of his girls.”
My insides are cement. “Corinne, this team is my priority. I’d hate for a silly misunderstanding to create a problem for all of us.”
“I’m sure we can work something out to our mutual benefit,” she says, slipping her hands into her front pockets and straightening her arms—a move designed for the sole purpose of enhancing her cleavage. “I mean, if you hung out with more of us than just Addie, no one could say you were playing favorites.”
“I’m not playing favorites, Corinne. If there’s something that you’re trying to get at, please do it so we can both go home.”
“All I’m asking for is equal time, Marcus.” She steps right up to me and starts to run a finger down my chest, but I step back, out of her reach.
“I value every member of this team equally. If you want to continue this conversation, I suggest we do it in the principal’s office Monday morning.”
She quirks an eyebrow, questioning me. “That’s what you want? Because he might be very interested in what I have to say.”
“I’ve got nothing to hide,” I say, holding my ground even though my lungs are seizing.
She pulls out her phone. “I can make all this go away,” she says, jiggling it. “All you have to do is take me home with you.”
I back away another step, my heart racing. But not as fast as my mind. I move through the gate. “I need you to leave, Corinne. I will be in Principal Monroe’s office Monday morning before school. If you have anything more to say, I expect you to do it there. Otherwise, this conversation is over.”
She pouts, but follows me through the gate. I lock it and turn for the faculty parking lot without looking back. I get in my truck and force myself to drive at a reasonable pace out of the lot, but once I’m a block away, I gun it and don’t slow down until I’m back at my apartment. I fold my arms over the steering wheel and rest my forehead on them, working to slow my whirring mind. Because if Corinne calls my bluff and shows up in Principal Monroe’s office Monday morning with pictures of me and Addie, I’m screwed.
Chapter 18
Addie
I wake up at dawn to the pound of a fist on the front door. My first thought is Becky’s home, but it’s Saturday and she’s not due until Wednesday.
I jump out of bed and grab yesterday’s shorts out of the pile of clothes on my floor. I tug them on and run on my toes to the door, trying to be quiet. I peek through the peephole and my heart skids to a stop.
Marcus is standing on my porch with a hoodie pulled over his head.
I yank the door open and he lifts his head. An unsure smile plays over his mouth. “What’s your schedule today?”
“Well…” I say, shaking off the shock of seeing him on my doorstep at six AM, “my general plan was to be sleeping right now. Beyond that, not much.”
“Good.” He nods at the door. “Mind if I come in while you get dressed?”
I step back and open the door wider. “What am I getting dressed for?”
“Can’t tell,” he says, stepping through and swinging it closed behind him. “It would ruin the surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises,” I grumble.