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The truth is that I went through his playbook. I compared it to the calls that Mitch made on the field.
Most of the plays Mike brought in with him when he showed up stayed in the playbook. The ones that were used over and over were the ones Mitch had in the previous playbook.
“You can add whatever the fuck you want, but I’m a firm believer we need to take risks if we want to win. And as much as I appreciate your input, I’ll remind you that I was hired to make these sorts of decisions. We will continue taking risks, and you will add the plays I’ve drafted to the playbook. I’ll also let you know which plays I want out. Any questions?” My voice is firm, direct, and final.
“Can I finish my lunch? Or are you going to make that decision for me, too?”
“Finish your lunch.” My tone is clipped, and I see the resentment in his eyes when his gaze lifts defiantly to mine. Despite the look he gives me, he finishes lunch without another word.
He gets up and walks out, and I don’t like leaving things on that sort of note between the two of us.
But I also know he’s a professional, and part of his job is to defer to me.
He wanted this position. He didn’t get it, and I know he will fight me every step of the way because of that.
But I did get the position. Jack trusts me to do what’s best for the team—for my team—and my gut tells me that it isn’t using the same plays they used last year. We’ve got a new quarterback, a new tight end, and a new starting wide receiver. We can’t use the same plays we used last year because it’s just not the same team.
I push the anger I feel toward Mike to the back of my mind for now. I have a fake girlfriend to go chat with, after all.
And maybe a little rendezvous with my secret girlfriend, too.
Is that what she is?
I try to define it to myself on the way over to the address she texted me.
She’s not my girlfriend. Even back when we were actually together, we didn’t use those kinds of juvenile labels. We just simply were.
We were friends, and then we were together.
We were in love.
We were a lot of things. We were a step beyond the typical boyfriend and girlfriend relationships our friends had. And I think that’s why the end was so hard on both of us. It blindsided both of us, but because I was the one who broke it off, I wasn’t allowed a mourning period.
Especially not in front of my father.
And as I pull into the driveway of my destination, I can’t help but feel the pulse of excitement that I’m about to see her again.
I pray things end differently this time, but I’m just not sure how they can.
CHAPTER 24: JOLENE
Three short raps at the door and I know he’s here.
I’m ready to see him again, and it’s the sort of butterflies battering around my stomach that tell me this is more than just a weekend fling revisited.
It’s everything we had twenty years ago but amplified by the fact that we’re adults now and we’re keeping this huge secret from everyone dear to us because the people dear to me are not the people dear to him.
It’s a mess.
And it will remain a mess until we decide what to do. I don’t think either of us sees this ending well, but at the same time, I can’t seem to stay away…and apparently, neither can he.
I answer the door and usher him in toward Sam in the kitchen. “Samantha Reynolds, meet your new boyfriend, Coach Lincoln Nash.”
“I mean, we’ve met. But it’s a pleasure to be dating you, Coach,” Sam says, sticking her hand out across the counter to shake his.
He smiles as he sets down a manila folder onto the counter and shakes her hand. “This is…well, it’s interesting. I appreciate the effort and I’m happy to make your ex jealous in the name of hiding our relationship while we figure our shit out.” He nods toward me.
She laughs and glances over at me. “He’s funny, Jo.”
