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He laughs. “I like you, Bailey. I think this is going to be a great fit for the Aces, and to that end, I’d like to offer you the first exclusive interview with our new head coach. We’re scheduling the press conference for tomorrow at four, so swing by around two to meet our guy and ask a few questions ahead of the rest of the media. That should give you a little time to produce it for a segment on the six o’clock news, right?”
“Are you serious?” I breathe. He’s giving me the first exclusive with the new coach?
“I am. And you’re welcome. Now clear on out of here. I have a lot of work to do since I just hired a new head coach.” He winks at me, clearly signaling that he’s not going to give me any more than that, and I laugh as I stand.
“Thanks for everything, Jack,” I say, rising to a stand. “For the exclusive, for taking the time today…I know you’re a very busy man and I appreciate your willingness to include the media in all aspects of the team. I look forward to working closely with you to share the very best of the greatest team in the league.”
He stands and reaches out a hand to shake mine. “Thanks, Jolene. I look forward to working with you, too.”
I head out after that, and I think about wandering the halls toward the head coach’s office, but I also know there are cameras in here and the worst thing I could do right now is break the trust Jack has in me.
And so I force myself in the direction of my car. The boys are at school and Sam is at work today, so I head into the office and start doing some research.
Just as I arrive, a text comes through.
Jeremy: Can’t take Jonah this weekend. Sorry.
I blow out a breath.
I hate him.
I wish with all my heart it wasn’t him who knocked me up, but I can’t change it, and if it was someone else, then I wouldn’t have my sweet boy who means the entire world to me.
He’s letting his son down again, and maybe my claws wouldn’t come out so much if he was actually a good dad, but it seems like all he does is let the two of us down.
I wish I could cut Jeremy out of the picture completely, and I’ve been trying. He’s basically useless given that the court ordered he takes Jonah every other weekend and it’s hit or miss whether he’ll actually take him. When he does, I usually spend the entire weekend either worrying about or missing my son while I’m eating ice cream with Sam since Cade goes to his dad’s house every other weekend, too. I wait by the door for him to get back home. My house is too quiet without him, and I hate it. He doesn’t like going over there because Jeremy is married with two little girls who scream all weekend and hang on their half-brother. He can’t wait to escape and get back home, and Jeremy uses him to entertain the girls even though Jonah is only seven.
I was planning to celebrate my job promotion this weekend. I don’t drink very often, but a night out with Sam at the local bars sounded like a whole lot of fun. And maybe we can still do that if my parents will take Jonah for a sleepover, but I hate the mom guilt of feeling like I’m using a sleepover as a way to pawn him off so I can get a night to myself once in a while. I have those nights every other weekend—or, at least, theoretically I do.
Parenting is no joke. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had, and having to do it alone makes it even harder given that Jeremy is such a waste of space. But it’s worth it when I look my little boy in the eyes that match mine. I love him more than I’ve ever loved anybody before.
Aside from the Jeremy bullshit, my life is good. I have the sweetest little boy, incredible parents, and the best friend in the whole world, plus I just snagged my dream job.
Now if I could just find a guy who isn’t a complete asshole, I’ll really have it all.
CHAPTER 10: LINCOLN
The first order of business will be meeting with the current players. Since it’s the offseason and the first day back is still nearly a full month away, Jack puts out the call that a new coach has been hired, and tomorrow before the press conference I’ll be meeting with the players to introduce myself.
He offered me a lecture room. I’m more of a locker room kind of coach. The locker room is the place where I’ll spend the most time talking to my team. A conference room or lecture room or meeting room feels too formal.
The next order of business will be assembling my coaching staff.
I already have some key names picked out, but I’m not demolishing the group that’s been here. This team is coming off a Super Bowl win, after all.
We’ve lost some big talent. Our star quarterback, tight end, and wide receiver all retired with the former head coach, but the coaching staff is pretty solid.
A new offensive coordinator that was brought in last year proved his playbook on the field last year, so I’ll be keeping him around even though I don’t agree with all of his plays nor his conservative style.
Defense is solid, so I won’t mess with our defensive coordinator, either. Position coaches come and go, and I have a few in mind.
I’ve also got my eye on filling the holes the retiring players left behind.
Brandon Fletcher is a solid back-up quarterback, but he’s no Jack Dalton. I saw some great prospects coming out of the Combine, but our draft position probably won’t allow us to score the best prospects unless we can trade up for one.
We’ve got options, and Jack hired me to manage the best team in the league. Together with Steve, we will select the best players to fill those positions.
I start with the first person I think of when I think of wide receivers. The one man I’d want to bring in on my staff that knows these players and knows this team, a man who played the game a long time and still has ties to this organization since his brother owns the team. And like his brother, I played against him many years ago. We’re old acquaintances and I’d love to rekindle that friendship now that we’re in the same town.
