Page 12 of The Penalty

“I have a lot of brothers, so I grew up watching football. I loved watching them play and watching games on TV with them and my dad.”

“How many brothers do you have?” I ask. She mentioned them before, but I didn’t think to ask about them. I wasn’t sure I cared to know. But her face lights up when she starts to talk about them, so I’m instantly glad I ask.

“Four. I’m the only girl. Can you believe those odds?” She laughs.

“That’s a lot of testosterone.”

“Tell me about it. But I miss the hell out of all of them. We’re kinda scattered now and don’t get to see each other as much as we used to.”

I can relate to that. My entire family is back in Georgia. Kylie being here is the first time anyone has even bothered to come to Nebraska to visit. I miss my parents like crazy, but with my schedule, it’s nearly impossible to get down there to see them as often as I’d like.

“I feel like I should apologize for our first meeting. I didn’t mean to come off as an asshole. I’m focused on my team, and it seems like the school keeps sending other things outside of coaching my way. It has nothing to do with you, and I’m here if you need anything.”

She looks up at me, surprise in her eyes. “No need to apologize, Coach. You’re passionate about what you do. I can appreciate that.”

Passionate is one way of saying it. Most women tend to say obsessed when they realize I’ll never choose them over my team. It’s just the way it is, and I can’t see myself ever changing.

Speaking of that, the most important person in my life probably wishes I was a little less passionate about what I do. I hate that I leave her alone so much, but I feel like I don’t have a choice.

“How’s Kylie doing? Does she seem ok here?” I ask McKenzie before we reach the field house.

She thinks about my question for a moment before answering, “Yeah, I think she’s doing ok. I obviously didn’t know her before school started, but she seems happy. She’s always smiling and has a really positive attitude. I don’t think you need to be too worried about her.”

My shoulders relax a little hearing her words. I love Kylie so much and want what’s best for her. But if what’s best isn’t living here with me, I’m strong enough to take it.

“Good. Good.”

She nods and gives me a small wave before she takes off to the parking lot. “See ya, Coach.”

I head back to my office. I leave my laptop here because I know I’m only going home to eat, shower, and sleep in that order before I’m back here again tomorrow morning. There won’t be any time to do admin work anyway.

Kylie texted me earlier, letting me know that she made tacos for dinner. I hate that I couldn’t eat dinner with her, but I promised her things would be better once the season was over. She seems to understand that.

I’m hoping her friendship with McKenzie will help her build some ties to the area and maybe, just maybe, when she graduates, she might want to stay here with me.

Or, at the very least, understand why I’m here and what I’m doing. And that I’ve never been the bad guy her mother likes to make me out to be.

SIX

MCKENZIE

I made a mistake.

I rubbed my neck a few too many times when I was studying with Kylie before work, and she couldn’t help asking me what the hell was wrong with my neck. I tried to tell her that I just slept on it wrong, but then she started peppering me with question after question.

Do you sleep on your back? Yes.

How stiff is your pillow? Pretty stiff (considering it’s my car headrest)

Maybe you need a new one? No, I don’t think so.

Why not? Because I don’t technically have a pillow.

That’s when everything went to shit.

“What do you mean you don’t have a pillow?”

“Where I’m sleeping right now doesn’t have room for a pillow.” I tried to play it off casually like it was no big deal.