Page 5 of The Penalty

“Text me later,” McKenzie says as Kylie leaves.

Then it’s just the two of us. Staring at each other in awkward silence.

THREE

MCKENZIE

Being up close and in person with Coach Danvers is more nerve-wracking than I expected. Or maybe I’m just thrown off by seeing him and Kylie together. It’s so obvious now, as I see them next to each other, that they’re related. The dark hair and dark eyes. Even their noses are similar. I wasn’t expecting Coach Danvers to have a daughter my age. He must’ve been a teenager when Kylie was born.

Not to mention, I had no idea that Tyler Danvers is absolutely gorgeous. I’m almost certain that’s one reason game attendance has skyrocketed since he started at La Vista and that most of the new attendees are women.

I take a few steps forward before I plant myself in the chair Kylie just left. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

“I didn’t,” he states matter-of-factly. His tone stings a little, but I school my reaction.

“Ok,” I say slowly. “Then thanks for allowing me to barge in on your morning.”

The corner of his lips tip up into an almost smile. Not that I’m looking at his lips or anything. “Sure.”

“As I said, I’m in Professor Moore’s Television Sports Reporting class this semester, and I’m the lucky student who got assigned to the football team.” Begged for the football team, actually. It’s a huge responsibility since it’s undoubtedly the most popular sport at the school, if not the entire state of Nebraska. But it’s also the most exciting. To me, anyway.

“I’ll also have a camera operator with me occasionally. Especially on game days.”

“Fantastic,” he says flatly. “So, what is it exactly that you need from me?” He looks at me with those dark eyes, and I almost forget why I’m even here.

“Access to practices and players for sound bites. Introductions to the other coaches. I’ll want to be on the sidelines with the team for the home games. Interviews at half time and after each game.” His shoulders go rigid as my list goes on, so I decide to stop there. It’s becoming extremely clear that this man doesn’t want me in his office and definitely doesn’t want me buzzing around the football team for the next few months. But that’s ok. I don’t need him to like me. I just need him to let me in the door so I can get my job done and ace this class. I won’t let one sour coach derail my plans of becoming a sports journalist.

“Fine. I’ll show you around the department, introduce you to my coaching staff, and then you can do your thing. You don’t need me to babysit you, right?”

“Nope. Absolutely no babysitting required.” I stand up and smooth my blouse down.

I swear his eyes track my hand as he stands and walks out of his office and down the hall.

I shake off the thought and quickly follow, careful not to let my gaze drop to his backside. It’s extremely difficult when his jeans fit him so perfectly. And it doesn’t seem fair that someone with such an attitude can be so attractive.

He stops abruptly, and I almost crash into him. That would’ve been embarrassing. I follow him through the door into the weight room.

“This is the weight room, obviously. During the season, the guys lift weights in here and do conditioning Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Practice is on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons so the team can have classes in the morning. Special teams have more of a focus on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sunday is a mandatory rest day for the team. Friday we review the playbook, watch game reels, and do a light practice to prepare for the Saturday game. If it’s a Friday game, we rearrange.”

“Ok.” I grab my little notebook and start jotting down info as he talks. He quickly turns, not giving me a chance to finish my notes, and walks back out of the gym. I walk and write as we take a turn down another hall. Coach knocks on the doorframe of an office and the man behind the desk lifts his head up.

“Coach. What can I do for you?”

“Hey, Zach. This is McKenzie. She’s a journalism student who’s going to be following the team around for the season.”

Zach smiles. At least there’s one friendly face around here. “Well, alright. Welcome to the team, McKenzie.”

“McKenzie, this is Coach Zach Beckham, our offensive coordinator.” Of course, I already know who he is. I’ve followed the team religiously. Tyler hired Zach to be his offensive coordinator his second year at La Vista and the two of them really work well together.

“It’s nice to meet you, Coach Beckham.” I take a few steps forward and shake his hand.

He points to Danvers. “Don’t let this guy give you a hard time.”

“He’s certainly trying his hardest,” I tell him and turn just in time to see Coach Danvers roll his eyes.

“We’re pretty sure it’s only child syndrome,” Coach Zach says with a laugh.

“Ah, yes. It all makes sense now.”