Page 6 of The Penalty

Coach Danvers doesn’t seem pleased with our little exchange, but I don’t really care. If he can dish it out, he’s got to learn to take it.

“See you in a few, Zach.”

Zach nods, which is my cue to leave.

We move on to the next office, and I’m introduced to the Defensive Coordinator, Travis Fisher. Coach Fisher has been at La Vista a few years longer than Danvers and was one of the only members of the previous coaching staff that Coach Danvers kept around. It was a good decision because the team has done nothing but grow.

While we’re standing in Travis’s office making our introductions, Hayes Manning, the star quarterback for the Bobcats, rounds the corner.

“Hey, Coach.”

“Hayes. What’s going on, son?”

“I was just thinking about that play from practice last night, and I want to talk to you about it.” I sense the moment Hayes notices me for the first time. Unfortunately, his gaze is nothing I’m not used to, but I do my best to ignore it.

“And who might you be, beautiful?” Oh God. He’s attractive with his messy blond hair and blue eyes, but I’ve heard the rumors of all the women he hooks up with, and I refuse to be one of them. I have standards, and throwing myself at a football player to be his girl of the week is not on my college bucket list.

Thankfully, Coach Danvers interjects so I don’t have to reject his quarterback in front of an audience. “Hayes, keep it in your pants. This is McKenzie. She’s going to be following the team this season for her journalism class.”

It’s good to know Coach isn’t a complete asshole. At least he wants his players to be respectful. After our less-than-stellar introduction, I was expecting the worst.

Hayes puts his hands up defensively, but the sly smile that exposes his dimple doesn’t fade. “Ok, ok. Excuse me for admiring a beautiful woman. I will do my best to keep my thoughts to myself during all future interactions.” He winks at me, and I can’t help but laugh. He’s charming, I’ll give him that.

“Alright, McKenzie, I’ve got to go work with Hayes. Feel free to do what you’ve got to do around here, and you know how to get in touch with me if you need me.”

“Clearly not through email.”

To my surprise, he chuckles. “Guess you’ll have to track me down. But try not to need me.”

“Got it.”

Without another word, the two men head back to Coach Danvers’ office. I look through a few more rooms, but there isn’t anything of interest. The players are either already gone or in the locker room, so there’s not much for me to do. I’ll come back tomorrow afternoon for practice so I have something for my first news segment.

I text Kylie, find out that she’s in the library, and meet her on the second floor. She’s sitting at a table by herself, surrounded by books and typing away at her laptop.

“Hey, how’d it go with Dad?” she asks to greet me.

“Eh. It was alright.”

“Oh no.” Her shoulders slump. “He wasn’t rude to you, was he?”

“Not rude per se.”

“Listen, I know he can come off a little gruff and unfriendly, but he’s not a bad guy. I can talk to him if you want. Get him to lighten up?”

“It’s alright. I can handle him. I guess I wasn’t expecting such a frosty interaction.”

She nods. “He’s not always like that. At home, he’s totally chill. But when he’s around football, he’s laser-focused.”

“Makes sense. But I shouldn’t have to deal with him too much.”

“Did he at least give you what you needed for today?”

“Yep. I’m going back tomorrow afternoon to watch the practice.”

“That sounds so boring,” she says and crinkles her nose.

I laugh. “Wait, you don’t like football?”