Page 9 of The Penalty

“Well, you didn’t accept his marriage proposal so that’s a pretty good tell,” Coach Zach says. I like him. He’s chill. And even though he’s tough on his players, you can tell they respect him. Plus, he still knows how to have fun.

“Very funny, Coach. Laugh at my broken heart.”

“Somehow, I think you’ll survive,” I tell him before I look at Danvers. He’s actually smiling, almost like he’s (gasp) also having fun.

“Where’d you learn to play ball like that?” he asks me.

“My brothers all played growing up. They showed me a thing or two.”

“At least we know the person who’ll be reporting on us this season actually knows the game,” Coach Zach says before turning to head off the field. “I better get going. The wife will be expecting me home soon. Come on, QB, you need a shower. You’re never gonna impress her smelling like that.”

Hayes starts walking backward toward the locker room. “What’s your favorite scent, McKenzie? I’ll wear whatever you want.”

“My favorite scent is ‘not a football player.’”

He clutches his heart and fakes disappointment before turning and running off, leaving Coach Danvers and me alone on the field. We start walking back slowly.

“I think you might be the first woman to ever reject that boy,” he tells me.

“Well, it had to happen sooner or later.”

“It’ll probably make him even more interested.”

I laugh. “Great.”

Coach Danvers collects his stuff off the bench while I grab my bag and camera. I expected him to be gone before I collected everything, but when I turned around, he’s standing there waiting for me.

“Big plans tonight?” he asks.

“Well, it appears I’ve got to make a trip to the laundry mat.” I gesture down at my grass-smudged pants.

He grimaces, his eyes roaming down the front of my body. Not exactly the reaction I want when a man as attractive as he is looking at me, but I’m hoping it’s due to the stains and not my body.

“Make sure you soak them first. My mom also taught me to use vinegar on grass stains. It’s been working for me for years.”

I’m not sure why, but I find it incredibly adorable that he just talked about his mom so easily like that.

“Good to know. I’ll make sure to pick some up.” Maybe. My car insurance payment is due this week, so my budget is even tighter than normal. “What about you? Big plans?”

As soon as the question is out of my mouth, I hope it’s not inappropriate to ask him that. But he asked me first, so it’s really just making conversation. Which makes me wonder why he’s making conversation with me. We could’ve easily walked back to the field house in silence. He doesn’t seem like the type to talk just for the sake of talking.

He huffs a laugh. “Nah. I’m headed home. Hopefully hanging out with Kylie for a bit before she goes to bed.”

“She mentioned she was making teriyaki chicken for dinner,” I tell him. I only remember because my stomach growled when she told me earlier as we were walking across campus. It’s like my stomach already knew I’d be eating another peanut butter sandwich for dinner.

“She spoils me. It’s nice having her around.”

Kylie has been talking so much to me about her dad. I get the sense that she doesn’t want it broadcast around that she’s his daughter, and since I already know, it’s easier for her to talk to me. I can understand that. It must have been difficult having everyone know who your dad is growing up. It’d be even more difficult here at La Vista, where Tyler Danvers was practically a god.

She’s mentioned that he’s not home as much as she hoped he would be, but she tries to cook him healthy dinners a few times a week. She also called him a workaholic, but I think that maybe she doesn’t understand what goes into coaching a college football team. And like Coach Zach said earlier, Danvers has a lot riding on his shoulders.

Then, as if he suddenly realized he was talking to me, the annoying student reporter who’ll be showing up unannounced at practices, he quickly picks up his pace and says, “Have a good night, McKenzie. Don’t forget to soak those jeans.”

“Yep. Got it. Thanks.”

And then he’s gone, leaving me alone on the sideline.

This afternoon did not go as I expected. From the look on Coach Danvers’ face when I showed up to practice, I thought I’d be kicked off the field. And I certainly did not expect to toss the ball around with a Super Bowl winner. My brothers are going to freak out when I tell them.