Page 61 of Whistle

I glanced down at Kruger’s goggle-covered face as he congratulated Landry from the water. “If zombies ate your brain, they’d starve.”

“Harsh,” Kruger quipped.

“Start swimming!”

He hesitated.

“What’s the problem?” I barked.

“Kinda afraid to leave you alone with her, Coach. You might make her cry.”

“I’m not gonna make my daughter cry!”

Rush appeared, dripping wet with a swim cap on his head and goggles perched on top. Landry squealed when his arms snaked around her from behind and pulled her in. “Jason! You’re getting me wet.”

“You okay over here, baby?”

I belched. These kids gave me acid reflux. “Rush, what did I tell you about PDA with my daughter at the pool?”

“You don’t have to keep reminding us she’s your daughter, Coach. We know.”

I swung to glare at Kruger. “Less breathing, more swimming.”

Grimacing, he went underwater and swam away.

When I turned back, Rush was still hugging my daughter. I gave them a little mood music. With my whistle.

“Dad, seriously,” Landry said, rubbing her ear. “What is wrong with you?”

“Why would you think something is wrong?” I questioned.

“Because you’re sweatier than a nun in a cucumber patch?” Jamie mused, pulling himself out of the pool. Water rained off his wide frame and splattered the tiles as he lifted the goggles off his eyes.

“That was inappropriate, Owens. Five extra laps.”

“Funny, though.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Making jokes at the expense of ladies of the Lord is not funny.”

Jamie blinked. “Ladies of the Lord?”

Landry giggled.

“Is that what nuns are called?” Jamie asked.

I should retire. Move to the Bahamas. Buy a boat. I could live in the middle of the ocean and never see a soul.

“Ryan!” Jamie bellowed.

“This is not bro time, Owens. Back in the pool.”

Walsh appeared, hoisting himself out of the water the same way Jamie had just moments before. In the lane beside him, Wes followed suit, and the two swimmers shook their arms out as they came over.

“What’s up, bro?” Walsh asked Jamie.

“Bros,” Jamie said, turning to the other two. The three of them were joined at the hip. Made me crave vodka.

“Did you know that nuns are called ladies of the Lord?”

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