Page 49 of Chasing Football Dreams

Coach Shane shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "We are just working on some plays for the championship,"

"Angela told me about the blood results,"

Coach Shane and I froze at his statement. As far as I am concerned Coach Shane and myself were the only ones who knew about the results.

"We only received the results this morning," Coach Shane noted.

Benjamin's face didn't transform like he had no emotions, but his eyes told a different story when they were filled withsuspicion. "Oh, yeah. She only told me that you ran blood tests because you were suspecting Zoey to be your daughter,"

His dark, untrusted eyes shifted to me as he said daughter. Like he had difficulty saying the word.

I didn't have to look at Coach Shane to notice that he was skeptical, but he didn't say anything.

"We were going to keep it a secret for a while as you know the finals are coming up and Zoey and her team need to focus on the weekend,"

"So, Zoey is your daughter?" Benjamin asked.

There was a quiver in his voice as he tried to cover his disbelief.

Coach Shane looked at me, smiling as he nodded. "Yeah, my daughter was alive all this time just like I told everyone,"

He playfully bumped my shoulder before he rested his arm over my shoulders, pulling me against his side. His hand wiped away the cynical shudders in my spine with a comforting stroke.

"Go get cleaned up and then I will drop you off at home,"

I nodded and headed for the locker rooms. I took a quick shower and went out to meet Coach Shane in the parking lot but instead, I found myself alone with Benjamin.

He didn't seem too thrilled to be stuck with me. He couldn't fool me with his forced smile and small talk. He was acting weird from the moment he met me. He made it obvious that a girl's place wasn't on the field as a football player.

"I don't know what game you are playing or who you think you are. But you are not his daughter. I witnessed his daughter get buried,"

I didn't blink at his words or care about his judgment. I was prepared for this moment since I suspected Coach Shane was my father.

"I was there to help him, and his wife survive the trauma of their daughter. I will not let you destroy them again,"

"You should tell them now that this was some kind of sick joke before I tell them how you played both of them,"

Shock rushed through my veins as I listened to him falsely accusing me. "I am not playing any kind of sick game," I defended myself as I felt I had the right.

"I know all about your obsession with Shane Martin. You suddenly made the team miraculously before he picked your team,"

He took a dangerous, intimidating step towards me and crowded me with his height. I felt a sense of panic overbearing me making me take an instinctive step back, but he grabbed me by the upper arm. I winced when he dug his fingers into my skin. I shoved him away from me and pulled my arm free when my instincts kicked in.

"Don't touch me!" I screamed at him, backing away from him.

"Hey! What's going on?" Coach Shane ran up to us. Benjamin backed away from me, lifting his hands in the arm pretending that he didn't do anything.

"I should go home," I stated, pulling my phone from my hoodie and noticing that I had missed calls from Duncan.

"Zoey, I will drop you off," Coach Shane offered.

"No. I am fine. I grew up walking the streets," I walked away, biting down on the inside of my cheek as I still felt his fingers digging into my skin.

I wanted to run but that would only alarm Shane. This was a mistake. I shouldn't have looked into my case. No one will believe that I am his daughter, not even blood tests are enough to prove my case.

I dialed Duncan's number not having to wait long for him to answer.

"Hey, where are you? I am at your dorm room, but they say you already left,"

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