Page 51 of Chasing Football Dreams

"I am starting to think that you are addicted to your job," Brenda conceded when I joined her at the counter to top up coffee.

I shrugged. It was no big deal working my normal shifts. I am after all the same girl I was six months ago. Working a job to pay off my debt and eat. Even when Duncan can afford to take care of us both. It wasn't my desire to become a trophy wife. I wanted to say in charge of making my own money.

"You don't want me here?" I asked, fake batting my eyelashes.

She rolled her eyes at me. "Don't let me remind you that you are not too old to receive a beating,"

I covered my laugh and headed out to help the rest of the tables. Stopping in my tracks when Coach Shane stood in front of me. I left yesterday in a rush to get away from that creep he calls his best friend. I was aware that he would come and findme. I just thought that he would at least give it more than a few hours.

"Coach? Can I get you anything?" I asked, clearing my throat.

His eyebrow arched. "Coach?"

I shrugged, my eyes shifting from side to side as the jitters started to sink in. I just blew my only defense. Not even the offense can help me out of this sticky situation.

"From when are we back to you calling me coach?" He asked.

I jerked my shoulder. "I don't recall that I called you anything besides coach,"

His eyebrow arched higher, and it became all clear to me that I was digging a deeper grave for myself.

"Can we talk?" He asked, pointing at a table.

"I am working," I excused and headed to grab my order.

I avoided Brenda's gaze as I picked up the order. I made it my mission to find anything to do that would let me make me look busy, but Brenda picked up what was going on when she saw Coach Shane taking a table.

"Go, talk to him," Brenda urged taking the tray from my hand.

"I don't know if it is a good idea,"

"From when you are a coward?"

I scowled. "I am not a coward,"

I looked in the direction of Shane. He was sitting patiently waiting for me.

"Fine but can I take his order first since I have been avoiding him?"

Brenda clicked her tongue at me. "No, you go take a seat, and will get Cindy to come over to take your order,"

I untied my apron and handed it over to her before going over to his table. I gazed out the window not knowing if I could afford to look him in the eyes and lie.

“What happened, Zoey? What did Benjamin say to you?"

My gaze snapped to meet his questioning gaze. “It doesn’t matter,” I looked away, catching Cindy coming over.

"Hi, I am Cindy," She introduced herself. "You must be Zoey's father," She asked with an innocent gesture not knowing about the harsh truth lurking before her.

Coach Shane looked at me, nodding his head at her realizing that Brenda was the only one aware of my circumstances.

"You must be proud of her," Cindy said grinning.

Coach Shane exhibits his confusion making her explain. "Zoey is a top student and playing football,"

"He knows. He's my coach," I informed her.

Her mouth formed an "o" when she realized what was going on. "I am just going to give in the order,"

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