Page 34 of The Playbook

I must have been there for a good ten minutes, running through all sorts of scenarios in my head about how I could justify going in and talking to her without Coach going nuts on me. I still needed to get that date with her for the playbook. I had to get back on track. I was so far behind Andy, it was pitiful. I really didn’t want to have to move on to my last resort.

“Logan,” a deep voice called out, startling me.

“C-Coach, hey,” I stammered, clearing my throat.

He leaned on my driver side door and spoke to me through the open window.

“Why are you sitting in front of my house? Do you need something?”

“Uh, n-no. I mean, yeah,” I stumbled over my words like I’d never spoken before.

Coach regarded me with a raised eyebrow. It looked like he’d been out running. The dude was in immaculate shape. I had to give him that.

“Well, what do you need?”

“Uh, I, uh, I’m here to see Grace,” I answered, desperately trying to rack my brain for a believable reason. “We have homework for chem. It’s a big assignment.”

“Where are your books?” Coach continued, eyeing my empty backseat before giving me a look that said he knew I was bullshitting.

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I forgot them, Coach. I rushed out of the house so fast that I didn’t think to grab them.” I held my breath, waiting for him to tell me to kick rocks.

“Walker, am I not constantly lecturing you about being more responsible? You want to be the captain of the team, then you need to pull your head out of wherever you keep it. I let the team pick the captain, and they picked you. So, be the guy they need, Logan. Grades are important. If you want to keep playing, you’re going to need to get your priorities straight.”

“You’re right, Coach. I will. I’m going to.”

He sighed. “Come on. Get in the house. I’m sure Grace will have everything you two need. You could take a page out of her book. Grace should be someone you look up to.”

“I do, sir,” I said, climbing out of my Jeep, trying to hide how ecstatic I was at being invited in. “Grace is perfect. She’s smart. Funny. Beauti—”

“Stop right there, Walker,” Coach growled, turning on me. “Don't think I don’t know what you get up to in your free time. You’re a ladies’ man. The girls flock to you. My daughter will not be one of your conquests. Do you understand me?”

“A-absolutely, sir. I’d never dream of it.”

“Good,” he grunted, spinning around and walking again.

That had been like a near-death experience. I pulled in a deep breath. It dawned on me that if I was going to get Grace where I needed her, it would definitely have to be under Coach’s nose. The thought was terrifying and thrilling.

“Grace, you have company,” Coach called up the stairs.

I stuffed my hands in my pockets, wondering how she was going to react to seeing me standing there. I didn’t have to wait long to find out. I glanced around Coach’s house. The place was immaculate. Pristine, hardwood floors and leather furniture. Vaulted ceilings. Sky lights.

So this is what the salary of a former pro footballer got you. . .

“Logan?” Grace asked, her nose wrinkled. “What are you doing here?”

“We have to work on our big chem assignment. Remember?” I said, trying to communicate with her telepathically.

I clearly didn’t possess the gift. She raised an eyebrow at me.

“It’s worth, like, half our grade, Grace. How could you forget about it?”

“Maybe because it doesn’t exis—” she started, but I widened my eyes at her as Coach shot me a look that clearly said if she denied our work one more time, he was going to throw me out on my ass.

“Oh,” she muttered, shaking her head. “You’re right. I forgot. I guess I was too focused on my other homework.”

“Yeah, well, I’m here to do it.” I swallowed and glanced back at Coach.

“Go upstairs and get it done. Grace has a nice workspace.” Coach looked at Grace who paled.

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