Page 19 of One Last Chance

“There you are, Chloe,” Tom says, coming through the hallway with Coach Collins. I know it’s Coach Collins because he’s been the Vixen Rapids’ coach for years, and I recognize him instantly.

“Chloe, so nice to meet you,” Coach Collins says, placing his hand out to me. I shake it and smile, then shake Tom’s hand.

“I see you brought your camera equipment,” Coach Collins says, pointing to it hanging over my shoulder.

“Thank you for having me here, Coach Collins.”

“Please, just call me Coach.”

“Okay, Coach.”

“Shall we go to my office?” Coach asks.

Smiling, I reply, “Sure.”

I follow behind Coach and Tom through the hallways, obviously heading toward his office. He opens two big doors, and the sound of clinking and grunts flow to my ears. Once we walk in the room, the smell of sweat hits my senses, and music’s blaring through the speakers.

Once Tom and Coach move aside, I come face to face with the team itself, training.

There is one player lifting weights admiring himself in the mirror, another is skipping with a rope, there’s at least seven on a treadmill, and there, right there, on the rowing machine is Domenic. Sweat glistens over his body as he stops mid-row when he sees me. He’s not wearing a top, so his muscles are on full display. The television doesn’t do him justice because he’s much bigger in person. He’s aged, but in a good way, his face seems leaner, but he still has that chiseled jaw. His hair is how I remember it. And those thighs, God, those thighs look bigger than tree trunks, full of muscles and veins.

I swallow hard, his eyes narrow when he looks at me, then they travel down my body, and when they reach mine again, he shakes his head and continues to row. Hurt fills me like never before—he didn’t even smile or say hello. The look he gave me screamed anger and regret.

Maybe I wasn’t that good in bed.

Maybe he’s glad I left after all.

“Miss Mason, this way, please.” Coach gestures.

I look up and see Coach and Tom are further ahead. I didn’t even notice that they had kept walking, being way too transfixed on Domenic. As I quickly catch up to them, whistles and dog barks sound from the other men around me. My cheeks are on fire. I know I should feel flattered, but I’m not. I’m too hurt at how Domenic looked at me as if I am a complete stranger.

What did I expect, anyway?

That he would get up to greet me?

Maybe even hug me and ask how I am?

Who am I kidding?What I did was wrong, and I know that now. I was a naïve teenager, and I’ve had lots of time to think about how I dealt with that night, and leaving him without even a goodbye because I was filled with guilt, was not the right way to handle the situation. I should have had the courage to tell Sophia what had happened rather than run like a child. And now, just looking at Domenic and how he reacted when he saw me, confirms how badly I did handle the situation.

Coach opens his office door and gestures for me to come in. “Please take a seat, Chloe.”

I walk over to one of the vacant chairs and take a seat, placing my briefcase and camera on the floor while Tom sits beside me.

“Drink, anyone?” Coach asks, walking over to a nearby fridge.

I take this opportunity to observe his office, and it’s magnificent. A dark oak desk looks over the football grounds. Modern floorboards and pictures of football players are displayed all around the room. Many trophies of championships line the shelves, and my eyes focus on a picture of Domenic and Coach together. Domenic has a trophy in his hand, and Coach has his arm around him. I remember that win. It was last year’s Super Bowl.

“Miss Mason?”

I glance over at Coach and reply, “Oh, sorry. Just water, thanks.”

“Tom?”

“Nothing for me, thank you.”

Coach nods once then grabs a bottle of water for himself and me. Handing one to me, I thank him and open the bottle taking a sip before I place it on the table.

“Chloe, we wanted you to meet us here today because we need to discuss something with you.”

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