Page 13 of Coach's Pet

I shift in my seat and wonder how a simple text can turn me on. I debate what to say when the bubbles pop up again.

Coach Shay: Answer me, little girl.

Me: Little girl?

Coach Shay: I have to remind myself.

That annoys me because for a second a hot lick of desire went through me at him calling me that. Now I know he only did it to remind himself I’m off limits.

Me: Well, keep reminding yourself then… Daddy.

Two can play that game. Why is he texting me if he told me to stay away from him? Better yet, why is he showing up at my house?

Coach Shay: Don’t make me ask again.

Me: How did you get my number?

Coach Shay: Charlotte…

I can hear the warning in his text, and it makes me smirk.

Me: Daddy….

“Hey.”

“Holy shit!” I almost jump right out of my seat before I press my phone to my chest and hide the screen.

“Sorry,” Tins whispers.

“Charlie,” Ms. Lanaster scolds us from behind her desk.

“Sorry,” I say, and she gives me a curt nod before going back to her book.

Perhaps I should become a librarian and dedicate my entire day to reading. I’m guessing that's not the norm, but it’s always what she’s doing. I could get behind that.

“Why are you so jumpy?” Tins sits down in the chair next to mine.

“You surprised me.” In truth, I don’t want to get Coach Shay in trouble. I need to change his name in my phone, and I already have one in mind.

“What are you doing?” she asks. I click my mouse, causing the computer screen to light up. “Oh, you’ve never mentioned colleges.” Tins perks up a little more. “Where are you applying? We could end up in the same place.”

“I’m not sure I’ll go to college, but I have to fill out a few for an assignment.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders drop.

“You?”

“I’ve applied to a handful.” Tins lists them off, and although there are a lot of them, I’m sure she can get into any she wants. She’s wicked smart.

“Some of those are pretty far,” I say, and Tins shrugs.

She’s clearly trying to get as far away from this place as possible. I'm starting to put together that Tin doesn't love being in her home. The only person she really ever speaks about is her father, and most of the time he sounds absent.

I catch a glimpse of Coach Shay entering the library, and I lick my lips. When I feel his gaze on me, my heart starts to race.

“Coach Shay is here,” Tins whispers.

She asked me a few questions about him after I left his office. I'm not sure what clued her in that something happened, but she didn’t miss the connection.

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