Page 22 of Coach's Pet

Attached to the message is the same photo of Charlotte and me in my truck. That motherfucker. I check, and it’s the same number Charlotte has programmed into her phone for Parker.

“Coach, it’s time,” Coach Bill says through the closed door.

With a pit in my stomach, I shove Charlotte’s phone back in her bag and put mine in my pocket. The rest of the team takes the field, but I hang back and keep my eyes on Parker. He’s in the back of the pack, and he’s still butthurt about me benching him. At first I thought that’s why he was doing it, but it’s clear from his messages to Charlotte that he’s got a bigger motive.

As impossible as it might be, I play it cool the rest of the game. I keep an eye on Parker and every once in a while glance back at Charlotte in the beaver costume. Once, she catches me watching her, and I swear I think she winks at me.

I keep my focus until the game is over and we secure another victory. On the way back to the locker room, I watch to make sure Parker is ahead of me, and I grab Charlotte’s attention.

“Go straight home,” I tell her when she comes to a stop.

“But what about this?” She waves to the Bucky uniform, and I see her two friends walk up behind her.

“Tinsley, I need you to take Charlotte home. Now. Bennett, she'll get the costume to you tomorrow.”

“My bag’s in your office. My phone is in there.”

“It’s not important right now,” I tell her, and even I can hear the anger in my voice.

“Is everything okay, Coach Shay?” Bennett asks.

Tinsley’s eyes bounce between me and Charlotte, and there’s a knowing look in her expression. It’s not something I need right now even though Charlotte has told me many times what a good friend she is.

“It’s fine. I just need to be alone with my team.”

I nod to Charlotte, and I hope it’s enough for now. She’s still got that damn beaver head on, so I can’t know for sure. I just have to hope that she trusts me.

When I get to the locker room, I see most of the guys have cleared out. Coach Bill is still talking to Parker like I asked him to. I wanted to make sure I could get Charlotte out of here before he could get to her.

“I’ve got it, Bill, thanks,” I tell the coach and pat him on the shoulder as he retreats. “I need to talk to you,” I tell Parker.

His expression changes from bored to cocky as he raises his chin. “Oh yeah? What about?”

“Your position as starting quarterback.” I cross my arms over my chest, and a flash of anger passes in front of his eyes. He’s quick to hide it, but I didn’t mistake the anger I saw.

“What about it?”

“I’m moving Dawson up to starting and moving you to backup.”

I watch as his jaw clenches and his hands turn to fists at his side. “You’re making a huge mistake.”

“We’ll see about that.”

I have to force myself not to think about all the messages he sent to Charlotte. And then I have to remind myself that although he’s eighteen, I can’t put my hands on him.

He’s silent as I check my watch to make sure enough time has passed.

“You can go now.” I nod at Parker and then head to my office to collect Charlotte’s bag.

I make sure her phone is still inside, and when I see it light up with a new text from Parker, I click on it to see what it says.

Parker: I’m going to make you pay for what your boyfriend is doing to me. He’s going to regret ever stepping foot in Legend Prep.

Another text comes in while I’m reading the first.

Parker: Meet me at the diner. It’s time you earned my silence.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I see a new text from the unknown number.

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