Page 51 of Scoring with the Coach's Daughter

As I lace up my running shoes, I can feel the itch in my muscles, and the craving to move is getting to me. The slow, careful pace I’ve been forced to keep is starting to wear on me. I need to feel something again, something other than waiting.

I head down the dirt road leading away from the inn, the earth soft under my feet as I start my jog. Spring is heavy in the air, the warmth of the sun melting away the last hints of winter. The South Carolina scenery bursts with color, dogwoods, and azaleas in full bloom, their petals brushing against the breeze. Birds chirp somewhere in the trees, filling the quiet morning with their songs.

I’m definitely not in the city. It’s peaceful here.

The further I run, the more I try to soak it all in—the towering trees, the rolling hills, the scent of fresh pine. I’ve always liked nature, liked the way it pulls me out of my head, and forces me to breathe. But there’s a part of me that’s missing the concrete, the bright lights, the adrenaline of late nights and fast-paced living.

I round a bend in the road, and there it is—the waterfall.

Water tumbles down the rock face into the clear pool below, sunlight catching in the mist. It’s the kind of scene people travel miles to see, but I barely pause as I slow my pace. Instead, I focus on the rhythm of my breathing, the way my body feels—strong, steady, almost back to normal.

Almost.

I wipe sweat from my forehead, turning back toward the inn. My mind shifts to Sam.

She’s constantly on my mind. Ever since her father’s birthday party, she’s been front and center. I’ve never experienced anything like it before.

I love Sam. I know that now. Maybe it’s been a slow-burning flame since her sister’s funeral years ago. I’m not sure. But the thought of leaving without her doesn’t sit right. But maybe I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that. She’s changing, the breaking of the plates is proof she can loosen up.

She’ll come with me—she has to. She’s come so far and the way we make love to each other is next-level stuff. I can’t get her out of my mind, or my thoughts. Not to mention the fact she’s a tiger in bed. Thankfully the hickeys she gave me are covered by my clothes.

Things have been going well between us. I can see it in the way she looks at me when she thinks I’m not paying attention. Hell, she leans in just a little closer when we talk and I swear she’s flirting with me. When she flips her hair over her shoulder, I know she wants me to kiss her.

She belongs with me, in the city. We can start a new chapter—together. I’ll be back on the team and I’ll take up where I left off, only this time I’ll have her and Ellie to come home to at the end of the day.

I’ve already started thinking about the future, about making space for her in my life—not just for now, but for always. The penthouse has never felt like a place to settle down, to build something real.

That’s why I’m calling my realtor tonight. I need a large house, with security and room to have cookouts and accommodate more kids. The more I think of it, the happier I am. My dream is coming true.

I’ll have it all, the house, a family, and my career.

And I want it all with Sam. Together, we’ll have the perfect life.

16

SAMANTHA

The invitation sitson my desk, taunting me. The crisp edges and embossed lettering remind me of wedding invitations. I run my finger over the raised letters as if it were a wish of Christmas past. It’s not the end of the world if I don’t make the exclusive culinary event. Maggie is attending. Still, it would be nice to drink bubbly with my contemporaries and sample beef tartare and other swanky edibles.

It’s a once-in-a-year opportunity where top chefs and restaurateurs in the industry mingle over champagne and impossibly tiny hors d’oeuvres. Maggie stands in the doorway, demanding that I go with her. I’m in the crunch zone. The clock is ticking and I’m here, deliberately dragging my feet.

“Sam, this is huge! You need to be there.” Maggie is more of an aunt to Ellie and she’s always there for me when I need her. It wasn’t easy when Ellie first came to live with me.

She’s right. I should go to the event. It’s a fun work event and it’s a night out with my bestie. But there’s one problem.

I don’t have a babysitter.

I tuck my long bangs behind my ear and glance at my watch. It’s Monday. The restaurant is closed so I’m off but Ihave zero babysitting options. Everyone I usually rely on is either out of town or unavailable. I already told Maggie I probably wouldn’t make it. I’m a terrible friend because Maggie harped on me for over a month to get a sitter, but did I listen? No. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Is it because I don’t trust someone with Ellie? No. Sure, I trust Maggie and I trust my staff. I know a few of them would have been thrilled to take Ellie for the night.

If I’m being honest, I’m afraid no one will be well— do things the way I would do them. Will they make sure Ellie brushes her teeth? Will she have fun? Will she go to bed on time? Few of the events will matter since it’s one night. I know this but still…

I can’t ask Jake, it’s an imposition. But I’m lying to myself because the real reason is the fact that I can’t give up control.

Realistically, giving up control means accidents can happen. It means bad stuff can occur, the kind of stuff that can’t be undone. Maybe I’m afraid something will go wrong and we’ll break up. Ellie is my everything.

My sister lived with a foot on the wild side, the dangerous side, the side that thwarted rules and at times, common sense. She was the life of the party, fun, vibrant, and carefree. She wasn’t afraid to break the rules, but one fateful day, her disregard for the rules led to her death. That’s final and there’s no do-over.

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