Page 55 of Scoring with the Coach's Daughter

“Yes,” he, “but I’m okay with adapting to changes. It’s like a football snap, it happens so fast that a player has to think or just act. I can change and adapt to situations in seconds. You are…let’s just say, less flexible.”

“I can adapt.” Is he saying I’m not fun? If he can’t accept me for how I am, he needs to reconsider the possibility of us is through running through my mind.

“You’re working on it, I’ll give you that. I have to say the picture I have of you smashing the plates in the restaurant was quite,” he turns to me in the cab of the truck, an impish grin washes over his face, “inspirational.”

I surprised myself that day. I don’t knowwhat came over me. I think I just decided to hell with it and got rid of the plates I was forced to buy because that’s all that was in stock at the time. I chuckle, it was a memorable moment for me as well. It was—cathartic. Liberating. It felt— fantastic!

“Ugh. I hated those plates. I had to get them as that’s all there was at the time. Who the hell wants a boring white plate? It shows a lack of vision! By the way, I ordered replacements yesterday. They come in vibrant greens and blues. They remind me of dragonflies.”

“That’s perfect,” he replies as he starts the truck. “I know you love dragonflies and they are beautiful, like you.”

My breath catches in my throat. He’s too smooth. He’ll never fall for a girl like me. He’s a famous football player and I’m not even close to him with his devastating looks, jaw-dropping physic. I don’t have millions like the models he dates. I don’t see how we would fit in his fast-paced world of high-powered lights on and off the field. Not to mention the social events, the fundraisers, and the never-ending pull of the media the fans, and his endorsements.

I like the simple things in life. The slamming of the screen door on a hot day, a cold iced tea on the porch, walking over the grass in bare feet, and listening to Ellie’s endless talking and her cute giggles.

I wonder where I would be if she weren’t in my life. Perhaps I would have married Rob, and I’d probably be divorced now—seeing as how he can’t handle change in the least!

I’m not him, am I? I can’t be that anal. Or am I?

Thankfully, so I don’t have time to do a deep dive into the reflection of life because we arrive at the camp and Jake parks in a shady spot under a magnolia tree. We follow the music, and when he grabs my hand, I feel like the luckiest woman in theworld. I have a smile that’s brighter than the blinding shine of a magnifying glass on a sunny day.

We are suddenly engulfed with the attention of everyone in the room. And I surmise this is what it’s like when he walks into a room no matter the location. Jake takes it in stride as he fist-bumps the boys.

I find Ellie in the chaos, and I drag Jake across the room—amid the sounds of the kids singing the camp song.

The long picnic tables are filled with snacks and drinks. The buffet table by the cafeteria holds a huge cake decorated with the blue and purple camp colors. The song ends and the PA system produces static as the camp direction steps to the mic.

“I see everyone is here. It’s the last day of camp and I’d like to give a special thanks to all the camp counselors and volunteers who made this possible.”

There are cheers and applause.

“I also want to thank Jake Rivers. Jake, come up here.”

I glance at Jake and he smiles and shrugs as he takes the stage.

“Jake jumped in to help coach these past two weeks and I can’t thank him enough. I hope you come back this summer.” The director pushes his glasses up his nose and hands the mic to Jake. “Say a few words,” he says, looking in our direction.

Jake leaves me to take the mic.

Ellie hugs me and she’s beaming with pride as she watches Jake on the small stage.

“I want to thank everyone for making me feel welcome. I had a great time, and I can’t thank you enough for making me feel at home.” Jake is oddly—humble. He hands the mic off and walks to us as he receives a plethora of clapping, cheers, and high-fives as he makes his way to us.

I clap along with everyone else. Elliepops in front of me and after high-fiving him, he hoists her in the air and gives her a bear hug.

“I knew you could do it,” she says.

He tousles her hair and for a minute, it looks as if his blue eyes are misty. “Did you eat your weight in sugar today?” he asks, wiggling his way out of the emotional moment in the nick of time if I had to guess.

“Uh, huh.” She puffs out her chest and experience has proven she’ll be a handful for Jake tonight.

With Ellie in tow, we walked around the tables so the kids could say goodbye to Jake and we left before the parent pick-up began to avoid the traffic.

Ellie is high on sugar, but I know she’ll crash later and tomorrow she’ll have to switch gears because spring break is over.

Once we’re home, Jake plays catch with Ellie in the front yard. I text Maggie that we’re on for tonight. I’m filled with enthusiasm as I flip through outfits in my closet. I pull out a pantsuit and heels. On second thought, do I need heels?

What’s the point if I don’t deviate from my everyday footwear of comfy sneakers?

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