Page 64 of Scoring with the Coach's Daughter

Then she’s gone, and I watch her disappear into the crowd.

I return home and slip into my routine, but the entire day is off.

Jake is gone.

I text him a good morning because it’s safe. But, there’s no reply.

The day drags by.

I text him again.

No response.

I drag ass at the restaurant. My heart is dragging on the tiles under my feet. It’s like I have a hangover when I didn’t drink enough to earn it. Fuck me.

Maggie gives me a look. The look that I can’t ignore. She nods to the office and I move like I’m sleepwalking. She walks behind me and closes the door discreetly.

“What the hell happened to you? We had a great time last night. What gives?” She’s got her life figured out. She’s dating a great guy and their journey has been relatively easy.

“If Jake and I have to work at our relationship does that mean we’re not right for each other?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Well, you and Matt are so—together. I don’t remember you guys having issues when you dated.”

“Well, there were probably a few small bumps, but it’s normal. You and Jake are getting to know each other. I think if you date and you don’t have any issues then you have to wonder if you’re being honest with each other. So what gives?”

“Ellie cut her finger last night. It’s nothing serious but I think I overreacted.”

Maggie chuckles. “You? Overreact? Naw.”

She’s making fun of me and I kind of deserve it but instead, I say, “It’s not funny.”

“It is. You’re a stickler for rules. You’re a perfectionist. You are serious most of the time.”

I sink into my chair, defeated. “Okay! Don’t give me so many compliments at one time my head might explode.” I take a breath. “I thought you’d be on my side!”

“I am. So how bad was it?” She leans against the wall.

“Bad.” I pull my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them. “Like I wasme, on steroids.”

“Oh boy,” she gushes. “Is Jake still breathing?”

“I hope so. I mean, I thought we were okay after the argument, but he wasn’t there this morning, and I haven’t heard from him all day. I’m worried we broke up. And Ellie knows something is going on.”

“Yeah, she’s observant. Kids are like that. They are sponges and it’s as if they absorb our moods. They’re very impressionable.”

“So, they do, so what do I do?”

“What can you do? He’s a manly man. He’s probably sorting things out and he needed space.”

I’m confused. Why do men need space? Maggie reads my mind and says, “When a man’s ego is hurt, or his heart, they tend to back off. He probably needs time to regroup. Maybe he’s contemplating the situation. I mean, he’s only been here for a few weeks. You both moved very fast. What do you think is going to happen?”

“This is more than a fling. We’ve become a family and I well, for one, I like it.”

Maggie gives me a reassuring smile. “I’m sure he’ll be back. Jake is a great guy, and he wouldn’t just leave you and Ellie without a word.”

“That’s what I thought but I don’t know. I’m a hot mess, Maggie.”

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