Page 26 of Forbidden Dunk

“No,” I told him, standing firm in my decision. I was done with this. The team was not going to pay for his mistakes. “I don’tknow what you’re thinking, but it’s not his fault. He’s helping this team a lot more than you are!”

“What the hell does that mean? It’s my job to coach you all, not babysit and not allow fuck ups!”

“That’s what you’re calling this? Because coaching means also seeing where you’re failing and allowing others to help, to make suggestions! You have a coaching team and what are they here for if you won’t listen to them?”

“Because it’s coming from you! You’re telling them what to do.”

“I am not! Some of them are seeing that your ego is getting in the way of your job. Coach Jones, you’re a great coach, but it doesn’t hurt to listen.”

“What the hell would you know about that? It’s not like you listened to me when I said stay away. And because of that, you want to blame the loss of the games or the shitty run we have on me. When it’s your own damn fault.

“My daughter isn’t one of your little hoes to run along and do whatever you want with! She’s better than that!”

“I know that!” I was done caring who was around to listen to this. I was over if people saw. Coach Jones needed an ass chewing for his actions.

“You do? Because I see you running around with all the little hoop hoes, and I will not let you make my daughter one.”

I saw red at that statement. I never saw Marketa that way, and hell, I wasn’t that way.

“You know shit about your team if that’s what you think I do.”

“I know plenty. Now get out of my face and stay the hell away from my daughter for the last time. She can find way better than the likes of you.”

I know that looking back, I will probably tell you I never felt my hand move into a fist and will also say I never even knew Ilifted my arm. All to say that I wasn’t aware I punched the coach until my hand stung and I saw him clenching his nose.

“Get the hell out of my arena,” he shouted. “You’re done for the season, and I’ll make sure to fine your ass!”

“I love your daughter, sir. And I’m sorry that you will have to learn to deal with that, because I’m not going anywhere.”

“What do you mean?”

I felt a hand on my arm, and I glanced down, seeing Marketa there. It’s also the moment I looked up and saw the audience we had drawn; something I didn’t mean to do.

“I’m pregnant, Dad, and it’s Shawn’s baby.”

Chapter 16

Marketa

Well, telling my dad in front of a crowd and on TV no less was not the best way. But I was done with him ordering Shawn the way he was. I was done with my dad being the bully he’s become. I know my dad is protecting me, and I love him for it. But Shawn is not like the other guys, and I wish he could see that.

Instead, he’s blinded by some hatred he has for the very players he coaches.

Help me make sense of that please!

So, it's not a surprise that right after the game, he dragged me home, as if I was some little girl who didn't have a clue versus an adult that wasn't too far away from raising her own child.

I seriously hoped that Shawn was nothing like my dad when it came to players and having our kids so against dating them. We might be going toe to toe if that were the case.

I huffed as we pulled into the garage and I made sure to slam the door as we got out, making my dad glare at me. But I didn't care. I was about to make this as childish as he was being. Maybe, just maybe, he might see how he was acting.

“Don’t slam the door, Marketa.”

“Stop being a dick, Dad, and I might act like an adult.” I stormed into the house, crossing my arms. No point in going upstairs to avoid him. He would follow me into that sanctuary.

“Don’t you dare talk to me that way. I am still your father, and you are still living under my roof. Doing God knows what, though!”

“Believe me, David, I can easily fix that. Shawn has his own place, I’m sure he’d love for me to move in with him.”

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