Page 52 of The Long Game

“Brainstorming,” I repeated slowly. “For what? New ways to drive me up the wall?”

“Ha,” she deadpanned. “For the new uniforms. I might also order a few banners with the new logo I can give away to people that come to the games.” She bit her lip for a moment, dragging myeyes there. “I can forward you a copy of my notes. We can go over everything on Monday. After practice. Is that a good time?”

I remembered the last meeting we had. The button bursting open. Her scent in my lungs. The lavender satin. My jaw clenched.

Without lifting her head from the screen, she said, “Don’t look at me like that, Coach.”

I ignored thatCoach. “How do you know how I’m looking at you?”

“Because you operate in two modes. Self-important and annoyed.”

A snort escaped my mouth. She was probably right. “I thought we agreed on meetings on Wednesdays.”

“Monday won’t be a meeting.” Her thumb swiped up and down, switching apps at an impressive speed. “It’ll be a casual get-together to align ideas.”

“Putting the wordcasualin front of get-together doesn’t make it less of a meeting, darling.”

Her index finger tapped one last time on the screen. She lifted her head, finally looking at me. “How about you call me boss?” Her eyebrows arched. “I’m not a huge fan of defined hierarchical systems, but I think I can make an exception here.”

I stared back at her under the brim of my cap. Her hair was up in a tight bun again. Only this one was at the top of her head, making her features look sharper under the sun. The suit was back as well, this one a pale shade of beige that was paired with a blue glossy-looking top I wished that blazer wasn’t covering.

It was possibly the dressiest she’d ever been. Even the heels she had on seemed higher than usual. Adalyn was dressed to impress today. Prim and ready to bulldoze over some poor soul. Me, most likely. And yet it was a welcome contrast to how she’d looked the other night on her porch. Covered in dust. In yoga pants. Strands of hair sticking out. I still hadn’t figured out which version of Adalyn I found more disconcerting.

The skin in my palms tingled at the memory of the feel of her face under my fingertips.

I flexed my right hand.

“Where’s the ring?” she asked, bringing my attention back.

I felt myself frown in surprise, but I patted my chest. “I’m used to taking it off for games. I have it on a chain.”

Her cheeks flushed, but if she thought anything of it, she didn’t say. “And what’s with the hat?” She gave me a skeptical once-over. “Is this your game look? I could get you a hat when I order you a matching coach tracksuit. I could ask them to printCOACH (RELUCTANTLY HERE)on the front.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Why are you here, again?”

“I’m the manager of the Green Warriors, where else should I be?”

“Not in the technical area. I’m the coach and this ismybench.”

“Technical area is a stretch.” She pointed at the humble space around us. “And you need me here. I’m pretty sure I heard the Bears’ coach conspiring against you on my way in from the parking lot.” A shrug. “I’d really hate to have to look for someone to fill in if you were to mysteriously disappear in… let’s say the bushy area behind the bleachers nobody seems to venture into.” A pause. “Not that I gave her any ideas.”

If I hadn’t been so caught up in the notion of Adalyn teasing me, I would have probably barked out a laugh. “Are you saying you’ll protect me from her?”

“Don’t look so smug,” Adalyn huffed, not even looking at me. “You’re my only employee, Coach.”

With a snort I let her have this one and faced forward. Soon after, the referee finally whistled, indicating the start of the game.

I took a step forward, clapping my hands a few times at the girls. “All right. Soldier on, Green Warriors!”

Every Warrior on the grass turned her head toward me. The ball rolled. They all blinked at me.

“Oh God,” Adalyn whispered from my side. “What did you do? Why aren’t they moving?”

“Gaze forward,” I instructed the girls, signaling the other side with my hand. “Don’t look at me,” I barked, pointing in the direction of the ball. But by the time the Green Warriors reacted, they weretoo late to stop the other team from stealing and making their way across the field with the ball.

María frowned from her position at the net. But— Why was María at the net? Juniper was our goalkeeper. Where the hell was Juniper? Shit. Fuck. I’d been so caught up with Adalyn that I—

The forward for the Bears jerked her leg back to kick. María turned, distractedly waving in my direction. No. In Adalyn’s direction.

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