Waiting for Her

by Jennifer Van Wyk

  “Alright, hit me with it.”

  “As assistant head coach, you didn’t want the job?”

  “Nope.”

  “That’s all you’re gonna give me?”

  “That’s all you asked!”

  I roll my eyes playfully. “You win. Why didn’t you want the head coach position?”

  “Real talk and some of this is off the record?” I nod. “I was a foster kid. Felt lucky as hell that I was able to get into college in the first place, and I never took one second of it for granted. Working under Coach Bales was a dream come true. Could never consider replacing him. Worked with Grady when he was a player but then when he started coaching with the freshman, it was clear he was meant for more. It felt right. I can’t explain it, even in my own head.”

  “After watching him this week, I get what you mean.”

  “Right? It just… I don’t know. He’s the right man to lead this team. This group of guys, they’re hard workers but I’m noticing a shift since Grady came on board as head coach. Not that they didn’t respect Bales, because they did. But I think they like having someone younger that they can talk to who’s closer to their level. Who isn’t so far removed from understanding the temptations they’re bombarded with every day. Grady listens and the players respond well to it.”

  “So you were a foster kid?”

  “Off the record, yeah. I don’t need my personal business in the feature, y’know?”

  “You’ve got my word on that.”

  “Thanks for your honesty, Drew. I was going to ask how you like working with Grady and a few other things, but basically you answered them already when you said he was right for the job.”

  “I do what I can to make your day easier. Now I have a question for you, off the record, of course.”

  “Go for it.”

  “You’re still in love with him?” I’m sure my eyes look as big as saucers. He simply chuckles. “Thought so. I’ve been around for a while, you know that. It took me a little bit for it to click, but I remember you. He was in a bad way, Bri. Lost and the only place he was a semblance of himself was here on this field. It took a while, but he came back to himself. But you being back? He’s even more himself than he was. Grady… he means a lot to me. I don’t understand why, but I’m trusting that you’re not going anywhere this time.”

  I lean back in my seat, rocked by his words and for the first time admit out loud what I just recently realized myself. “No, I’m not.”

  I figured Grady needed a little bit of time before we attempted another one-on-one interview again. Considering last time I ended up straddling and damn near dry humping the crap out of him, only to admit shocking news a few hours later.

  “Ms. Jameson?” the sound of a deep voice jerks me out of my daze. I turn and see Izaak standing next to me, his hair a mess, practice uniform dirty, lines of sweat dripping down his temples.

  The sun is still beating down, summer nowhere close to releasing its hold quite yet. I’m standing here in a maxi dress and sandals and I’m hot. I can only imagine what it feels like wearing a full uniform.

  Before I heard I was going to be working this interview, I already knew the team stats by heart, which has made the last week even more fun. Watching the practices and knowing the potential of each individual player.

  But this one standing next to me? His potential is limitless. An All-American linebacker and team captain, he reminds me so much of Grady.

  “What can I help you with, Izaak?”

  “Um, you said you needed to interview me today,” he kindly reminds me with a grin.

  “Oh! Yes, that’s right. Whenever you’re ready.” How could I have forgotten? It’s only the reason I’m here.

  “Coach said to come talk with you now, if that’s okay.”

  “Sure thing. Go hydrate first.”

  “On it.” He jogs off and I settle into one of the green padded folding chairs set up behind the benches.

  He returns quickly, leaning down to place his helmet on the ground, still balancing two paper cups in his hand. He hands me a cup of water. “Coach said you should hydrate, too,” he tells me, and I glance over in the direction of the large orange water jug, Grady standing next to it with Drew and a few other players by his side. His eyes don’t shift to me, he’s completely focused on the job.

  The fact that he cared enough to have his player bring me a water makes me tingly. It might seem like a small thing, and maybe it’s nothing, but to me it’s significant. Try as I might, my heart still beats a little harder knowing he thought of me.

  I clear my throat and take a sip, feeling my cheeks flush and wanting to dismiss the feelings building up.

  “How was practice?” I ask, beginning my line of questions with something easy. Most of the players have been a little nervous and I’ve found that if I start with something easy, they realize I’m not going to dive deep into their lives.

  “Good. Hard.” He finishes the last of his water, but keeps the empty cup in his hand, twisting it around. He absentmindedly nods his head a couple times and looks to the field. “Should be a good season,” he murmurs.

  “I agree. I see major potential for the team, and I’m not just saying that.”

  “Thanks, Ms. Jameson. It’s nice to hear that, especially coming from you since you know so much about college football.” I must look confused because he rushes to continue, “Coach told us you’ve been a huge Warriors fan since you were a kid and basically know everything about it.”

  “Ahh. Yeah, guilty of that. You’re welcome, by the way, but please, call me Bri, okay?”

  “I think Coach would kick my ass if I called you by your first name. He reminds us before every practice that we’re supposed to treat you with nothing but respect.”

  His words warm me more than the sun overhead. I glance to the bright blue sky, feeling a smile ghosting across my face. I clear my throat and sip my water. The water Grady was thoughtful enough to send along with his player, so I wouldn’t get dehydrated. Yeah, it’s more than warmth that’s settling in.

  “So, what do you think so far under Coach Ryan’s leadership?”

  “He’s awesome. He uh… you know, he was with us before, and it was good and Bales, he’s great. He was the one who brought me here, but can I tell you something not on the record?”

  I smile. “Of course.”

  “When schools started coming around, watching me at games and even a few practices, it was a bit overwhelming. I don’t want this to come out cocky, but I knew I was good. I knew I was built—I worked my ass off and had like no social life in high school because I was focused on my goal. My parents, well, life wasn’t easy for our family, and we didn’t really have a lot of money. They sacrificed everything so I could focus on school and football. We depended on me getting a scholarship. It wasn’t like I was necessarily surprised that scouts were looking at me, but it was still overwhelming. I was just me, you know? Nothing special. I happened to be good at the sport I loved, and people started recognizing that. It would have been easy to get full of myself. But, I had a good mentor.”

  “That’s good. I know that’s really important. Having someone to look up to.”

  He looks slightly embarrassed when he admits, “I may or may not have stalked Coach Ryan.”

  I turn my head and scrunch my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

  He continues to play around with the empty cup in his hand, starting to rip the paper into a long line like he’s peeling an apple. “This is kind of embarrassing but, he was kind of my idol. My mentor without knowing he was mentoring me. I looked up to him. I saw what kind of guy he was both on and off the field. I watched his old game tapes, even. I know, I know. It sounds creepy but I’m a Michigan boy, born and raised, and Grady Ryan was a bit of a household name. At least in ours, it was.”

  “Aww.”

  He blushes and rakes a hand through his sweaty hair. “Not aww. That makes me sound like I had a schoolgirl crush on him,” he jokes. “Obviously,
it wasn’t like that. I recognized so much of myself in him. So when Bales came around, there was no question in my mind who I wanted to play for. Especially with Coach Ryan on the team. I kind of accepted their offer because I knew I would at least get to work with him in some capacity. When they announced he was replacing Bales, I kind of had a little freak out. In a good way, of course.”

  “Back on the record now?”

  “Sure.” He shrugs.

  “Has he lived up to your expectations?”

  His smile is wide. “Oh for sure, beyond them, actually. But you’re not hearing me. I know everything there is to know about him.” He looks between my eyes like he’s trying to see if I’ll understand his meaning behind his words.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Fu… I mean…” he trails off, catching himself from cursing in front of me. It’s cute. He’s polite and seems like a sweet young man. He looks behind him and I follow his gaze to see Grady is still talking. He lowers his voice, leaning toward me. “I know what you mean to him.”

  I jerk back, not expecting his words.

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah. Oh.”

  I’m quiet for a bit. “That’s in the past,” I tell him.

  He watches me and shakes his head, a boyish grin taking over his face. “Nah. It’s not.”

  I swallow hard, not knowing what to make of this conversation.

  “See, I know things I probably shouldn’t.”

  “I don’t…” my voice gets caught in my throat.

  “I’m making you uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”

  I reach over and touch his hand. “No! No, I promise. You’re fine. I had no idea that anyone knew we once knew each other. And like I said, it’s all in the past. We’ve both moved on.”

  “That’s not entirely the truth, now, is it?”

  Biting my lip, I look at my lap. He gives me the time I need to process his last words. “I don’t know,” I finally admit, wondering how this interview turned into a counseling session.

  “I’m sorry. I just thought you should know that I uh, know, I guess.”

  “Yeah.” I really don’t know what else to say.

  “For what it’s worth, I meant what I said. I don’t think it’s in the past at all.”

  My shoulders lift on a shrug and I suck in a deep breath before blowing it out. “Well, for what it’s worth,” I pause and we share a smile, “between us, I hope you’re right.”

  “Nice. I hoped so. Now, let’s get to the football stuff.”

  I appreciate his easy transition and jump right into my line of questions. Maybe he’s more like Grady than I originally thought.

  When we’re finished, we both stand and as I look around, I notice most of the players are off the field, presumably in the showers.

  But when Izaak moves slightly, what I see behind him causes my breath to catch.

  Kennedy is standing in front of Grady, whirly birds dancing in her eyes as she looks up at him with a bright smile on her face. She’s twirling her long blonde hair around her finger, her other hand lightly resting on his forearm crossed over his chest. Can she puff out her chest anymore? She’s practically shoving her boobs right in his face. Okay, none of that is true, but I can see from here she wants to. Wants his attention on her.

  Probably.

  Flirty bitch.

  Izaak chuckles beside me. “Should I worry about the fire you’re about to breathe out?”

  I shove him and he laughs harder.

  “Not even a thought,” he says oddly.

  “What?”

  “She’s not even a thought to him. Not someone who crosses his mind that way. She’s not you.”

  “Exactly how obsessed are you with your coach?” I tease.

  “Shut up,” he mutters. “For real, though. She’s been around for as long as I can remember. You’ve been here for a week. It’s different. He’s different.”

  I’ve known Izaak for less than thirty minutes.

  I like him.

  Grady

  There’s no doubt in my mind why Kennedy is here. She knew that I was being interviewed by SI and the nosey little shit asked around, found out it was Bri who was doing the interview.

  But she only knows that Bri and I knew each other in high school. I think. It’s very possible she knows the entire story since, like I said, she’s a nosey little shit, but not because I’ve told her.

  My life with Bri felt sacred, something I needed to protect.

  Kennedy knew the basics, that I was with someone for a long time and never really moved on. I wouldn’t be surprised if she put two and two together, even if she didn’t ask around.

  Her presence right now tells me that my suspicions are correct.

  And, my fear that she does want more than friendship ratchets up about a hundred notches.

  “What do you think?” Kennedy asks, tapping the tip of one shoe on the ground behind her.

  “Huh?” I ask. I didn’t hear a word she just said, and her face falls when she realizes I wasn’t paying attention to her.

  “Grady,” she practically chastises.

  “What? I’m sorry, I was thinking about practice earlier.”

  “Hmm,” she pouts. I almost roll my eyes. “Can you listen to me now?”

  “I can, but I’m working, Kennedy,” I gesture to the field, which unfortunately is basically empty.

  She looks around and raises her eyebrows.

  “My job doesn’t end just because the players aren’t on the field,” I remind her.

  “Well, is there a way you can stop working for a few hours tomorrow night? I have a work party and really don’t want to go alone.”

  I don’t know what to make of that request but, luckily, I have an excuse. “I can’t tomorrow night. I’m going to see Anderson.”

  “Anderson?” she asks, and it reminds me that she didn’t even think to check about Mia after she went into labor right in front of her. I never realized that she was even remotely self-centered.

  “Cole and Mia’s baby,” I tell her, my eyebrows kissing my hairline.

  “Oh! Yeah! I meant to…” she trails off sheepishly. “Well, maybe we can go see Anthony—”

  “Anderson,” I correct her.

  “Sorry?”

  “His name is Anderson.”

  “Are you sure? That seems like a weird name for a baby, right?”

  “You just asked me if I was sure about my nephew’s name.”

  “Well, it seems so… formal. And, old?”

  “They used the mom’s last name, kind of a family tradition,” I explain, even though I shouldn’t have to. This isn’t typical Kennedy behavior and it makes me question what’s going on with her.

  “Oh. Well, anyway, maybe we can go see him for a few minutes then go to my work party. Please, Grady. I really want you there.”

  I’m not sure how me going to see Anderson turned into we, and I’m really not sure how it turned into just a few minutes, when I had planned to make an evening out of it.

  “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why do you want me there?”

  Her face pales a bit and she doesn’t look at me in the eye, rather focuses over my left shoulder.

  I turn my head but already know what she’s looking at, or who, just in time to see Bri notice Kennedy. We’ve already crossed a big line and have yet to talk over all the things we really need to, so I tell my heart to calm down and not read anything into the fact that it looks like she’s ready to storm over here and rip out Kennedy’s hair.

  I press my lips together when I see Izaak’s head shift back and forth, looking between the two women, his head dropping and shoulders shaking like he’s laughing.

  Idiot.

  “Who’s that?”

  “The reporter for Sports Illuminated,” I explain, not offering any more information.

  “Hmm,” she hums. Again. A sound that’s more than mildly irritating.

  I don’t give her the satisfaction o
f asking what’s on her mind. For some reason her presence is annoying me, which has never happened before.

  The sound of laughter drifts over the field, Izaak shuffles to the side after Bri hits him playfully in the shoulder.

  “She doesn’t seem very professional. She’s flirting with your players.”

  I chuckle and shake my head. “No, she’s not.”

  “Oh? And you know her so well?” she challenges.

  Not even going there. “I’m telling you she’s not flirting with Izaak. She’s been perfectly professional.”

  “She’s awful young to have gotten a job like this one.”

  “So am I,” I remind her, taking a step away. “What are you insinuating?”

  “I’m not insinuating anything, Grady. I know you’ve worked hard for where you’re at. You deserve this job.”

  “But yet there’s no way she’s done the same? You know nothing about Bri or her life. She’s worked her ass off to get this assignment and understands more about our football program than anyone I’ve met. Why are you being so bitchy about it?”

  She rears back, like I’ve slapped her. Which it probably feels like I have. I’ve never spoken to her that way, much less called her a name.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I already feel on edge because I know the entire country is watching my every move. She likely feels the same pressure, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make comments on something you know nothing about.”

  Her rigid stance relaxes. “That makes sense, you feel a little protective of her since you’re both being watched by so many. Just like you would one of your little sisters, probably.”

  I don’t even understand where she’d come to that conclusion from what I just said, but it seems like it’s what she needs to tell herself. Still, I don’t respond.

  “So, how about it? Will you come with me to the party tomorrow night?”

  “I already told you I can’t. I’m going over to Cole and Mia’s to see the baby.”