Page 51 of So This Is War
Why? Doesn’t he want his daughter to be happy?
I don’t understand this entire ruse.
If I had a child, I’d want what’s best for them, and what’s best for them is their happiness.Why doesn’t Coach Wood want that?
Maybe he’s unaware of what happiness is. He’s just an old crotch of a man with beefy shoulders and a bald head.
Perhaps he needs a little love in his life. Maybe I’m the one to help him find that love. My success rate is at one hundred percent right now, so I could help him find a lady friend—or man friend if that’s where he’s headed. Who knows. I’ve never gotten that personal with him. Either way, I’m the key to him finding love, and I’m up for the challenge.
“You know, Coach Wood, have you ever considered dating?”
He points at his door and yells, “Get the fuck out.”
I wince as I scurry out of my chair. “Sure . . . yup.”
I duck out of his office. “I’m going to take that as a no on the dating thing.”
His loss.
I head down the hallway toward the locker room just as I receive a text. I pull out my phone and see that it’s from Wylie.
Wylie:Here with your smoothie. Where should I meet you?
Levi:I’ll come to you. Where are you?
Wylie:Third level, going to meet with Blakely who caught me in the hallway.
Levi:Be right there.
I pocket my phone and head toward the elevators, where I find Eli as well.
“Hey man, you’re here early,” Eli says.
“Yeah, had to meet with Coach.”
“About what?” Eli asks.
“Uh . . . payment for his daughter,” I answer. “He wanted to make sure I was being fair.”
“Oh, sure,” he says, buying it . . . thankfully.
“What are you up to?” I ask.
“Just dropped off Holden. Penny has breakfast, so I was going to eat with her in her office.”
Holden is Penny and Eli’s baby boy. We have full-time daycare here in the arena, so they’re able to do what they need to do for their jobs while visiting Holden throughout the day. I know they love the convenience. Especially Eli, who likes to visit between practices, warm-ups, and training sessions.
The elevator opens, and we both walk in. He pushes the button for the third floor, where Penny and Blakely work. “How’s the new assistant anyway?”
“It’s been a day,” I say. “Not even a full day. It’s fine. Nothing special.”
“So she hasn’t given you any problems?”
“No,” I say. “Why would she give me problems? You make it seem like she’s difficult, and I haven’t seen anything to indicate that.”
“Not difficult. She’s just strong-willed is all. She knows what she likes, and when she likes it, she goes after it. And I know you . . .”
“What about me?” I ask.
