Page 78 of Instigator
“Are you okay?” he finally says.
That’s when I realize I’m shaking.
“Just tell me.”
“I wanted to check in,” he says. “I heard there was an altercation in the locker room the other day.”
I gulp. He knows.
“I’m sorry about that. We set a bad example.”
“Cecilia Ramos is a board member.”
I can’t read his tone, though it’s clear he’s not happy. His forehead is creased, his expression inscrutable.
“I know.”
Fuck. I’m so screwed.
Coach frowns. “Everything is… okay?”
“Is that a question?”
“She followed you into a players-only area.”
“It won’t happen again.”
He sighs. “MacGregor. Did she coerce you? Force herself on you?”
I freeze. “What?”
“We can remove her from the board and the helmet project. You deserve to feel safe at work. Safe, period.”
“Ceci and I are dating,” I squeak out.
“That doesn’t mean—”
I shake my head, cutting him off. “She followed me because I was upset.” I don’t mention she was inadvertently the cause of my distress. “I’m very happy with her. She’s not sexually harassing me, for fuck’s sake.”
When he frowns again, I gulp.
“Sir.”
“You can understand my concern,” Coach says gruffly.
“I do. Absolutely, I do. And I appreciate your checking. We get fetishized enough by the media and our fans. But Ceci and I are together. Everything is consensual and above board. I… I really like her.”
His eyes soften. “Good. You could use a woman like her in your life.”
I choke on a sputter. Coach is known for being a hard-ass with everyone—except his daughter. He didn’t react well when Audrey first started dating our goalie, taking it out on Henry. Over the last few years, as they’ve married and had their daughter, he’s mellowed toward his son-in-law. Still holds him to a high standard. Treats him like any other player.
“I’m really lucky to have her,” I finally manage.
He sits back in his chair. “This does complicate things, though.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Oh?”
“She’s on the board. There are fraternization policies in force.”
