Page 29 of Catch
“Because the coach has more to do than just be a quarterback. They have to make sure the entire team does well.” I made sure no little digits were raised before I changed the subject. “I brought a friend with me today. Would you all like to meet him?”
“Yeah!”
About one hundred and fifty students in little navy polos shared their enthusiasm loudly without even knowing who was here with me.
“Champ the Cheetah, come on out and say ‘hello’ to these students.” Champ threw aside the stage curtain and did a goofy wave. “Champ, meet the great kids that attend Wellington Academy.”
He high-fived the kids in the front row. Mascots didn’t speak. They waved, did backflips, danced, and tried to get the crowd excited. The kids were thrilled. I kept the smile on my face even though Parker was fifteen feet away. We made eye contact several times and even though her smile was hesitant, it still stirred something inside me. It was the same light, fluttering joy I got when I knew somebody was interested in me.
“Students, let’s give Coach McCoy and Champ a round of applause for taking time out of their day to spend it with us.” The principal got the children to clap for our short, but fun visit.
I stood back while Champ took photos with the different classes. A young teacher with long dark hair and hazel eyes slid over to me.
“Congratulations on your accomplishments. I love football and respect what you’ve done so much.” She tilted her head and looked at me coyly. I found everything about her charming from her crooked smile to the small smattering of freckles across her nose.
“Thank you. Are you a Cheetahs fan?” It was a stupid question because we had played only one regular season game.
“Believe it or not, my family has season tickets. We were at the game so we saw your first win.”
I could tell she was not only excited about the team, but I got the feeling she was interested in me. “Where are your seats?”
“Section one forty, ten rows up,” she said.
I nodded. “Those are good seats. How do you like the team?”
“I’m so excited. Good quarterback, great coaches, especially the offensive coordinator. I mean, I can’t imagine you won’t get us to the playoffs. You’re going to slaughter Miami. They are a hot mess on the field.”
She really did get it, and as much as I wanted to relax and talk football with her, I knew better than to open up quickly. Besides, I was working and a cameraman was lurking about ready to pick up anything interesting, not to mention the teachers with their iPhones out recording everything.
“We certainly hope to bring home another win.”
She touched my arm lightly. “We’re rooting for you, Coach. My friends and family are going to be watching on the big screen.” She bit her bottom lip and smiled at me.
“Our first official fan. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Sutton.” I held out my hand and she shook it.
“I’m Ruby. I teach kindergarten.”
“Do you have children that go to school here?” When she laughed at my question, I automatically looked around hoping we weren’t being loud. I locked eyes with Parker. She didn’t look amused. I quickly looked away, guilt pricking my conscience.
“I’m twenty-five and very single. No kids, no girlfriend. One day, maybe, but right now I just want to have fun and watch football and teach these little goofballs fun things,” Ruby said.
There was so much in that delivery. If we were at a bar and my girlfriend hadn’t just moved out forty-eight hours ago, I would’ve asked her out. But we were both at work and the weight of my dreams was on my shoulders. I didn’t have time for her. Right then, Champ waved me over. I excused myself but turned to Ruby. “I’ll see you at the games.”
“I’ll look for you,” she said.
We took photos with the students, and I wrapped up our visit by passing out coloring books about Champ’s journey from tiny cheetah cub to NFL mascot. We waved to the children and followed the principal back to the front of the school. Champ excused himself to slip out of the costume. I sat in a conference room by the principal’s office and smiled, remembering how many times I sat outside my dad’s office waiting for him when practice was over and I needed a ride home.
“Thanks for coming out to the school.”
I stood, knowing that voice. “Parker. How are you?” Right in the middle of Wellington Academy, Parker gave me a slow up and down and was obvious about it. I took a step back at her forwardness and stumbled over the chair I just vacated.
“I’m doing well. I was surprised to find out that you were going to be here,” she said. She looked sexy as hell in a cream-colored accordion skirt that grazed her knees and a black, thin sweater. Her hair was pulled back in a low, messy bun and she was wearing glasses. If I could have dreamed up the perfect sexy librarian, today’s Parker would have been it. She made my mouth water.
“I completely forgot about it until yesterday. Hopefully we kept the kids entertained,” I said.
She touched my arm and gave me a sweet smile. “You did a great job. The kids loved you.”
I looked at her hand on my forearm. “I get to do this three more times at other schools. Any suggestions for improvement?”
