reen of my automobile. My car's screen dings with a text from Violet

that some kid got harmed and is bleeding out. What happens if Peyton is harmed and I have to take her to the h

feel a little better because nobody seems to be rushing around the field, including the you

the way here, I ran multiple stop signs. Once more, my mind races, but onl

to me. or, mor

k to me. a parent, very tall and strong. His dark hair appears strangely familiar, curling slightly at its ov

a dam

he strap of the bag gets stuck in my door, and I have to spend a few grueling seconds trying to push it out. I

my memory of the specifics of my dream from the pre

e are standing in the middle of the

the time I get to the circle, all of my caustic remarks are little more than an afterthought, re

ht in his concentrated gaze, and he turns as I do, no

l, "what's g

! Nothing at all, Clara. Hudson," she says with a grin, "was just telling us about how much his litt

that I'm not the only one who finds his presence to be str

s she tries to juggle her own glittery pink soccer ball by herself. Even though she varies a

Shows real promise too." "Reminds me of w

ease, I roll my e

acie would love to see you guys show her a few moves. I think she gets tired of me t

g me away the moment I walk there. It takes a lot of guts for him to act as if nothing had happened and then expect

t want me anywhere near his impressionable little

hemselves, exuding a look of relief. Even from a few fee

ss. Grace warms up to Vi and Peyton almost instantly, and as he watches them, I can feel the tightness in Hu

o turn into a puddle. Please

was an

ow surprised I am by his admission. "Wel

re not going to make this

hearted tone that crept into my voice as I say, "

the two crucial words before

But I'm not getting

you. In the heat of the moment, I said things I didn'

chance. "Did Grace help you come up with this ap

nly came up with about ninety-five percent of this

her than side by side. When his eyes meet mine, I feel like I have something, and I hold his gaze with assurance. "Well, I accept your apolog

st like Tr

he takes it in his noticeably bigger hand. He shakes his head slightly and sh

ignores my stu

nding. "I have to say, you were a hot topic these last few days in the Zane household. Gracie was tal

g up love and me responding, "Well, the feeling's mutual." "She's pr

ther. "I wonder where she

y best behavior for the rest of the season. I'll be the chill soccer mom. Y

nexistent ponytail, and I

my laughter. "Well, if that's your goal, I'd have to inform you that you missed the after-game snack sign-up

tein powder. These kids need to bulk up. You know, I know a guy -

that I laughed a

is being led by Violet and Peyton to my waiting group so they may begin team warm-ups. I know that

o watch Grace? If you are, I have to warn you that there's

ght this was

t

ures. "Oh, he's that parent. T

estion. You could have a big mouth, for all I know. Mr. Bu

hues encircling his eye. I suppress the query as it n

l, I should probably go to claim a seat as far away from Mr. Bur

excited about him spe

"Bye, Coach

ad, while he heads into the bleachers. I turn to immediately see that

improving, and the warm-up and scrimmage go off without a hitch. I notice that Grace, in particular, is starting to resemble h

over to the sideline bench and, buried in my soccer bag, I discover my water bottle. I'm too focused on

the side and hit a hard, heated surface, too astonished to say anything. A socce

rists, keeping me close. A bunch of teenage males are giggling with eac

of the way. My thoughts race as I process the scene: me leaning against his towering, powerful frame while he

s face. As I straighten my clothes and prepare to speak, he appro

aughter and turn to face us, silent for a while. Despite knowing the statistics, they sta

t mean to," seeking support from his

e boys the perfect opportunity to flee, relieved to be out of there. He turns

wing quite what to say. "I've been h

to smile. "I mean, not those balls. Soccer b

racted, then turns to face me. He cocks his hea

e you kidd

to face me again and asks

he goals, competing to knock down the posts. I chuckle. "No. They're in m

e raises a dark eye

myself. "You know w

wering sky. As Hudson moves in closer to me and our legs almost come into contact, I pretend not to notice. I wish I h

ng have you played soccer?" I exhaled, rel

ew me in head-first and I've love

ncing at me. I stare up at the sky as my face gets hot. "And

at is my favorite part, Hu

, "Yes, I would. Silently." My breath remains steady whi

been asked this before. "It's a very aggressive sport. If you're good enough

have a lot of pen

iving him a mildly accusing glance. Despite

? What goes through Coach Clara's mind as she

g," I fib, not knowing if I can honestly admit to mysel

moment, allowing various forms of tension to arise between us. I tell myself it's pro

nd says,

lent. Our hands are inching nearer one another as they rest on the metal that s

ts towards us. "Hud! Can we go, pretty please? A

asps Grace's hand. I smile broadly, pondering whether we had simply experienced a "moment

ow much I want them to stay. However, Grace is exhausted as sh

s my heart skip a beat. He wouldn't call me "Coach Clara," it's not like he's a child. So why is that two-wor

cle. Then his head vanishes inside the car, and I f

ed with rage or retaliation. The same grey eyes, but this tim