“Daddy, Coach C used to play as well, didn’t you?” She looks up at me with the widest, most innocent of eyes.
“Um…yeah, I did,” I confess awkwardly. “My daddy taught me everything I know, too.”
Kodie makes a scoffing noise, and my eyes shoot to his. “I very much doubt that’s true,” he seethes.
My chin drops, shock rendering me useless.
“Kodie,” Kathleen snaps in shock while Sutton looks between me and Kodie with wide eyes.
“We need to go,” he states before spinning around, swiping her gear bag from the floor, and stalking toward the exit.
“I’m so sorry,” Kathleen breathes. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”
“Daddy can be grumpy when he’s had a long day,” Sutton adds, desperately trying to defend him.
“It’s fine. I know how hard your daddy and the team work. Go andbe nice to him, okay?”
If it’s possible, her smile grows wider.
“You’ve got it, Coach. See you Sunday.”
“Not if I see you first,” I tease before walking away, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest.
“Everything okay?” Megan asks as I join her in sorting out equipment ready for the under tens.
“Yeah, everything’s great,” I lie.
“Casey, for fuck’s sake,” Parker complains. “Didn’t I warn you that something like this would happen?”
“Yes,” I sigh, flopping back on my couch and holding my cell above my face so I can still see her on the call.
“See, if you’d have just told him...”
“I know,” I snap. “I fucking know. I just…I didn’t want to lose him earlier than necessary.”
Parker sighs, her expression softening.
“I know, babe. But you should have told him when you first got the job.”
“What do I do now?”
It’s been hours since he walked away from me. I worked with Megan and Jamie with the under tens, and then Megan and I chatted about applying for my coaching certification for just over an hour. But despite the time that has passed, I haven’t heard a single thing from Kodie.
I think the radio silence might be worse than anything else.
At least if he were shouting at me, I’d know how he felt.
“Has he said anything?”
“Nope.”
“Then you need to make the first move.” I know that. I do. I just…don’t want to.
I’ve always had this deep-rooted fear of upsetting my dad. He was always away so much that when he was at home, the last thing I wanted to do was disappoint him. That familiar feeling is taking up room right now.
I’ve disappointed Kodie, and I hate myself for it.
It’s all my own fault. I could have prevented it. But I was scared.
