by Claire Adams
After the musicians took their places, Corsica appeared on stage. She floated along looking like some figment of my desires in a perfect black dress and patent-leather pumps. Her hair was loose and spilled over her shoulders, glowing in the soft light of the spotlight. She looked at home, happy, and in her element.
The music swelled, and I stopped breathing. Stars burst along the corners of my eyesight before I could manage a shaky breath. Corsica opened her smiling mouth and sang the first verse of the song that had haunted me all through my trek across the desert.
I blinked and stopped breathing, then gasped for air. Corsica was either a mirage come to life or I had somehow gotten my wish. I wanted to talk to her face to face and there she was.
I stood up though my mother tried to stop me. The gravitational pull of Corsica in that spotlight was too strong. I had to be near her, I had to know she was real. I walked through the tables scattered around the small stage until I was standing directly in front of her.
She saw me and kept singing, each note drumming all of my doubts away.
I loved Corsica. That was it. That was all I could think and when the song ended and the whole restaurant paused to hear me address the angel in the spotlight, that was all I said.
"I love you."
Corsica apologized to her band and stepped down to face me.
I didn't even give her a chance to speak, the words tumbled out of me. "I love you, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"So where have you been?" she asked, her eyes bright.
"It doesn't matter," I said, taking her hands. "Everywhere I go just leads back to you."
Then she smiled. "Ah, now we're getting somewhere."
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Epilogue
I ran down the beach as fast as I could, but even the punishing pace couldn't burn away the joy I felt. The beach house was more than my finish line. It was my home.
"What's your hurry?" Penn called from the deck. "Now that you're done with your morning run, we're going back to bed, right?"
I laughed despite my heavy breathing. "I thought you wanted to sleep in."
"Only with you." He caught me as soon as I stepped on the deck.
"Stop! I'm all sweaty!"
He nuzzled my neck and growled deep in his throat. "And, you taste delicious."
"No, really stop. We have to get ready. Today's the big day," I reminded him.
Penn didn't stop until his kisses made me lose track of all time. Then he leaned back and beamed down at me. "We can be late, can't we?"
I shook my head, though I was too content to leave his arms. "The ceremony can't start until we're there."
"I can't wait to walk you down the aisle," Penn said with another hungry kiss.
This time I did push him back, the bright ring on my finger glinting in the morning sun. "That's not until April. Today is all about your parents."
"Today is all about love, as my mother keeps reminding me. Surely, she'll understand if love is what makes us late."
I couldn't resist Penn any longer. I distracted him with a kiss and then lunged for the sliding glass door. "I'll race you to the shower."
He caught me halfway through the kitchen and I was overjoyed when those hard, tattooed arms closed around me. I looked up at him and wondered again how lucky I was.
Once we were done with assumptions, it was just us and we were so very happy.
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BAD COACH
By Claire Adams
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 Claire Adams
CHAPTER 1
Eryn
The tension in the air was almost tangible. Everyone's nerves were on edge, everyone's breath was held, and my team was collectively hanging in the balance. After four hard-fought rounds, it had come down to this one play. The games were tied up at two a piece, and we stood at the ready to defend our one-point lead. Fourteen to thirteen – this could be the deciding play. If we took this point, we'd take the game and the match.
Our opponent, however, had the serve. I was positioned at the net on the left: my favorite position. I watched the serve come in, waited for it to be received – which it successfully was – and then sent back over the net.
Over the net…and right in the direction of their two best players, Kelly and Tammy. They always worked as a pair, and I could see the set up for a spike coming from a mile away. I dashed in fast and low, correctly anticipating the spike, and managed to block it with a low dive. In the process, I set it up for a perfect counter-spike which my best friend Leena smashed with almost poetic perfection.
The ball zipped between two players and bounced just inside the line. We had the point.
My team let out a cheer of victory, and we all rushed in to hug each other. I gripped Leena tightly, smiling and basking in the joy of our victory.
“That was a perfect block!” she exclaimed. “How did you see that spike coming?”
I shrugged as I detached myself from our embrace. “K and T weren't exactly too subtle about their movements. I saw it coming.”
“Really? ‘Cause, I didn't.”
I glanced across and saw the pair of them glaring daggers at me. They were clearly not happy about the fact that I'd ruined what they had thought was a perfect set-up maneuver. I couldn't understand why they were so mad, though. It was just practice…wasn't it?
The harsh blast of a whistle jolted me from my thoughts.
“All right, ladies, gather round! Before ya’ll hit the showers, I just want to tell you about this coach situation.”
My practice team, the second string, mingled with the team of starters we had been playing against and gathered around Coach Hatting. Coach Hatting had temporarily come out of retirement to coach us over the past few weeks while the powers that be searched for a new coach. His small, blue eyes swept across the crowd of young women in front of him, chewing gum as he did, causing his square, stubble-covered jaw to move back and forth like a bull's and crinkle the heavy wrinkles around his eyes.
“Now, as ya’ll know, today was my last practice with you ladies. I'm too old for this, gosh darn it. And as much as I love the game, I've got a beach house that needs fixing and a fishing boat that ain't seeing nearly enough use. I only came out of retirement because of the…incident involving your previous coach, but we ain't gonna speak about that now. Water under the bridge.
“You all did well today – and some of you did exceptionally well.” A rush of nerves washed over me as his eyes met mine.
“Miss Barnett,” he said to me, “only God knows why you haven't been on the starting line-up the last two years, but if I had been the coach during your time here, you'd have been a starter for every single game.”
I couldn't help but blush and feel a gush of pride – and sadness at the same time. Coach Hatting was right. For three pre-seasons, I'd worked my butt off, but had never been picked for the starting line-up. The team all had theories as to why that was, but, of course, we couldn't say anything – not until the allegations against our former coach had been proved.
“Anyways, Miss Barnett, I'll be speaking to the new coach about you and giving him a strong recommendation that you be included in the line-up. And you as well, Miss Sykes,” he said, looking now at Leena.
“As for the rest of you, some of those who have been consistently placed on the starting line… Well, I have to be honest. If it were up to me, some of you would be warming benches. I'll be speaking to the new coach about that, too, mark my words.”
Leena and I both discreetly glanced across at Tammy and Kel
ly. Their faces reddened with what I was certain to be both embarrassment and rage. Both had been starters since our freshmen year, regardless of their performance. Now for the first time, the certainty that they would simply make the starting line-up without putting in any effort wasn’t as secure as they might have thought, and the looks on their faces said they didn't like it – not one bit.
“Before I say my farewells,” Coach Hatting continued, “let me tell you a bit about the new coach. First up, he's a lot younger than I am – and I'd say a sight better looking, too, so you young ladies better keep your eyes on the ball and not the piece of eye candy that's coming in!”
We all laughed, and Coach Hatting chuckled at his own joke. Despite his often harsh attitude on the court, he had a soft heart underneath it all.
“The new coach’s name hasn’t been announced to the press yet. The board wanted you ladies to hear it first. But, it will be public knowledge later this evening. His name is Wade Vinson. I'm sure most of you have heard of him.”
A ripple of hushed whispers rolled through the gathered volleyball players, and I knew exactly why.
Wade Vinson was something of a celebrity, not only in the volleyball world, but in the gossip magazines and tabloids, as well. He'd recently split from a two-year relationship with Hollywood A-list actress Georgia Jackson amidst a storm of controversy and rumors. It had been all over the press and social media a few months back.
“As ya’ll know, Mr. Vinson is an ex-pro and won Olympic gold, so he knows his stuff. And, ya’ll know how he helped coach the UCLA men's team to a top spot two years in a row, so we're really hoping he can do the same for you.
“Also, he happens to be a graduate of this very university, though I’m sure some of you know that, too. He and his teammates put Florida State University on the map in the volleyball world. I should know, I coached him back in the day when he was a rising star here. And I can tell you, the man has skills on the volleyball court!
“Anyways, he'll be here on Monday to start practices. I wish you young ladies all the best. There's some fantastic potential, some amazing talent right here in front of me, and I sure do hope that Mr. Vinson puts his all into developing it as best he can. As for me – that's all for now, folks. It's been a good – if tiring – few weeks.”
“Thank you, Coach Hatting!” many of us shouted together.
He smiled, and I almost thought I caught sight of tears sparkling in his eyes as he waved goodbye to us. Then, he turned around and shuffled off. The girls started to disperse, picking up water bottles, towels, and gym bags, and heading to the locker room to hit the showers.
Leena and I gathered our things and talked on the way to the showers.
“I'm actually kinda sad to see Coach Hatting go,” I confided. “He's been so good, and I’ve learned a few things from him. Not to mention, he’s so fair.”
“Yeah, he's really great,” replied Leena, “but how cool is it that Wade freakin' Vinson is coming to coach us! Like, oh my God! Not only is he a gold medalist and former pro, but he's super hot, too.”
She giggled, and I leaned into her shoulder with mine playfully.
“Come on, Leena, don't be ridiculous.”
“What? You don't think he's just gorgeous?”
I rolled my eyes. “All right, all right, he's pretty damn good looking. But from what I hear, he's a bit of a douchebag, and you know with all this Hollywood gossip stuff and him being involved in those kinda circles, the odds are those rumors are likely true. And jeez, what are we even doing talking about him like that! I mean he's like thirty-something. Seriously. I'm twenty-one, you're twenty. He's old!”
“Thirty-two isn't that much older than us, Eryn,” countered Leena. “Hell, I'd do him.”
I gasped with mock shock. “Noooo, Leena! You slut!” I joked, and we both laughed.
“Yep, that’s me. Leena the slut. But in all seriousness,” she said, “I think it'll be a good thing. I mean, you heard what Coach Hatting just said. He's gonna recommend us as starters to Vinson when he talks to him! We've both been dreaming of this and working our asses off for it for so long now. Especially you, with all the extra practices and workouts you put in.”
I nodded. “It's definitely been a long time coming. But you know what they say about hard work – it does pay off in the end. And hopefully, it's about to pay off for us in a big way.”
“Yeah, now that we no longer have a coach who chooses who's in the starting line-up based on how big a bribe her parents paid him.”
I shook my head. It still pissed me off to think about it. “Do you really think those rumors about Coach Edwards are true?”
“Are you kidding?” she replied. “They have to be. Why else would you have been a benchwarmer the last two seasons when you're clearly one of the best players – if not the best player – on the team?”
I blushed, a bit embarrassed by Leena's praise. “C'mon, I'm not the best player on the team.”
“Like hell you're not! Quit being so modest. I mean seriously, you are here on a volleyball scholarship. That makes it even more criminal that you haven't been part of the starting line-up!”
“It does look like that might change now, though,” I replied with a smile.
“Yes, it does! Things seem to be changing for sure.”
I was about to respond when I heard my phone ringing in my gym bag. “Hold that thought, Lee, let me see who this is.”
I reached into my bag and grabbed my phone. When I looked at the screen, I shook my head as a flood of emotions rushed through me, none of them good.
When Leena saw my expression change, she glanced down at the screen and quickly snatched the phone away from me before I could answer it; she rejected the call, sending it straight to voicemail.
“Tim is a grade A asshat,” she said, shaking her head. “I can't believe that cheating douche is still trying to call you.”
“I wasn't gonna talk him,” I replied.
“Good. He doesn't deserve a single second of your time. He already wasted two semesters of it with his lies and cheating. Why is he trying to call you and message you all the time, anyway? I mean, it only started up around a week ago, right?”
“He broke up with Ma-”
“'The Whore,' Eryn, 'The Whore,'” Leena interrupted me. “I thought we'd agreed on calling her by her correct name, ‘cause that's what she is.”
“Well, whatever you wanna call her, they broke up. She dumped him-”
“Oh, and now he thinks he can just waltz right back into your life, huh? Hell, no. HELL to the no.”
“Don't worry, Lee. Like I said, I'm not gonna talk to him. It's over, and it's been over for a long time.”
“I hope so, Eryn. You know how much of a jerk he is. Even if you did love him, don’t forget how he had you fooled for so long. And, don't let your heart deceive your head – it was lies, not love, even if you really want to believe otherwise.”
“I know, I know.” We walked in silence until we reached the showers.
“All right, let's get cleaned up. Then how about grabbing a bite to eat afterward?” Leena asked.
“Not tonight, Lee,” I replied. “I'm going to stay at my mom's place for the night and make her dinner and then breakfast in the morning. That asshole store manager has her working double shifts this week.”
“Ugh, that's terrible. She really should be taking things a little easier at her age.”
“I know, Lee, believe me, I know – but it's tough for her being on her own. Times are hard, and there are bills to pay. My sister helps out when she can, but she's all the way across the country now and has a family of her own to provide for. Mom made a lot of sacrifices for my sister and me, and I gotta do what I can to help her out.”
“I understand. Well, maybe we can get coffee tomorrow morning if you've got a gap between lectures?”
“I do. We can do that. C'mon now, let's get showered up and then we'll make plans for tomorrow.”
*****
I
got out of the taxi and looked up at the front of the familiar building — the one I'd grown up in. It had never been a particularly attractive building, but these days, it was looking shabbier than ever. The plaster was cracked and stained around the corners, but the graffiti on the ground level at least incorporated it to mask it a bit.
My senses rose to full alert the moment I stepped out of the taxi; this had never been a great neighborhood, and it had gotten worse over the years. My first priority when I graduated college and started making a salary was going to be to get my mother out of this area.
I darted up to the entrance of the building and buzzed myself in, then bounded up the familiar flight of stairs until I reached my mom's door. Beyond it was the small, two-bedroom home where my sister and I had grown up, raised by a single mom after our dad walked out on us. I didn’t remember much about him, I'd been a toddler when he left.
I slid my key in the lock, opened the door, and walked in to the sound of the TV blaring. I saw my mom in front of it on the sofa, still dressed in her work uniform from the supermarket.
“Hi, Ma,” I called out. There was no reply. “Ma, did you hear me?” I moved a little closer and saw that her eyes were closed; her thin chest was rising up and down in a slow, gentle rhythm.
I sighed, feeling a stab of pain tear through my chest. “You really are killing yourself. I promise you that it's not always gonna be like this. Somehow, I'm gonna get you out of this cycle. You've spent too long now working yourself to the bone just to scrape by. I don't know how yet, but somehow I'm going to get you out of this situation,” I whispered and leaned down, pulling a blanket up over her sleeping form before gently placing a kiss on her forehead.
I tiptoed away, so as not to wake her from a nap she no doubt needed after a twelve-hour shift, and headed into the kitchen to quietly prepare dinner.