Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
“I miss you so much,” I said, burying my face in her shoulder.
“I miss you more, and of course, I wanted you to come back. You’re the best player I’ve ever coached.” She pulled away, and I looked in the opposite direction of the crowd to wipe my face quickly. “I really wish you’d consider going pro.”
I smiled sadly and hugged her again. Playing in the USWNT had been a dream of mine. I’d idolized Michelle Akers. I’d been mentioned in conversations with some of the best players, and then, nothing. After the tragedies, I’d tried to go back, but I couldn’t without Mom watching. The weight of my guilt didn’t let me concentrate enough to dribble the ball, let alone be the striker I used to be. When we pulled away, Coach Bev showed me the plaque. It was surreal seeing my name memorialized like that. I’d won the most prestigious award in the nation, but somehow, it meant more to me, knowing that girls for generations to come would see this and be inspired by it. I ran my fingers over it and breathed, enjoying this brief moment. I pulled up the microphone and said, “Thank you,” as everyone stood and clapped. What else was there to say? I felt unworthy and wasn’t going to stand here saying it had been the honor of my life to play soccer for this school. It had been, but saying it aloud felt fucked up since I’d quit on them halfway through. We posed for a picture, and Coach Bev and I spoke a little more when we left the stage. I returned to my seat, giving high fives on the way, while a basketball player started speaking into the mic.
When I got there, everyone at my table stood. I gave Coach Jameson a quick side hug, kissed my father on the cheek, and gave the rest of them a side hug before taking my seat. Everyone kept talking. Jameson and Dad got out of their seats for something while the rest of us stayed seated. Despite the despondent look I knew was on my face, my hands shook in my lap. I felt a hand reach out and settle over them. Lachlan was terrible for my emotions. His touch felt like a defibrillator, jolting me back to life, but it also made me feel safe enough to stop shaking.
“Nightmare?” he asked quietly. I finally met his eyes and felt my mouth move into a small smile. His eyes dropped to my lips, making wings flap inside my stomach.
“The worst kind.” I turned and ignored him for the rest of the luncheon, for his sake more than mine.
“You’re being very rude, Lyla,” he said as I stepped out of the bathroom.
The air in my lungs left me as I stood there. Frozen. Panicked. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. The luncheon was over. I thought for sure I’d escaped him. Apparently not. I hadn’t been alone with him in a long time. I wasn’t entirely sure what my options were, but the thought of him cornering me here, of all places, was making my heart rate triple in speed. Not in a good way, like Lach did. My eyes darted around quickly, searching for someone to help me escape, but no one was around. This man had to be the luckiest creep alive. I took a breath and summoned all of the courage I had inside.
“Fuck you,” I said, quieter than I meant, as I tried to get around him.
He grabbed my arm and squeezed tightly. “Respect, Lyla.”
“I hate you.” I yanked my arm away.
“You know what they say about love and hate.” He smiled, walking toward me. I moved back so fast that I crashed against the wall behind me. He lowered a hand and squeezed my left breast over my shirt. My heart stopped beating. “Do you need a demonstration of how much I love you?”
I was shaking, but somehow, I pushed him off me with both hands. He was much bigger than me, so I knew he’d moved on purpose. Maybe because we finally heard voices approaching. It didn’t matter what the reason was. I ran. Behind me, I heard him laugh. My heart was pounding so hard, my head spinning so fast, that as I turned the corner, I almost ran right into Lachlan, who grabbed my shoulders to stop me.
“This isn’t what I meant when I said you should play hockey.” He smirked. I looked over my shoulder and back at him. He frowned. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I looked over my shoulder again. “I. . .I...I have to go.”
I started to walk away, but he grabbed my wrist. I met his eyes, and a shiver went down my spine at what I saw in them. Unlike the encounter I just experienced, Lachlan’s touch didn’t make me panic or want to run away. It filled me with comfort and something else. I wasn’t quite sure what.