Look out for the <>!!!

"So, Everett's doing a one-on-one training with Tyler today. But the thing is, Everett has never requested that before," Dad said as he put his phone back into his pocket. "I was wondering if you have something to do with that?"

My hands grew sweaty as I thought about the conversation Everett and I had the day before. There was a reason I didn't say much about the date when I walked into the house that night. "Probably not. He probably just wants someone on one training for the big game coming up," I lied as I tried to look as casual as I could.

"You might have a point there."

As we pulled into the parking lot, my heart started to race. Concerns about running into Everett filled my mind. I still had no idea what to say to him and I felt like I needed to stay away until I worked out my thoughts.

"Hey, do you mind if I leave a little earlier today? I'm going to study for a big test," I said.

"Say no more! Leave whenever you need to. Just please make those copies for me before you head out." He pointed towards a car by the sidewalk. "I think that's Shelly's car. He's going to get a ticket today."

"That's unfortunate."

"You got that right." We walked into the Woody. "Also, don't forget to run those reports to Tyler. We need to see who will be going through the transfer portal for next year."

I still wasn't clear on the transfer portal and the more I asked about it, the fuzzier it got. From what I understood, it was common for college players to switch schools based on how much they would give them. Dad mentioned that most of the players on our team stay for only a year or two before transferring to another school.

"Do you think Charles will use the transfer portal to go to another school?" I asked as the thought popped into my mind.

He stopped in his tracks. He frowned quickly as he stroked his mustache. "It's possible. He could use it just like any other athlete."

But the thing was, he wasn't like any other athlete. He should be bared. And Dad knew that too.

"Alright, anyhow, one more thing, we're leaving for the match tomorrow afternoon," he said, changing the topic. "Do you want to come? It's just Toledo U, so the drive won't be so far."

Up until last night, I wanted to go, but now, being on the bus with Everett... the thought made my stomach tie in knots.

I bit my lip as I tried to come up with a way to let Dad down slowly.

"It'll be fun. I promise you."

I forced a smile. Even though he wanted me there, I wasn't sure if I would have the courage. Two hours was a long enough bus ride, but maybe I could avoid him if I sat by someone else. The team was big and if I brought homework, how hard could it be?

"Sure, I'll come," I said with a sigh.

He beamed. "Great. I'll see you at home tonight and we can talk about the details of the trip. You're going to love it! Away games are like a rodeo. There're snacks, prizes, and a little bit of action along with a show.

But there was a part of the show I was trying to avoid. "Cool, see you at home then," I said as I waved him goodbye then left to make the copies of the upcoming plays.

______________________________

After spending a few hours at the Woody, I was at the local boba shop getting a cup of tea when Rick caught my eyes. He smiled brightly, then waved at me. He walked across the road without a care in the world, as if he wasn't skipping practice.

There was a reason I left early, but he looked like he was just hanging out with some friends. Whatever he was doing couldn't be more important than practice.

Rick walked up to me and gave me a friendly embrace, but he lingered a little longer than I wanted him to. "Hey, Nora, you smell good today."

I untangled myself from him and forced a smile as his friends waited across the street. "Thanks. Soap will do wonders to anyone."

He chuckled as he quickly went up to the stand and ordered some boba tea.

"Why are you skipping practice?" I asked. With a game coming up, I would think he would want to be more invested.

"Who said I was skipping?" he winked.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, he wouldn't admit it. Maybe he learned to be smarter than Charles to get caught. "I'm skipping," I added, as if that would coax him to spill.

"You're a rebel now."

"Guess I am." We let silence fill the air as I watched the two people on the other side of the road wait for Rick. "Who are your friends?" I asked as I pointed to them.

"They're not that important."

I looked at his neck that had evidence of the girl's lipstick on it. Obviously, they were more important than he would admit. "Yeah, ok. Well, I think the girl is missing you."

He glanced at her before turning his attention back to me. "Nah, she'll be fine. She's with Charles and he'll give her attention."

I looked over at the dark-haired man who was shorter than I would have guess, but his strong build made up for his height.

He made eye contact with me and gave a smile that made my hair stand on end. There was something in his eyes that said he thought of me as nothing more than an item to be bought. He was bad news, and I didn't have to talk to him to know that.

"The ex-player?" I asked.

Rick nodded. "Want to say hello? I can introduce you."

Even though my hands were sweaty, I forced a smile to come to my lips. Of course I wanted to meet the person that caused so much damage for myself. "I would love to meet him."

"I'll call him over," he said as he waved to Charles.

Charles nodded as he hurried across the road, making a car screech to a stop in front of him, blaring its horn in frustration.

I eyed him as he closed the gap between us. He walked like he owned the place. That was something Everett and him had in common. "You know, J-walking's a crime here."

Charles shrugged as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Say that to the people in Hilltop."

I knew where that western Columbus neighborhood was, but I couldn't say much about it. "I've never been to that neighborhood before."

"It's where I grew up. You're missing out."

"So Charles, this is Nora Orban."

His eyebrows rose in realization. Suddenly I was more interesting than just a friend of Rick's. I was the daughter of the coach that got him kicked off the team. "Coach's daughter?"

"The one and only," I said although I wasn't. Sorry Vera.

"It's nice to meet you."

I nodded. "Nice to meet you, too."

"Nora is the intern this year," Rick explained.

Charles smiled. "Nepotism at its finest."

My cheeks grew hot. "I'm not getting paid to be there," I snapped, getting defensive.

He raised his hands as he took a step back. "Just calling it as I see it."

I bit my tongue. I shouldn't engage. He was just looking for a fight.

He glanced at Rick before turning to me with another smile. "Is coach still as cheery as ever?"

I now wished I didn't call Charles over. The more I talked to him, the more uncomfortable I felt. I wanted him to leave. "Hasn't changed."

"I'm surprised, a lot of shit happened. I would think that would wear someone down."

The way he walked about Dad rubbed me the wrong way. It showed little respect. It frustrated me that after all my dad did; he was joking around about it. "Did it wear you down?" I probed.

He winked as he wrapped his arm around me as if we were best friends. "I like you, Nora."

Quickly, I untangled from his grasp before any more of his sandalwood cologne rubbed off on me.

He dropped his hand with a grin. "I'm guessing you've heard about me?"

"More like whispers."

He smirked. "I always wanted to be a ghost, always remembered, haunting the halls of the stadium...sounds nice." He clapped his hands. "Well, Nora, it's been a fun, but I'll talk to you later. Rick and I have some things to do."

Relief flooded through me. I think I had enough of him. "See you around."

"Oh, you can be sure of that. I'll keep my eyes out for you," Charles said.

With drinks in his hand, Rick waved to me. "Talk to you later, Nojo."

My stomach turned into knots again. I did not enjoy him using my nickname. That was just for family or people in my circle. Rick would never be in that circle, especially if he was friends with Charles. "See you."

He winked before walking across the street, leaving me on the corner.

I had no expectations of Charles, but as I talked to him, I realized that all the whispers and things Everett said were true. Charles was not a good person and Rick was right alongside him.

Breaking me from my thoughts was when Tad came up to me with a smirk. "Handled like a champ." He applauded me.

My head snapped towards him. Was today skipping day or was practice let out early? "Gotta do what I have to. But anyhow, Rick's getting on my nerves."

"He gets on everyone's nerves. So, what did you think of Charles?" Tad asked as he got his drink from the counter of the boba shop.

I frowned as Rick, Charles and the girl walked farther from us. Charles held the girl's butt as if she was his. It made me feel queasy. "He makes my skin crawl. Has he always been like that?"

"Always." He nodded. "Your father said he has no favorites, but we all knew he didn't like him."

"From the beginning?"

"From the beginning." He nodded. "Midway through the season, he asked me to monitor Charles and report back."

"Dad asked me to monitor Everett."

"That's probably for different reasons. Your father likes Everett. Everett's as difficult as hell, but your dad sees something in him, don't know what that is though." He sipped his tea for a moment before adding, "You know, I told your dad midseason that Charles was doing some shady things. But yet he stayed the whole season on the team."

My face twisted up in distaste. Another person warned Dad about him. There was so much about this Charles story that didn't sit right with me. Why did he play so long when everyone seemed to tell Dad he was bad news? "Why did he stay so long?"

Tad chuckled. "Ask the university. They always make the final call."

"That's sickening."

"You're telling me. But what can you do about it? It's just how it is. At least they kicked him off the team. I have heard stories of past players staying much longer."

I remembered Dad mentioning that this was a problem all over many big universities. It was because the schools cared only about the sports, not about the people. It wasn't right.

"Anyhow, can we stop this? All these questions are such downers. I want to drink my boba and talk about weekend plans. So, are you going?"

I nodded as I forced a smile, although I wasn't happy with the subject change. "Yeah, I'll go."

"Yes!" Tad said as he high fived me. "We're going to have so much fun."

"Do you go to all the away games?"

Tad nodded. "Of course, it's my job. But with you, it will make it more exciting. Toledo doesn't have a great team this year, so it will be a walk in the park."

"I hope you know I'm going to relay on you a lot this weekend."

"Don't you already do that?" he chuckled.

I pushed him.

"I'm just poking fun at you. But in all honesty, away games are my favorite. Who doesn't like a free hotel stay?"