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"Ok, home game match is tomorrow. So we are going to review some plays today," Dad said to the group of men standing in the locker room a few days later. "Nora, have any words to say to this group before they get out there?"

I shook my head as I looked around at the boys. My eyes lingered on Charles as he smirked at me, making my skin crawl. Rick wrapped his arm around Charles, whispering something into his ear. The small crowd around Charles confirmed his growing posy. He was taking control and soon Charles would be doing the same things as before.

The thought caused me to kick the floor. With every passing day, Charles made me to hate my time here. He made me not want to come back. I wondered how many other people felt the same.

"Ok, that's all. Let's get to the theater," Dad said as he clapped his hands.

As the crowd left, I turned to Dad with a frown. "Is Charles playing in the game?"

"I don't know. It depends on what the university wants."

"So that will be a yes."

"Nora...." he sighed.

"Dad, I know your hands are tied, but he's a terrible person. Can't you see it?" I said as I rose my voice at him.

"Nora, don't you dare start with me." His tone was stern, causing me to step back. "You're just an intern. Remember your place."

This wasn't the first time he reminded me of this fact. I couldn't help it as tears welled in my eyes, getting frustrated. I had spent months help in the team, pouring my soul into it, and he was just so willing to give all of that up. As I wiped my eyes, I stood up a little taller. "My place? I am the coach's daughter. I am more than an intern."

Breaking us from our moment was when a throat cleared. "Um, coach, I wanted to mention that my father would come to practice today," Everett said from the door frame.

My eyes darted to his, wondering how much he heard. His concerned expression told me he heard enough.

Quickly, I wiped my nose.

"Thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure to give him a grand welcome and Nora will be sure to give him a tour. She needs a break from practice anyhow," Dad said to Everett.

I glared at Dad, although he didn't make eye contact. He may be just a prisoner to the University, but I thought he would at least try a little harder to fight against it. "Yeah, I can give him a tour."

With that, Dad left.

In the privacy of the room, Everett wrapped his arm around me.

I smiled as I leaned into him, soaking up the embrace.

"I set up the interview with the newspaper for tomorrow, after the game. Want to come?"

My heart beat faster. I didn't want it to come to this, but the University would not stop and my dad would not do anything more. They forced Everett to make this move. "Of course I do."

"Good. I want you there." He let go of me and pulled his phone out of his pocket. "Dad's here."

"We should see him then."

"I guess so."

I followed Everett to the main entrance of the Woody and waved as I saw Everett's father standing on the other side of the glass doors. He wore all Ohio State gear from his pants to sweater. There was a large grin on his face as if he couldn't contain his excitement.

"Hey Dad," Everett said as he opened the door.

"Hey there! Wow, this place looks so much larger then I thought."

Everett nodded. "It does, doesn't it? Well, I have to weight training today, but Nora will show you around."

"That's fine with me, if it's fine with you, of course," Dale said as he looked at me.

"It's way ok with me." I beamed. Anything that would give me space from my father was welcomed.

We continued to walk down the hall until we made it to the field.

"I'll talk to you later, okay?" Everett asked as he kissed me lightly.

I nodded. "Talk to you later."

He turned to Dale and smirked. "You're in good hands."

"I know I am."

With that, he left, leaving us alone.

As Dale looked around, I sighed. The anger I had towards my father was still present but I wanted to hide it. "So, want to start with cafeteria? We can work our way down," I asked, drawing his attention back to me.

"Hold up one minute. Nora, is this Everett's father?" Dad's voice rang out.

I turned to face him and nodded. His cheery face caused my blood to boil. He looked like the best coach out there, but at this moment he was nowhere near the best. "Yeah, this is-"

"I'm Dale," Everett's father said, cutting me off, shaking my father's hand.

"Nice to finally meet you. Boy, oh boy! This is such an honor. The father of Everett. I'm stoked that I have finally got to see you in the flesh and blood," Dad said eagerly.

"The honor is mine. I watch your games on TV every week."

Dad smiled. "Have you been to a game this season?"

"No. Not yet."

"Come to the game tomorrow. I'll get you the best seats in the house."

Dale beamed. "That would be the highlight of my year."

"Nora, can you get that set up for him?"

I nodded with a lack of emotion. "Sure can."

"Coach! There you are!" Tad called out to Dad, pulling his attention away from us.

"Well, that's my que. I have to go but I'll see you later alligator." With another smile, he walked away, leaving us alone in the hall.

"You're lucky to have a father like him," Dale said as he watched him leave through a pair of double doors.

"Yeah, so lucky," I mumbled then clapped my hands. "Okay, let's get this tour started. Follow me."

As we walked through the halls, I pointed out important things that might interest him. He awed and oohed at the smallest things. There was such wonder in his eyes that made me think he had not been here before.

"Has Everett ever shown you this place before?" I asked Dale.

"Nah, but he's busy. You know, after his mother left us, he started to spend more time by himself."

The mention of his mother caused me to turn my full attention to him. "He doesn't talk about her."

He shrugged as he looked out at the players practicing. "There isn't much to talk about. She was a free spirit. She never wanted to be tied down and finally she had enough. She left us with a note when Everett was 15."

I tried not to be upset that Everett hadn't told me these things. There was so much that I didn't understand about Everett. I just hoped that one day he would share everything.

He looked out onto the practice field and stared at the players practicing throws. "You can see the players so well here. Is that Charles?"

I followed his eyes and stared at him. "You know him?"

"Know him, Everett dated him for a while."

The news caused me to step back. Everett never mentioned this. Out of all the things he hadn't told me, he should have at least mentioned this.

"He never told you?" he asked with concern, fearing he said too much. But he was Ohioian, if I asked the right questions, he would spill all the beans.

I shook my head as I leaned against the guard rail, trying to look casual. "We really haven't talked about past relationships yet. You know, our relationship is still new. He probably would have told me soon enough. How long did they date for?"

Dale shrugged. "Maybe a month, maybe a little longer? Brought him to a family get together. Charles seemed like a good guy. He talked so highly of Everett. Honestly I think Charles was more in love with him then Everett was with him."

"Ah," I mouthed as I watched Charles high five Rick.

"But that was over a year ago. He's moved on. I promise you."

"Do you know why they broke up?" I asked as my heart pounded in my chest.

He shrugged, causing me to let out a sigh. "Beats me."

I forced a smile to hide my disappointment. "Ah. Oh well. Probably not important."

"Probably not. If it was, I was sure he would have told me."

Well that's something Everett had a habit of, if it was important, he never shared.