Look out for the <>!

"Ok, home game match is tomorrow. So we are going to review some plays today," Dad says 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 shake my head as I look around at the boys. My eyes linger on Charles who smirks at me. It makes my skin crawl. Rick wraps his arm around Charles, whispering something into his ear. The small crowd around Charles confirms his growing posy. He is slowly taking control and soon Charles would be doing the same things as before and getting away with it. It makes me sick.

With every passing day, Charles makes me hate my time here. I wonder how many other people feel the same way. I now loath coming to practice, seeing his face. The only little reprieve I get is Everett.

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

As the crowd leaves, I turn 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 sighs, too tired to fight. It seems like that is all I want to do with him. Fight. Make my voice known. He's tired but doesn't fight back.

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

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

It doesn't feel like I am. I'm less than that. I cannot help it as tears well in my eyes, getting frustrated. I have spent months helping in the team, pouring my soul into it, but slowly I feel like I have less power. I wipe my eyes, I stand up a little taller. "My place? Do not even start with me."

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

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

Quickly, I wipe my nose, trying to regain myself.

"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 says to Everett.

I glare at Dad, although he doesn'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 leaves.

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

I lean into him, soaking up the embrace.

"I set up the interview with the newspaper for tomorrow, after the game. Want to come?" He asks in a hushed voice.

My heart beats faster. Yes. A thousand times over. I cannot stand the sight of Charles any longer. I cannot listen to the whispers in the locker room any more, warning freshmen about him. He needs to be removed. "Of course I do."

"Good. I want you there." He lets go of me and pulls his phone out of his pocket. "My dad's here."

"We should see him then."

"I guess so."

I follow Everett to the main entrance of the Woody and wave as I see Everett's father standing on the other side of the glass doors. He wears all Ohio State gear from his pants to sweater. There is a large grin on his face as if he cannot contain his excitement.

"Hey Dad," Everett says as he opens the door.

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

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

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

We continue to walk down the hall until we make it to the field.

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

I nod. "Talk to you later."

He turns to Dale and smirk. "You're in good hands."

"I know I am."

With that, he leaves us alone.

As Dale looks around, I sigh. The anger I have towards my father is still present, but I try to hide it. "So, want to start with cafeteria? We can work our way down," I ask, drawing his attention back to me.

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

I turn to face him and nod. His cheery face causes my blood to boil. He looks like the best coach out there, but at this moment he is nowhere near the best. "Yeah, this is-"

"I'm Dale," Everett's father says, 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 says eagerly.

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

Dad smiles. "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 beams. "That would be the highlight of my year."

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

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

"Coach! There you are!" Tad calls 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 walks away, leaving us.

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

He wouldn't say that if he knew the truth. "Yeah, so lucky," I mumble then clap my hands. "Okay, let's get this tour started. Follow me."

As we walk through the halls, I point out important things that might interest him. He awes and oohs at the smallest things. There is such wonder in his eyes, like a kid in a candy factory.

"Has Everett ever shown you this place before?" I ask 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 causes me to give my full attention to him. "He doesn't talk about her."

He shrugs. "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 9."

I try not to be upset that Everett hasn't told me this big fact. There is so much that I don't understand about Everett. He is slow to let me in. I just hope that one day he will share everything.

Dale looks out onto the practice field from the cafeteria and stares at the players practicing throws. "You can see the players so well here. Is that Charles?"

I follow his gaze and stare at him. "You know him?"

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

Whoa now. He said what? Did I hear that correctly? I take a step back. Everett never mentioned this. Out of all the things he hasn't told me, this one hits the hardest. I feel like I should have known this. I feel betrayed that he hasn't shared.

"He never told you?" he asks with concern, fearing he has said too much. But he is an Ohioian, if I ask the right questions, he will spill all the beans. I just wish Everett is like Dale in this regard.

I shake my head as I lean 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 shrugs. "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 mouth as I watch Charles high five Rick.

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

I have no worry about that, trust me. "Do you know why they broke up?" I ask as my heart pounds in my chest. It's clear that I do not know the whole story.

He shrugs. "Beats me."

I force 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 has a habit of, if it is important, he never shares.