He gives Hamilton a hopeless stare, but he nods anyway, turning for the door, swinging it open, and walking out.
When the door clicks shut behind him, Hamilton clears her throat. “I have to ask now that he is gone,” she starts. “How did this happen? Who…you know…started with who first? Not that it matters, but I’m just trying to wrap my head around it. Torres has always been professional, and never the one to let a student or athlete sway him. Of course, I’ve noticed the girls flirt with him here and there and he’s a good-looking guy so that is a given, but he’s always been so focused and dedicated to his job and never the one to flirt back.”
I look down at the stack of papers on her desk. “It was mutual, Coach. In fact, I started it. I think he just got lost in the moment with me and we took things a little too far.”
She sighs, then presses her lips as if she’s really hurt by the decisions that had to be made today. “Well, I want you to promise me from now on that you’ll focus on track and school. I just—I can’t imagine what would have happened if it had been Foster or even another athlete seeing you two together. I would have had no choice but to escalate this and that would have been horrible for both of you.”
“I understand…and I appreciate you not escalating this.”
“Of course. Well,” she sighs, pushing to a stand, “That’s all for now, Lakes. I want you to enjoy your summer and train as much as you possibly can.”
I stand with her and walk to the door. “I will.”
She nods when I look back and walk out.
You know, it could have been much, much worse…but this still feels like a loss either way. What was Torres thinking by resigning on my behalf? I would have given up the scholarship for him to keep his job because I know how important it is to him, but instead he beat me to it. He lost his job so I could stay.
I walk down the hall to his office, but he isn’t there, so I take my phone out and send him a text. When he tells me where he is, I immediately leave the offices to meet him.
FORTY-SEVEN
Torres is leaning against his car in the faculty parking lot, his arms folded across his chest, and his head and eyes cast downward.
I slow my pace as I stand on the sidewalk, watching him a moment. There’s an instant tightening in my chest. A part of me wants to run up to him and hug him, but another part of me wants to run away and sulk because technically I just cost him his job.
I move anyway, and when he hears me approaching, his head lifts. He looks exhausted. I bet he didn’t sleep last night either.
He immediately pushes off the vehicle and before I can say anything or even attempt greet him, he says, “Ride with me.” Then he opens the passenger door and gestures for me to get inside.
I side-eye him as I walk past to get in. He shuts the door behind me and is behind the steering wheel in a matter of seconds, starting the ignition.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“My place. Buckle up.”
I clip my seatbelt then press the back of my head to the headrest. He leaves the parking lot and drives off campus, taking the twenty-minute drive to get to his apartment complex.
Parking, he climbs out of the car and I get out with him, sighing as I follow him to his door. When we’re inside his place, he drops his keys on the kitchen counter and trudges to the living room, sitting on the sofa.
I stand a moment, looking around the still apartment, watching as he tosses his head back and stares at the ceiling. There isn’t an expression on his face. It’s just blank.
I finally move, taking the spot next to him. I don’t sit too closely, though. For some reason, I feel like he’s regretting what we did, and I don’t want to test the limits of his patience right now.
“Joaquin,” I whisper, twisting my fingers in my lap. “I’m so sorry. I really wish there was a better way for this to have worked out. I don’t want you to lose your job because of me.”
He lowers and shakes his head. “This was my decision, Amber. Resigning was the smartest thing I could do. At least with a resignation, it won’t tarnish my reputation or yours. I can apply for another coaching job if I want and Hamilton has already agreed to write a letter of recommendation for me…so long as I’m only coaching boys.” He chuckles at that, trying to lighten the mood.