He busied himself by shuffling files from left to right and back again. “I’ll be sad to see you go, Tanner. We all will, but I understand. I’ll draft up an email explaining your decision and reasons. Perhaps it’s for the best for all concerned.”
“Perhaps it is.”
We both stood and shook hands. The decision to leave my position at St. Brigid’s had been something I thought I’d never make without significant consideration or without having another job in place. But enough was enough. Over the years, my name had been whispered in the locker rooms once too often.
Rumors of me having had affairs with an untold number of girls and faculty members caught like wildfire every year. Besides Brenda, not once had I been tempted to get involved with anyone on or off school property. Brenda was the only student I’d ever had feelings for, and I’d pushed her out of my mind until she became my colleague.
After leaving the office and sending Principal Santino the report about Miranda’s behavior, I made my way to the track. The girls were being put through their paces by Brenda, who looked more than edible in a pair of black shorts and tight tank. I jogged up beside her while admiring the flare of her hips and the curve of her ass. “How are they looking?”
She gave me a sideways glanced and grinned. “They look like winners. What did the principal want?”
I shrugged. “He wanted to talk about the meet. Wanted me to wish the girls well.” Lying wasn’t something I wanted to do, but I also didn’t want to tell her we were the subject of petty, spiteful rumors. Pretty soon, what people said would be none of my concern or hers.
The girls sped across the finish line, and as they did, Miranda caught my eye. When she came to a stop, she grinned and waved her fingers in my direction. A wave I didn’t return. She might have won the battle, but she hadn’t won the war.Chapter Nine - BrendaExcited chatter filled the bus. As well as the various track and field teams, lots of other students had come to show their support. A sense of anticipation filled the air, and pre-race jitters jumped around my belly.
It wasn’t like I was the one racing, but I couldn’t help but feel nervous excitement for the girls. Liz sat beside me with her AirPods firmly in place. She had her eyes closed, and determination lined her face. Last night, rather than go over to Tanner’s, I stayed with Liz and Gram. We’d all had an early night to prepare for today.
Ever since Tanner had come to school as the athletic director, St. Brigid’s had taken home more trophies and medals than any other school in our state. I had no doubt Liz would beat my record and bring home the meet of champions trophy—that was if Miranda stayed out of her lane and didn’t cheat.
When we pulled into the parking lot for the meet, Liz blew out a shuddering breath. “This is it.” I didn’t miss the slight wobble in her lower lip.
I yanked her into my arms. “You’ve got this.”
“Thanks, sis.”
We found our designated area and set up our tent. Tanner carried a cooler filled with waters and Gatorade, his muscles bulging, earning him admiring glances from everyone he passed.
“Coach Cutie is looking extra cute today, isn’t he?” Liz nudged my arm.
Behind us, the other girls snickered.
“Why don’t you ask your sister about what happened beneath the bleachers last weekend,” Miranda said. That set the girls into howls of laughter. Fire burned my cheeks, and my breakfast was in danger of making a reappearance.
I spun around. “Why don’t you focus on the race and not on spreading vicious rumors, Ms. Halpern.”
She raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “Whatever. Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.”
I wanted to ask her what she meant, but an announcement saying that the girls had to warm up for their races stopped me.
I glanced at Tanner, who was deep in conversation with someone I didn’t recognize. Did he know that Miranda somehow knew what had happened beneath the bleachers between us?
Panic twisted my insides. He could lose his job and end up blacklisted.
On the way over to the practice field, I held a hand against my stomach. Liz caught up with me and draped an arm over my shoulder.
“Ignore Miranda. She’s doing her best to psyche me out before the race by getting to you.”
“Have you heard any rumors about the coach and me?”
“Do you know how many rumors there are about him? Every day there’s a new one. I don’t believe a single word. But I see the way he looks at you and the way you look at him. So, y’know, I’d be cool if you two were a thing.”