Possessive Coach

I double back and frown. It takes me a long moment to digest what I’m reading. Fortunately, Hardy is in early for once, so I knock on his door and poke my head inside. “Got a second?”

He grunts and nods. “Sure. Just going over yesterday’s practice.”

“I saw the sign on your door.”

“Oh, yeah, good. There are a few hanging up in the locker room. Make sure the guys all know.”

“Who’s running the drug test?” I ask. “Is this a school thing or is it the NCAA?”

“League,” he says. “Which makes it more of a pain in the ass. They have a few days to sober up and do whatever they have to do, so make sure they know.”

“Got it.” I tilt my head. “Think anyone will fail?”

“Probably,” he says and sighs. “They always do. Fucking idiots. Can’t stay off weed long enough to think straight.”

“Seems like a dumb thing to get in trouble for.”

“Weed usually gets a slap on the wrist at worst. It’s the more serious drugs. And steroids. If they’re caught on steroids, they could be done forever. That’s the sort of thing that ruins someone’s career.”

“Huh,” I say. “Let’s hope nobody’s using.”

“They’re not,” he says, frowning. “Or at least they better not be.”

“I’ll spread the word.” I grin at Hardy. “Have a good one.”

He grunts again and goes back to his computer. I turn and leave his office, walking fast down the hall, my steps echoing off the empty walls. I feel the seeds of a plan forming in my mind.

It’s crazy, definitely crazy, but it might actually work.

I duck inside my office and shut the door. I walk over to my desk and sit down before I stare at the wall, my mind spinning in a million different directions. I could do this, I definitely could, but it would be a huge risk and if I got caught, it would mean the end of my career. Hell, it might mean criminal charges.

But Erik deserves it. Whenever I think about backing down, even for a second, I remember the look on Chloe’s face that first night when he hurt her. I think about the satisfying way his nose cracked against my fist. I think about how much worse he deserves for all the shit he’s pulled since.

I pull out my phone, but instead of texting Chloe, I text Frank.Me: Hey, you got a second before practice?

Frank: Sure, man, I’ve got no life.

Me: Perfect. Come to my office when you get a second.

Frank: See you soon.I kick my feet up and lean back, frowning at my shoelaces. I’ve come up with some crazy, out-there ideas, but this is by far the riskiest thing I’ve ever seriously considered. Asking Frank about this is going to be the first step, and it might be the last, depending on how he reacts. But I’m not sure who else to go to. I could ask Chloe, she might know some undergrad that can get me what I need, but I don’t want to entangle her just yet, not if this isn’t going to be real

First, I want to make sure this plan’s going to come together. Then I’ll let her join in, because I bet she’s going to want to.

Frank shows up not long later. He comes in wearing his usual coaching outfit, the gray slacks and team polo. He grins and moves some folders from the chair in front of my desk before sitting. “Man, I always forget how small your office is.”

“I’m pretty sure it was a supply closet before they hired me.”

“Probably. At least you got a desk, though.”

I pat my desk lovingly. “She barely fits in here, but she treats me well.”

Franks laughs. “So what’s up, what’d you want to talk about?”

“I’ve got a weird request.” I frown a little. “What do you know about drugs?”

“Uh,” he says and laughs. “I know a thing or two. Not a whole lot, but you know. Is this about the drug test? Because, man, I’m clean, you don’t have to worry about that.”

“No, it’s not that,” I say quickly. “I mean, sort of. Listen, this is kind of a weird question, but… I was wondering if you could get me something.”

Frank looks surprised then smiles a little, head tilted. “You don’t strike me as the kind of guy to get down with all that.”

“I’m not normally,” I admit. “But I’ve been thinking about trying a new experience. Really, been thinking about it for a long time, and I’m hoping it might help with my coaching.”

“All right then,” Frank says and laughs. “That’s just about the weirdest reason I’ve ever heard, but all right. So what do you want to try?”

“Acid.”

He laughs, this time harder. He bends over and shakes his head before leaning back and putting his hands up. “You want to drop acid, man?”