Free A Different Christmas (University Park #5) by CM Doporto Page B

coverage. He is not a shutdown player. His poor coverage leaves the middle of the field wide open,” I commented, hoping I was on the same track they were.
     
    “Bingo! You picked up on it, too.” Coach Rush had a big smile on his face.
    “We checked video from the past two games and sure enough, same thing. Knowing this,” Coach Randy’s strong Cajun accent filtered through, “will give us an advantage.”
    “Exactly. We can go after him when he bumps out and lines up on our running backs. Maybe we can run three more wide receiver sets or have Jes one on one with this guy. What do you think?”
    “I think you’re right, Raven.” Coach Randy nodded. “So, here’s what I think we should do.” He swiped his tablet and drew a play scheme on the screen. We talked through the plan, considering a few options that would take our opponent by surprise. It was freaking great to be included with strategy discussions. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed it. It took me back to my PHU days, placing me right where I loved to be. Forty minutes later, my phone sounded, pulling me out of my zone.
    “Oh, shit.” I pulled my phone from the pocket of my athletic pants. “It’s Lexi.”
    Lexi: Where are you? We need to leave now.
    “Is everything okay?” Coach Rush asked, peering at my phone.
    I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. “She has a doctor’s appointment in twenty minutes and I’m supposed to pick her up.” I glanced at him.
    “I guess you’d better go.” His chair squeaked as he reclined. “Don’t want to keep her waiting. You know what I say, happy wife, happy life .” He chuckled and smiled.
    “That’s right,” Coach Randy agreed.
    “True.” I wanted to point out he’d failed somewhere — not once, but twice — but it wasn’t my place to do that. I had my own problems to worry about. The obvious one being: make Lexi my wife. “I’m sorry.” I stood up, feeling the guilt pull me down. “I can come back after the appointment.”
    Why did it seem like I was abandoning my football obligations, and, at the same time, failing to be there for Lexi? She needed me and I wanted to go with her and talk to the doctor. My career and Lexi were equally important to me, but I felt like I had to choose between the two.
    Coach Rush shook his head. “No, it’s your day off. Take Lexi to the doctor and spend some time with her. You’ll be out of town this weekend, so give her what she needs.”
    “I know, and I hope she doesn’t go into labor while I’m away.”
    “Is it almost time?” Coach Randy gave me a double take.
    “Yes. She only has three weeks left and I don’t know if she’ll make it to forty weeks.”
    Both coaches cringed. “Too bad you guys didn’t plan this during the off season.”
    I shrugged. “It wasn’t planned at all. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have suggested it.”
    “I know how that goes.” Coach Randy slapped the desk. “Not one of my four kids was planned.”
    “Only one of mine was.” Coach Rush inclined his head. “Then again, I think my ex-wife had it all planned out, if you know what I mean.”
    I nodded, not knowing what to say.
    “You’ve got a lot going on and you’re doing great. We’re really proud of you, Raven. Not only are you showing dedication, you’re delivering the type of results we want to see. Keep up the good work.” He shot me a thumbs-up.
    “I will.” I walked toward the door. “Thank you both.”
    “See you tomorrow.” Coach Randy waved bye.
    “Bright and early,” I added.
    As I ran to my locker, I sent Lexi a text.
    Me: Leaving to pick you up.
    Not having time for a shower, I opened my locker and grabbed my bag. My phone chimed again.
    Lexi: Just meet me there.
    I cringed when I saw the text. She was pissed again. “Shit.” I slammed my locker door and sprinted to the parking lot. This freakin’ sucked. Being on top of the world wasn’t as easy as it seemed. I never had trouble managing stress in the past, but I’d