Black Leather Jackets: College Bound

Bet on Yourself

Toni's POV.
"Babe it's just lunch, you don't need your crutches,"
"C I'm scared," I say
"Tones I know, but you'll have to do it eventually and the sooner the better," she says
"I guess,"
I literally got the prosthetic half an hour ago and I don't want to use it and break it or something.
"You'll be fine,"
I nod and get out, she gets Alex and we go inside.
"You're doing good babe," she says as we make it to the door
"It feels very very weird," I sigh
"You're doing good," she says
We go inside and Reilly and Liv are already there.
"Topaz, even hobblin' like that you might be faster than Mantle," RJ says
"Maybe once I get the hang of it," I laugh hugging him
"Well they did always call you the girl of steel," Liv says giving me a hug
I laugh and her and Cher talk for a bit.
"How was Manhattan," I ask
"Not as exciting as I thought it would be," he says "but I'm glad to settle down in Riverdale,"
"How many months along?" I ask nodding towards Liv
"Almost 7," he says
"Final stretch,"
"I'm nervous,"
"You'll be fine," I sigh "plus you can do what I did and just watch your wife do the work and just mimic that,"
He laughs and we drink some milkshakes.
"Baby can you take Lexi? I need to go to the bathroom,"
"Of course," I say as she hands me our little girl
"3 months now?" He asks
"Yep," I say bouncing her
She starts crying and I try and calm her down.
"She doesn't like you too much," rj teases
"It's probably your ugly ass face,"
"Does Cheryl let you swear around her?" Liv asks
"Not at all, please don't tell her," I say to Liv
"Don't tell me what?" Cher asks taking Lex from me
"Nothing,"
"Did you swear again?"
"Noooo, me swear?" I ask
"You're ridiculous Topaz," she laughs "Why is this little one crying?"
"Same reason as always, you weren't here," I say noticing she cheered up right away
She kisses Alex's cheek and goes back to her conversation with Liv.
"Topaz, stumpy got 'er bionical?" Reggie says
"Ya man, it's sick,"
"You hate it," Cheryl says
"I do hate it, but I'm getting used to it,"
Reggie takes Lex from Cher and carries her while making airplane noises.
"Is uncle reggie Funny?" Cher asks as he gives her back
She giggles and touches Cher's face
"Lexi not my face," she groans
We finish lunch and coach walks in.
"Topaz we need to chat," he says
"I'll be back babes," I say walking out with him
"What's wrong coach?" I ask sitting next to him on the bench
"Next season will be my my last with Riverdale High," he says "my contracts up and it's time to retire,"
"Holy shit coach, seriously?" I ask
"Ya I wanna travel and it's my time," he says "but the school asked me a while ago to set my replacement- and I picked you,"
"Wow, uh I'm honoured," I say "but coach I can't run anymore, I won't be able to kick or demonstrate,"
"Toni you're an all American, Ivy League alumni," he says "start betting on yourself,"
I nod and shake his hand.
"I wanna get you out to meet the guys, to see how we've changed," he says "tomorrow, 3 o'clock,"
"Do I get to pull my own bench?" I ask
"Both assistant Craig and dan are retiring so yeah- start thinking about what you'll need," he says
"Awesome I'll see you tomorrow,"
"You got it Topaz,"
I have a hair appointment to cut my hair back to what it was during our wedding and recolour so Cher drives me there and decides to go nap so leaves Lex with me.
She sits on my lap quietly until Cher picks us up.
"How is my little girl,"
"She's very sleepy,"
"And how's my hot wife?"
"Very excited,"
"What did coach tell you to get you so smiley?"
"Well he offered me head coach of the Bulldogs for next season- he's retiring,"
"That's amazing baby, I'm so proud of you," she says kissing me
...
"Boys listen up!" I hear coach yell from the other room "this won't affect any of you seniors for the most part anyways. But I'm retiring next year,"
Varied boos and complaints arise.
"No settle down," he laughs "I was asked to not only pick, but also show my replacement the ropes and show them the program,"
I walk out and they all go quiet.
"Who can tell me who she is?" Coach asks
"Toni Topaz," a small boy says
"That's her name, yes. But she's a bulldog legend. She saved the program. Now she's going to lead it," he says "Topaz, you wanna take over?"
"Ya sure," I sigh "or boys you take over. You ask the questions, I'll give you answers,"
"What if you don't have em?" A cocky boy asks
"I was a female, bisexual, athlete who was kidnapped after her first national championship, then shot, in my first year. I faced more media then you can imagine- I have your answers kid,"
"Okay, what did you do after Riverdale?" Someone asks
"After graduation I moved to Sam Fran with my fiancé, my brother's, and my best friend and played football for Stanford University on a complete scholarship and ent all american 4 years straight," I say
"After that?"
"Travelled a lot, then came back and settled down in Riverdale," I say "joined the military and was in Afghanistan for 11 months, while my wife had a baby over here,"
A few generic questions about football and stuff.
"Last question boys we need to get to practice," coach says
"Will you bring us to Globals? Can you get us there?" A sophomore asks
"That's the goal. I'm going to give you all the tools you need. Best coaching staff in the game- what you do with that is up to you,"
I watch his practice and walk around the old facilities.
"Topaz I know half the state wants you as coach but you ready to sign?" He asks handing me a contract
"Coach I've been ready to sign since graduation day," I say signing the contract
"Welcome back to the team Topaz,"
"Thanks coach,"
"Who were you thinking of for coaching staff?" He asks
"Well I wanted Reg for my assistant. RJ Morgan for head of the defence. Haven't figured much out after that yet," I say
"I'd say that coaching staff is already a hell of a start," he says
I shake his hand
I can't wit to get started