The Coach's Daughter

Chapter 16

I try my best not to make any slurping sounds as we eat at the table. My arms are itching to tidy up the kitchen. If my mom saw this, she would have a heart attack and I would be left to clean by myself for days. The level of tidiness she expects is extreme in my opinion, but it's what I'm used to.

"You made this?" Zack asks, as if making sure. I nod. He stares down in awe as if it's some five-star meal and not a basic soup. "It's really good," he compliments sincerely and a little smile escapes me.

"I'm glad you like it," I reply almost sheepishly.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with that," Zack apologizes, which catches me by surprise. "He must be really fucked up to be drinking like that."

"It's okay." I stir my soup a little with my spoon. "He misses her."

He nods slowly and exhales. "He doesn't even know life without her. This is why he shouldn't have gotten so damn attached..." He pauses.

"He loves her," I say.

"He does," Zack agrees quietly. "That's why he's in so much damn pain now." He presses his lips together. "If you don't care, you don't get hurt," he adds gruffly and straightens up to resume eating.

I don't know if it's my sleepiness or what but my voice turns wistful. "I think it's worth it," I say. "Feeling pain if you get to feel love. Feeling like no one cares is..." My voice trails off and I shake my head.

The crickets outside chirp as silence sits between us.

"I know," he says quietly. Our eyes meet and an unspoken empathy flickers between us.

"You really care about him," I say faintly.

He blinks slowly, sizing me up as if deciding whether or not to trust me. It takes a while.

"He's my best friend," is all the explanation he needs. In just those words, I can feel the bond between them. Zack looks down at his bowl. "Even if he is a dumbass," he adds with a quirk of a smile.

I laugh as he finishes his bowl. "Thanks for the food," he says. "It's, uh... been a while since I had food made at home."

"What about your parents?" I ask without thinking. The second the words are out, I want to take them back. "Sorry, I didn't-"

"It's fine," he insists but I notice his jaw tighten. "It's just my mom. She's at her boyfriend's place with my brother."

"You have a brother?" I question, surprised.

Zack gifts me a small grin. "He's in fifth grade."

Wow. I didn't exactly pin Zack as the big brother type.

"I have a brother, too," I say, thinking of my oh so very treasured brother.

"I know," Zack says. I tilt my head in confusion. "Daniel Hayes #35."

"Right. Football." What doesn't revolve around football?

"I saw the protein powder in your car," he says. "You got the wrong one."

My face falls. "Seriously? Why are there so many kinds?"

He leans back in amusement. "All you had to do was not get the vegan kind. Aren't you supposed to be some kind of nerd?"

"I can't be that smart if I'm here with you," I say.

"You know you like me," he drawls.

I roll my eyes. "Keep dreaming," I tell him.

"I will."

We lock eyes and an indescribable energy translates between us. I can practically feel it. His gaze on me burns but like a small flame slowly growing into a fire, and I don't dare tear my eyes away. For the first time, whatever connection I'm feeling, I think he's feeling too.