Class Act: A Coach/Student Romance

“ARE YOU GOING TO do it?” Mandy asked after we’d ordered two big buckets of popcorn and blue raspberry slushies—the only kind worth drinking.

“I’m thinking about it.” I’d told her that Lynn’s girlfriend had suggested I could be a model. “It’s not what I really want to do, but it’s easy money, right? It could go a long way in helping to pay for college. I get sick at the thought of Abe doing it all alone, but he insists I go.”

“You’re such a dork.” She bumped me with her hip. “If he wants to do nice things for you, let him. You already know that’s the man my father is. He’s going to want to do right by you.”

“He already has you to put through college.”

“My college fund is already secure, so you shouldn’t worry about that. But I think you should do the modeling thing because it’s cool. At least do it a few times and see how you feel about it.”

“Your father says he’s okay with it.”

“As he should be. It’s your life. Just because you’re having sex doesn’t mean he gets to control what you do.”

The poor woman at the concession looked scandalized as she handed over our popcorn and the cups for us to fill up at the slushie machine. Mandy and I giggled.

“Did you see her face?” Mandy asked.

“It’s your fault. We shouldn’t talk so freely about this in public.”

“Screw people and being judgmental.”

I didn’t bother to point out she’d been pretty opinionated about Abe and me being together too. When Mandy called to ask if I wanted to go to the movies with her and a couple of cheerleaders, I hadn’t been sure, but Abe had urged me to go. Said he worried about me being home with him all the time and didn’t want me to feel like he wanted to clip my wings.

He was the sweetest man ever, even though he didn’t get that I preferred to spend quiet evenings alone with him.

I was looking forward to it, though. It’d been a while since I’d gone, and even an afternoon movie sounded good. It would be less crowded than in the evening for sure.

Kendra and Tatiana were already inside. They’d brought two guys from school with them, so we ended up being a party of six, watching a movie they should have stopped making after part three. Now they were on part nine with rumors that there would even be a part ten.

The theater was jam-packed, and we were lucky to find seats together. I wasn’t too keen on the two guys who joined us. Ever since the incident with Priest and everything the senior class had to say about me, I’d been wary. But they didn’t say anything when I sat next to Mandy.

During intermission, all three of us guys went to get more snacks and a refill of slushies.

“Hey, Emery, right?” Bryson, Tatiana’s boyfriend, said.

“Yeah.” I stiffened, waiting for some offensive comment. I wasn’t wearing feminine clothes today, but I had on eyeliner and a dash of eyeshadow.

“Are those any good?” He nodded at the candy I’d just bought. “I always meant to try them but never did.”

That was it?

“You can try it.”

I poured some of the colorful sweets into his palm, and he chewed on them. “Not bad.” He grinned. “Thanks. Think I’m going to get some.”

Relaxed, I waited for them, then we returned to the theater.

“You okay?” Mandy whispered. “I didn’t know they’d take those guys with them.”

“It’s fine. They were actually nice.”

“Yeah?”

“Hmm.” I handed her a couple of snacks.

“You shouldn’t have. You’re spending all your money on candy.”

I grinned. “Your Daddy gave me money to buy candy. Don’t worry. I’ll be grateful enough for both of us later.”

“Eew.” Mandy shoved at my shoulder, and I laughed. Several people shushed us as the movie came back on.

The movie turned out to be better than I’d expected. Or maybe it was the company that enhanced the experience, but when we walked out of the movie theater, I felt light and happy.

“We should do this again sometime,” Kendra said. “But maybe a late-night movie. Might be even more fun.”

“Or we can continue the fun later tonight,” Tatiana said. “My parents are away for the weekend. We can get our hands on booze and invite a few people over.”

“Hold on. I have a few missed calls from my mom. She never calls unless it’s something important.” Mandy walked off to the side to call back her mother.

“I’m not sure I can go out tonight, but I’ll see,” I hedged. If booze was involved, it wouldn’t be long before things got out of control. I had better things to do than get drunk. Abe would only worry.

“Come on, Emery,” Tatiana said. “It’ll be fun.”

“Emery!”

Mandy’s face was pale, and she stared at her phone as if she didn’t know what to do with it.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I rushed over to her.

“We need to go to the hospital.”

“Okay. I’ll take you. Who’s hurt? Is it your mom? How serious is it?”

“It’s Dad.”

All the air left my lungs as if a boulder had been dropped on my chest. “Abe?”

“He got hit by a car.”

“Coach is hurt?” Bryson asked.

Oh my god, Abe was in the hospital. Abe was hurt. Mandy was freaking out, and I couldn’t do the same. I had to keep it together and get us to the hospital in one piece.

“I’m so sorry, Mandy,” Kendra said. “What can we do? Should we take you to the hospital?”

“Thanks, but I’ll take her.” I took Mandy’s arm.

“Keep us posted,” Bryson said. “Oh man, the team’s going to be crushed.”

I guided Mandy to my car and helped her in. “Are you sure you can drive?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ll be fine. Maybe it’s not bad. Maybe he’s okay.”

How could he not be okay?

On the way to the hospital, Mandy kept holding my hand, and I didn’t dare tell her to let go, afraid she might lose it altogether. As soon as I had parked, she was out of the car and sprinting inside. I raced after her. She took my hand again in the elevator to the fourth floor.

Teresa was the only one sitting in the blue-and-white waiting area. Abstract painting and potted plants didn’t come close to making the sterile-looking place any warmer. The nurse at the desk gave us a cursory glance, then returned her attention to her computer.

“Mom!” Mandy rushed over to her mother. They embraced, Mandy crying softly. I’d never felt more alone in that moment. All I wanted was Abe.

Despite everything between us, I swallowed any grudge I still held against her for having me fired, and approached them.

“How is he?” I asked.

Mandy pulled back. “Yes, Mom. Is he going to be okay? What happened?”

Teresa shot me an icy stare. “You should leave.”

I sucked in a deep breath. “I have every right to be here. We live together.” I had more right to be here than she did, but I didn’t dare to say it to her face. “I want to see him.”

“Well, you can’t, so you might as well go home. His family is here to take care of him.”

“You can’t stop me from seeing him.”

Sorry, Mandy. I don’t want you to see us fight like this, but Abe’s hurt, and I need to be with him. I need to know he’s okay.

“Can’t I?” Teresa asked. “Because the last I checked, our divorce isn’t final. I still have every say about what happens to him, and I’ll be damned if you get anywhere near him. I’ve already explained to the staff that Abe should be in a private room as soon as he comes out of surgery. No one but Mandy and I are allowed to see him.”

The vindictive bitch.

“Why are you doing this? You know it’s wrong. Abe would want me to be here.”

“Mom.” Mandy sniffled. “Don’t treat him that way. He loves—”

“This has nothing to do with you, Mandy. Stay out of it.”

“I can’t. He has every right to see Dad. Maybe more than you do.”

Teresa glared at Mandy. “How dare you!”

“Mandy, it’s okay.” I shook my head when she opened her mouth to argue. If Teresa kept up her nonsense, Mandy would be my only link to finding out what was wrong with Abe. If she angered her mother, she might not allow Mandy to see Abe either. Could she do that? Mandy was his daughter. But I’d rather not chance it.

“Will you at least tell me what happened?” I asked. “Please.”

“Mom, please,” Mandy begged.

“He was crossing the street. A car struck him. He has a broken leg and arm, but the worst is that there’s internal bleeding and potential damage to his organs. They’re operating on him right now.”

“Oh god.” I stumbled back into a chair and sat with my head in my hands. Would he be okay? The question was on the tip of my tongue, but I didn’t ask, too scared I wouldn’t get the answer I wanted. I clamped my eyes shut, and scalding tears rolled down my cheeks.

Oh Abe. Please, please be okay.

“Emery.” Mandy sat beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

“He has to be okay, Mandy.” I clung to her and let the tears fall silently. “He has to be.”

How could he be in surgery? He’d been so happy I was out of the house and hanging out with Mandy and friends. Before I left, I’d hugged him, teasing him that I wouldn’t go. That I’d rather stay home and be bored with him. Me clinging to him like a monkey hadn’t stopped him from walking me to my car. He had told me he’d have a surprise for me when I came home.

“I should have stayed with him,” I sobbed. “If I’d stayed, he wouldn’t have gone out. He would be home safe.”

“You don’t know that. None of us could have known this would happen.”

We sat together, worried sick about Abe. Teresa had taken a seat a few feet away from us. Mandy alternatively comforted me and talked to her mother, who glowered at me every time I sneaked a glance at her. She really hated my guts. Hated that I was here waiting for information about Abe.

In the restaurant, I’d backed down, allowed her to take her shots and torment me because I felt guilty for what I did with Abe. But this, this was going too far. I loved Abe, and she was deliberately trying to push me out when she damn well knew Abe would want me here. That when Abe woke up, he would ask for me, not her.

Please wake up.

If he were awake, then he would overrule Teresa.

A doctor walked toward us and asked for Mrs. Cooper. That made the tears come even faster. They denied me information about Abe. How cruel could they be?

Teresa and Mandy followed the man. I covered my mouth to stifle my sob. They couldn’t do this to me.

Another half an hour passed before Teresa returned, her eyes red. I jumped up and rushed to her.

“Please, please tell me he’s okay.”

“I’d suggest you go home. You won’t be able to see him without my permission.”

She walked past me, and I stood there frozen. A hand touched my shoulder.

“Emery.”

“Mandy?” I swiveled around and grabbed her hand. “How is he? Is he okay?”

She shook her head and wrapped her arms around me. “I’m so scared, Em. They put him in a coma and will keep him like that for a few days until the swelling of his brain has gone down. He’s all bandaged up. There are tubes everywhere. He’s really hurt, Emery.”

My legs buckled. Thank god for Mandy holding me tight. Otherwise, I would’ve surely fallen. “Please get her to change her mind, Mandy. I need to see him.”

They said people in comas could still hear, right? I needed to talk to him. To tell him how much I needed him. How much I loved him. That I was too young to lose the love of my life. We had so many things to explore. We had a life to build together, a family to expand.

“You should go home for now,” Mandy said. “Mom’s upset and not thinking straight. Tomorrow, after she’s settled down, I’m sure she’ll let you see him. I won’t stop asking her until she changes her mind.”

I shook my head and took a seat. “I’m not going anywhere until I see Abe.”

“Emery, I know how you feel, but you can’t stay here all night. They won’t let you see him without Mom’s permission.”

“You don’t get it, Mandy. I can’t leave him. Please don’t ask me to. I’m staying here until she allows me to see him.”