Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“What you’ve done for the team has been amazing,” Raymond stated. “But with an actual Major League Baseball player as head coach, we’re certain we can get these players where they need to be. Maybe even make it to the playoffs. And who knows? These boys could end up getting college offers with the right team leadership beneath them.”
With the right team leadership.
Which meant I was the wrong team leadership.
They didn’t even give me a chance.
That cut deep, but I stood firm.
I couldn’t let him know that he hurt my feelings.
I couldn’t let anyone ever know they hurt my feelings.
The school bell rang for second period to begin, and I felt sick, knowing I had a class to get to.
“This is crap, and you know it, Ray,” I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. “There should’ve been a conversation.”
“Well, let’s consider this the conversation and move forward from here on out. Or you do have the option to step down from the team. There’s no pressure to stay, Avery. You are more than able to let it all go. Then maybe you can focus your energy on something else. Something that makes you happy. I mean, truthfully, do you even like coaching these boys? Because I can’t tell.”
That felt like the biggest slap to my soul.
I loved coaching those kids.
They were the highlight of my year. The highlight of my life. I loved the game more than most people. More than Nathan Pierce. Sure, he got to the big leagues, but that didn’t mean the game belonged to him. A million people would never get the chance Nathan had presented to him. That didn’t mean they were any less deserving or passionate.
“I love my job,” I said, my voice cracking as my emotions began to build within me. I felt like I was on the chopping block, and being told that I didn’t care about something I deeply cared for didn’t make me feel good at all. It felt hurtful at the least, infuriating at the most.
“Then show it. Show that even with a slight demotion, you will still show up for the students the way they need you to. For now, perhaps you should get to your other students waiting for you to teach them today.”
He broke his stare from me and looked back down at his paperwork, a clear sign that the conversation was sealed closed, and nothing I would say could change his mind.
I was officially demoted from my head coach position, only to have my ex-boyfriend take on the role.
I wanted to throw up.
I headed out of the office, and the moment I stepped into the empty hallways, my eyes landed on Nathan, who stood by a locker. When he looked up, he gave me a pathetic frown, which only made me want to slam my fist into his face.
He stepped toward me. “Avery, I didn’t know—”
“Do you get off on this?” I whisper-shouted, moving in toward him. “Do you get off on coming back and taking the one thing away that meant everything to me?”
“Avery—”
“Whatever it is you’re about to say, I don’t care to hear it. I’m already struggling enough,” I snapped. I hated that those words slipped out, because the last thing I wanted was for Nathan to know he was getting under my skin. But he had been. Every piece of me felt enraged from him stepping into my realm and taking control of the things I’d loved most.
I’d struggled with my mental health throughout the whole year. That was no secret to me. Depression was an unwanted visitor who knocked at my door throughout the seasons, and at times, it would swallow me whole. Yet baseball season was the one thing I had to look forward to. It was my safe place in a world that sometimes felt so heavy. It was my return to self after months of living in shadows. He was taking that from me. He was taking away the small breaths of relief I found throughout the year.
He rubbed his hand over his head. “If you let me explain—”
“Go to hell, Nathaniel,” I spat. “Or at least do me the smallest favor and stay out of my way.”
As I stormed off to get to class, he said, “We’ll talk after the weekend!”
“I hate him!” I exclaimed as I marched into The Pup Around the Corner, Yara’s dog spa. She was at the register checking a customer out, when I barged in and interrupted the interaction. “I hate, hate, hate him!”
Yara raised an eyebrow toward me and then looked at the customer. “Thanks again, Sally. We’ll see you in a few weeks for Eddie’s trim.”
Sally glanced at me and shook her head in disapproval. “That loud shouting isn’t very ladylike, Avery Kingsley.”
“Yeah, well, I never claimed to be ladylike. Bye, Sally.”