LESSONS FROM A ONE-NIGHT STAND (The Baileys #1)

Chapter 3

Three

Austin

“Coach!”

Elijah joins me as I walk to the front office to make sure everything really is water under the bridge with Holly. I want a job coaching at the college level next year, and I know any potential employer will be calling her for a reference. As of right now, I think she’s cast me as the school clown who takes nothing seriously. She has good reason to feel that way, what with the student population probably taking bets on whether she’ll streak during the next football game.

“Not now, Elijah, we can talk at practice.”

“JP asked Becca out!”

A few heads turn our way.

“So beat the s**t out of him.” It’s out of my mouth before I can stop myself.

Elijah stops for a second but quickly catches up to me. “Seriously?”

“No. Don’t do that.”

Although I would’ve. It’s clear JP set up Elijah. What a dickwad of a friend. But I’m their mentor and already in deep s**t with the principal. This morning, she was nothing like the smiling, satisfied woman in the back of my Jeep on Saturday night.

“I’m so mad at him. I want to punch him in that big bird nose of his.”

I tug on Elijah’s shirt until we’re out of the clogged artery of the main hallway. “Beat him at his own game. You know Becca. You know what she likes and what she doesn’t. Not to mention you have one advantage that JP doesn’t—Becca loves you.” I point at his chest.

Becca walks by a few seconds later, staring at Elijah until he looks at her. Then she scowls, acting as if she hates him.

“Go.” I nudge him, and he bumps into Becca, her book almost spilling to the floor, but Elijah catches it and mumbles something.

Becca takes the book out of his hands, murmurs something to herself, and turns the other way, whipping him in the head with her long ponytail.

So maybe she needs some time.

I feel super shitty for leaving Elijah in the hall, looking like a lost puppy, but I have more pressing matters to deal with and that’s making sure that Principal Radcliffe and I really are on good terms.

The hallway is clearing out as I walk into the school office. Fay’s smiling face is a nice surprise. She’s a happy woman generally speaking, but when Principal Miller was here, she often looked on the verge of tears. Principal Miller just wasn’t a people person. God help her child. Oh, stop judging me, you don’t even know her.

“Hey, Fay,” I say as I approach the desk.

“Hi, Austin. Not yet, honey. She’s on the phone.”

I lean against the counter and snatch a butterscotch candy from the bowl. Fay always has the best treats.

“What’s new?” I ask, picking up a pen that’s sitting there and tapping it end to end on the counter.

“Gary is working on the float for the Bailey Timber Founder’s Day Parade.” Her smile reaches from ear to ear, and I know she’s remembering some of the Founder’s Day moments she shared with my parents.

“That’s great. Savannah is coming by tonight to talk logistics. Anything you think we can improve on from last year?” I suck on my candy.

“Knowing Savannah, it’s all in place. I think it’s great that after what happened with your parents, you guys managed to keep it all intact.” Tears well in her eyes. Every year we have this same conversation.

“Yeah.”

“You and Savannah have sacrificed so much.” Her hand covers mine. “Your parents would be proud.” She squeezes my hand.

I place my other hand on top of hers. “That means a lot. Thanks, Fay.”

“Did I ever tell you about the time your mother and I went on a double date?”

I could finish the story for her, but she likes to tell it, so I settle in for another rendition of Fay and Beth’s wild teenage double date. It’s when my mom met my dad.

“Coach Bailey.” Holly stands in her open office door. Her jacket is off, leaving her in a sleeveless, cream-colored satin blouse that shows off her muscular arms. I knew she was strong, the way she suspended herself over me, using my roll bar like a pull-up bar while she was riding me.

What? I’m a guy. If I notice something physical about her, it’s going to lead to thoughts of s*x and since I know what that’s like with her—phenomenal, if I were to pick one word—of course it’s going to lead to thoughts of actual s*x with her. It doesn’t make me a pig.

“Another time, Fay.” I tap the pen on the counter and leave it there.

She smiles at me like she did when I was fifteen. “Definitely.”

I walk into Holly’s office, shutting the door because no one needs to overhear the discussion we’re about to have.

“Have a seat,” she says, sitting down behind her desk, looking all prim and proper with her back straight.

Everything on her desk is neat as a pin. I get the feeling she probably has a vision in her mind of little cut-out lines where each item should be placed.

“Thanks.” I sit down on the other side of her desk, feeling as though I showed up to a wedding in a sweat suit. Her pantsuit costs a lot of money, I’d bet, and here I am slumming it in jeans and a button-down. But more than that, it’s the energy she’s giving off. It’s cool and professional and not at all like the woman I met at Lucky’s on Saturday night.

The sun pops out from behind a cloud and shines through her window, across her blouse, and I get a perfect vision of her bra. Lacy, like the one I took off her that night. One of those ones without a clasp. Not as easily accessible, but sexy as hell.

Shit. Must refrain from thinking of Holly naked. I change positions—jeans aren’t exactly the easiest to hide a hard-on in.

“What can I do for you, Austin?” She clasps her hands on her desk and leans forward.

I’m pretty sure she has no idea that her arms push her t**s together when she does that, but I’m a good boy and resist the urge to keep glancing at her cleavage.

I’m in over my head right now.

I clear my throat. “I wanted to apologize.”

“You already did that.” Her face is as void of emotion as an A-list actress who’s had too much Botox.

“Yeah, I know, but I can’t help but think you thought I was full of s**t. I think you’ve pegged me wrong.”

“Why do you say that?” She tilts her head ever so slightly.

“I think that you have the impression that I don’t take this job seriously, and that can’t be further from the truth. I’ve been here for almost nine years. I’ve developed the baseball team to the point where some of these boys might get drafted to some big-name schools. I care about the students—”

She holds her hand up for me to stop. That same hand that was holding my d**k on Saturday night. Let’s just say I don’t forget these details. “I know about Elijah Crupe and his potential offers. Whatever your worries are about me, don’t worry. I’m a mature adult. You misstepped.”

“I had a little fun. If I’d known you were the same woman from Saturday night, I’d have included all the other great qualities I know you possess.”

Her eyes flare open and her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t look impressed.

You’re here to apologize, not flirt with her, i***t.

“Thank you, but I think it’s safe to say we’re done with the extracurricular activities now.” She leans back in her chair.

“You should’ve stuck with Scrabble, and what was your other hobby? Refinishing furniture? Is that like antiquing?”

She stares at me blankly.

I’ve offended her. I’m hanging around Phoenix and Sedona too much.

“Let me take a stab at your hobbies, if I may?” She doesn’t wait for my permission. “You’re probably an outdoorsy kind of guy. One who’s out all day doing dangerous or risky things with the excuse of having ‘guy time.’ You come home late at night, fall onto the couch, and watch some sporting event?”

I smirk. She’s good.

“Figures. Guys like you are all the same. So, mock my hobbies if you will, but they are mine, and I’m not going to let you make me feel as if I’m some boring person.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“If you’re done insulting me for the day, please let me get back to work.”

“Holly.” I stand, my fingers on the edge of her desk. God, I’m such a f**k-up right now. I’m never not in control or one step ahead of someone when we’re verbally sparring.

She looks up at me, and if her gorgeous green eyes could give me the middle finger, they would.

Time to cut to the chase.

“Listen, I’m applying for some college-level coaching jobs and they’re gonna call here for references and I—”

“There you go thinking I’m going to sabotage your career because you embarrassed me after we slept together. I’ve looked into your classes and your coaching. All of your players are holding their GPAs where they need to, and your seniors are progressing nicely toward graduation. I’ll only speak on those items should someone call, but please don’t put me down as a character reference.” She raises her eyebrows, dismissing me.

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

“Goodbye, Austin.”

I open the door and walk out of her office, still feeling like s**t.

Why is that?

“Everything okay?” Fay asks as I mindlessly walk out of the half door near her desk.

I force a smile. “Perfect.”

I wink, which brightens her smile. No need for Fay to worry about the Baileys any more than she already does.

Finally, my s**t Monday ends and I get to spend the rest of my afternoon on the baseball diamond—freezing my ass off, but I’m outside and teaching the best game there is.

My buddy Jack strolls up and stands beside me. “Rumors are spreading.”

I laugh at his parka, hat, and gloves. “You grew up here, right?”

“Funny, asshole. I just got back from Cancun, give me a f*****g break. I have to reacclimatize.”

“How is wedded bliss?” I ask, watching as the boys warm up by tossing the ball to one another.

“Nah, we’re not talking about me. You need to start talking.” He rubs his gloved hands together.

“Take off those ridiculous gloves and help with the drills.”

“Fine. I tried the nice way.” Jack takes off his gloves, grabs his baseball mitt, and steps over to where the boys are. “Tell me, boys, did Coach Bailey embarrass himself this morning?”

The group of boys laugh.

“You should have seen his face,” Elijah says.

“He’s gonna be dragged around by a collar,” JP adds. “She is one hot piece of ass though.”

“Lap!” I point.

JP drops his mitt and runs to the light pole and back.

Jack glances over his shoulder, silently asking me if they’re telling the truth. I shrug. He laughs and turns around.

“I heard he was practically drooling all over the stage,” Jack eggs them on.

Seriously, how fast does word spread in this town? Jack doesn’t even work at the school. He helps me out with the team because he shares the same love of the game as I do.

“He stared at her ass the entire time she was speaking,” JP says.

The little bastard is back from his lap and I’d make him go again if he was lying. He’s not. But damn, I didn’t think I was that obvious.

“Then I heard he went and saw her during fourth period,” another player says.

“Really? This is all so intriguing. I think I need to visit the principal’s office.” Jack throws the ball to JP to start the drill, then he steps back over to me and lowers his voice. “So?”

I glance around to make sure no one is coming up from behind. “So, she’s my Saturday one-night stand.”

Jack bends over in a fit of laughter. “You’re shittin’ me?”

“Nope.” I shake my head.

“Classic. Can’t wait to meet the lucky lady.”

“f**k you.”

He clasps me on the shoulder. “Is it bad I kinda hope you fall madly in love with her?”

I quirk an eyebrow.

“Then maybe you’ll stick around.” He shrugs. Other than crying like a baby when Francie walked down the aisle two weeks ago, he’s a typical “show no emotion” Alaskan guy, so I’m surprised he’s bringing this up.

“Play your cards right and maybe they’ll let you be head coach next year. Maybe they’ll even pay you.” I laugh.

He smiles. “I’d rather have you here than be the head coach of a bunch of misbehaved high school guys who can’t control their hormones.”

“It’s not like I won’t be back.”

Jack doesn’t say anything, just steps back up to the field. “JP stop egging Elijah. Go run two laps!”

I get what Jack’s saying. I’ll miss him too. I’ll miss everything in Lake Starlight, but my life has been on hold for practically a decade. It’s time to live for myself now, and I can’t miss the opportunity.