My Coach's Daughter

Chapter 4: Parker

What was I thinking for standing up for Winnie Marshall? Everyone in the room looked at me like I lost my damn mind, and maybe I did. I've never felt the need to protect her. Moving in with her is screwing up everything. Why couldn't her dad just let her live with Ally? At least that way, I could get away from this damn attraction that I'm feeling towards her. She was off limits. She always has been. She is my best friends sister. I never once thought about crossing that boundry until now.

I mean, this girl came out in kitten pajama shorts and apparently owns hotdog ones since that is what Ally came out in. She just clearly doesn't give a s**t. Who was this girl? The girl I knew and saw dressed modeslty and was always in to many damn layers. These pajamas look worn and older. She clearly had these for a while. She just never gave me an indication that she would be a girl who would own things like this. I'm starting to wonder if the only person who truly knows the real Winnie is Ally.

Wes and Lynda went to bed after that. I could tell that Wes was still really unsure about the whole damn thing. One thing is for certain as that he cared for his sister more than anything. I know something happened back in high school to Winnie. He just never told me what. I have a feeling that is why Wes and his dad were so keen on protecting her from guys like us, and after a few comments she made, I know it is. I felt more curious than ever. I actually was feeling desperate to know what happened to her. I just couldn't come right out and ask, especially to Wes. He can't know that I care and either can Winnie.

Winnie and Ally were jumping up and down in eachothers arms. She was excited. They both were. It was nice to see her so happy. To most people, this would be a silly thing to be so excited about. In Winnies eyes, this was considered a victory.

Cole was enjoying the view he had of the girls a little too well. I tossed a pillow off the couch in the direction of his head. "Hey, what was that for?"

Winnie rolled her eyes and tossed her own pillow at him. "Because you keep staring at our breasts. You perv."

He stood up, acting like he was insulted. It was fake. Everyone knew it. "I was stating at your asses to so dont worry I made sure know one was left out."

Ally took a pillow and hit him repeatedly with it until he started backing away towards his bedroom. He shouted. "I guess I'm going to bed. Goodnight all!"

I shook my head in disbelief with this guy. It really shouldn't shock me. The s**t this kid says is out there. Deep down, I think that's why everyone loves him. He just doesn't give a s**t. Just says whatever comes to his head first. He never, and I mean never, thinks of the consequences. What's funny is the dude is actually really smart, and I'm talking straight A's and advanced classes type s**t. He had to help me last year on a fricken math test.

I took that as my cue to head to bed. "Well, ladies, it's been fun. I'll see you in the morning."

I headed down the hall to my bedroom. It was right across the hall from Winnie's. I heard my name being called and her little footsteps heading in my direction. "Parker, wait up!"

I turned around so I was facing her. I looked past her to see that Ally was turned in a different direction to give us some privacy.

She stopped a foot in front of me before closing the space between us and hugged me. "Thank you. Even though you dragged me away from the party and got involved when you really shouldn't have. I really appreciate you sticking up for me. I don't think he would have listened if it wasn't for you."

She pulled me into an even tighter hug. I was frozen in place. I got a good whiff of her hair. She smelt like strawberries and honey? Why did it have to smell so damn good?

She pulled away and bolted back to the living room with Ally. She left me there feeling.....feeling weird.

I closed the door to my bedroom and tried to find some much needed sleep. The only problem is it didn't block out the laughter and talking coming from the living room.

Her laugh was enchanting. I could listen to it all damn day.

Eventually, sleep found me. However, my damn alarm clock went off too early. I've been getting up at six am. since I was a freshman. I would run the four mile trail before starting my day.

I tiptoed out of my room, not wanting to wake Ally or Winnie. To my surprise, they weren't out there. I know they wouldn't be in winnies room. She only has a twin bed. Both of them wouldn't be able to fit on that easily. I think that was the point of her brother insisting she would be fine with the twin. He doesn't like the idea of her sharing a bed with someone. Im sure it feels like a slap in the face to her since he had us move his new queen bed up. He wouldn't even give her his old double. I'm starting to see how wrong all of this is.

I drank my pre-made protein shake and changed into a pair of sweats and a tank that I made out of an old t-shirt.

I placed my ear plugs in and headed outside.

I was moving quickly through the trail. I've been through here nearly a thousand times. I know it like the back of my hand. You could say I was basically on auto pilot. I knew every dip and curve of it by heart. Every loose dirt patch. Every spot where roots started to poke through. I had it down.

There were a few people out like usual. I was passing them left and right. That was usual to.

I was in the zone when a short girl with a sleek black pony tail caught my eye. I already knew from her back side that it was Winnie. I caught up to her quickly and hit her shoulder with my arm. She yelped out loudly and had her fist up and ready to hit until she realized it was me. "What is wrong with you scared the s**t out of me?"

I smiled innocently. "Sorry, Winn. What the hell are you doing out here?"

She gave me a questioning look and went back to running. "I thought it was kind of obvious."

I matched her pace. "Trying something new?"

She snorted with irratation. "Parker, I've been running out here since freshmen here. You have passed me hundreds of times. Are you seriously telling me that you never noticed me out here before now?"

Well, I feel like an ass.

She put her hand up. "Don't answer that. I already know the answer."

She picked up her speed. Once again, I matched her pace. "Do you really think you should be running out here by yourself?"

"Thanks for your concern, but I've been doing it for two years already. I think I'm safe."

"Winn, not many girls come out here. It's usually just a punch of guys. Does your brother know you do this? You would be an easy target if someone learns your schedule."

Her body tensed up. "No, he doesn't know. I never thought it that way until now. Now you've wrecked my daily routine."

She turned around and was heading back up the trail, looking upset. I wasn't trying to piss her off. I just wanted her to be aware.

"Winn wait. You can run with me. I'm out here every day."

She laughed. "Parker, I know. Like I said, you literally pass me every day. You never showed any concern then. So why now?"

She had her arms crossed and was scowling at me. "I never paid attention enough before. "

"It's fine, Parker. I'm a big girl. I'll find someone else to run with. There's no need to worry now."

She went back up the path and went back in the direction of our apartment building. Part of me wanted to follow. I just knew there was no point, so I turned around and went back to the trail.