Chasing Football Dreams (Diner Girl #2)

Chapter Twenty-Four

C oach Shane helped me practice on my game plan for hours what only felt like a few seconds. Nightfall was rolling in while we were still on the field working on plays.

Never have I imagined that I would be able to relive my childhood memories with my real dad.

I was half-field down towards the in-zone with Coach Shane chasing me when his best friend Benjamin Foster arrived. I felt an incredible ick when I was around him.

"Isn't it a bit late for practice?" Benjamin asked, shaking Coach Shane's hand.

Coach Shane shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "We are just working on some plays for the championship,"

"Angela told me about the blood results,"

Coach Shane and I froze at his statement. As far as I am concerned Coach Shane and myself were the only ones who knew about the results.

"We only received the results this morning," Coach Shane noted.

Benjamin's face didn't transform like he had no emotions, but his eyes told a different story when they were filled with suspicion. "Oh, yeah. She only told me that you ran blood tests because you were suspecting Zoey to be your daughter,"

His dark, untrusted eyes shifted to me as he said daughter. Like he had difficulty saying the word.

I didn't have to look at Coach Shane to notice that he was skeptical, but he didn't say anything.

"We were going to keep it a secret for a while as you know the finals are coming up and Zoey and her team need to focus on the weekend,"

"So, Zoey is your daughter?" Benjamin asked.

There was a quiver in his voice as he tried to cover his disbelief.

Coach Shane looked at me, smiling as he nodded. "Yeah, my daughter was alive all this time just like I told everyone,"

He playfully bumped my shoulder before he rested his arm over my shoulders, pulling me against his side. His hand wiped away the cynical shudders in my spine with a comforting stroke.

"Go get cleaned up and then I will drop you off at home,"

I nodded and headed for the locker rooms. I took a quick shower and went out to meet Coach Shane in the parking lot but instead, I found myself alone with Benjamin.

He didn't seem too thrilled to be stuck with me. He couldn't fool me with his forced smile and small talk. He was acting weird from the moment he met me. He made it obvious that a girl's place wasn't on the field as a football player.

"I don't know what game you are playing or who you think you are. But you are not his daughter. I witnessed his daughter get buried,"

I didn't blink at his words or care about his judgment. I was prepared for this moment since I suspected Coach Shane was my father.

"I was there to help him, and his wife survive the trauma of their daughter. I will not let you destroy them again,"

"You should tell them now that this was some kind of sick joke before I tell them how you played both of them,"

Shock rushed through my veins as I listened to him falsely accusing me. "I am not playing any kind of sick game," I defended myself as I felt I had the right.

"I know all about your obsession with Shane Martin. You suddenly made the team miraculously before he picked your team,"

He took a dangerous, intimidating step towards me and crowded me with his height. I felt a sense of panic overbearing me making me take an instinctive step back, but he grabbed me by the upper arm. I winced when he dug his fingers into my skin. I shoved him away from me and pulled my arm free when my instincts kicked in.

"Don't touch me!" I screamed at him, backing away from him.

"Hey! What's going on?" Coach Shane ran up to us. Benjamin backed away from me, lifting his hands in the arm pretending that he didn't do anything.

"I should go home," I stated, pulling my phone from my hoodie and noticing that I had missed calls from Duncan.

"Zoey, I will drop you off," Coach Shane offered.

"No. I am fine. I grew up walking the streets," I walked away, biting down on the inside of my cheek as I still felt his fingers digging into my skin.

I wanted to run but that would only alarm Shane. This was a mistake. I shouldn't have looked into my case. No one will believe that I am his daughter, not even blood tests are enough to prove my case.

I dialed Duncan's number not having to wait long for him to answer.

"Hey, where are you? I am at your dorm room, but they say you already left,"

"I am at the college gridiron,"

"Zoey, what's going on?"

"The results came back," I sniffled, wiping away a stupid tear escaping from my eye.

"I am coming to get you," He didn't hesitate.

I dropped the call, not having to wait too long as he showed up almost instantly. He got out met me on the sidewalk and took me in his arms. Relief washed over me as I was safe and with someone who believed me.

"Come on, let's get you home," he said, taking my bags from me and opening the door for me to get in.

He took my hand in his as he drove us home, rubbing comfortable circles on my hand. No words needed to be exchanged. The silence was strong enough to reassure me.

He let me take a shower in peace while he reheated dinner. I got dressed in one of his shirts and met him downstairs sitting on the porch. There was always something beautiful about his naked back. Maybe it had to do with his hard work keeping lean and bulked.

He glanced over his shoulder when he heard me coming down the stairs. He pushed to his feet, and I had to clamp my lips shut to stop me from moaning at the sight of him. Every day I get reminded of how lucky I am to be given such a talented man who does not have a gorgeous body but who loves me for me.

"My mom made her famous Lasagna," He pulled out a chair for me and placed a plate down in front of me. "And she made me take dessert as well since you like sweet things,"

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. "I think you are referring to yourself,"

He pressed a kiss to my temple as he sheepishly chuckled. "I don't know if it is a good or bad thing that you know me so well,"

I chuckled softly, humming at the first bite of Lasagna I forked into my mouth.

"Are we going to talk about why you were at the gridiron?" Duncan asked when he sat down next to me.

"I felt since I got these memories of us playing ball together, I wanted to experience it in real life," It was fun and experienceable to have spent some quality time together. I always looked up to him as a player who has achieved the unthinkable.

"We were having fun until his friend; Benjamin Forte arrived and accused me of playing games,"

Duncan's hand froze midway as he stared at me unblinking. "The same misogynistic guy who questioned your position on the team?"

I nodded.

He rolled his eyes. "Don't listen to that asshole. He doesn't have a clue of what you went through or who you are. Don't let his dimwitted comments get to you,"

"He grabbed me,"

Duncan's whole demeanor changed from showing gentleness to dark. "Did he hurt you?" He dropped his fork and pushed to his feet.

I shook my head. "I shoved him away from me," I pulled the sleeve back to show him where he grabbed me. There were no traces of where he grabbed me even though I could still feel his fingers piercing into my arm.

Duncan gently took my arm in his hands and rubbed his thumbs over my skin. I frowned when it felt tender.

"If he so much comes near you again, I will hurt him," Duncan growled, exhibiting his protective side.

I was shocked to learn that he could be this vigilant. I didn't feel scared that he cared so deeply for me that he wanted to protect me.

"I know," I rested my hand on his cheek. "I am starting to regret that I've looked into my case. I wish I could undo these last couple of months. I just want to be the girl you bumped into and spill coffee over. I don't want to be in the spotlight as Shane Martin's daughter,"

"I just want to be me, and have a life I never had,"