I threw my arm over her shoulders. “Come over tonight and we’ll design a flyer that we can pass out and hang around school.”

She stopped and spun me around to face her. “Just be prepared for some people to be dicks about this. Not everybody is supportive. I know most of the school knows about you, but some people won’t support us. They’ll tear up the flyers or throw them in the trash.”

“I’m sure it’ll suck, but think about the kids who don’t have the football team to back them. I think it’s worth it.”

She leaned her head on my shoulder as I walked her to class. “I love your attitude. It’s going to get you far. Just not in high school.” She veered off to the left for chem lab and I continued on to Pre-Calc.

Chapter Eighteen—First Kiss

Present

“Grayson’s on fire today.” Bill pumped his fist and celebrated the fourth touchdown pass of the game.

The Bears were trailing by twenty-one points and no way would they catch us. Most of their players were moping on the other side of the field. Some had thrown their helmets under the benches in anger.

I sympathized with them. That was how I felt during the Bills game, but I could only stand on the sidelines and watch. I refused to show any emotion. If the cameras caught me having a temper tantrum, people would say “this is why women shouldn’t coach” or “women are just too emotional for this game.”

I high-fived Bill and the offense as they ran back to the bench. “He’s doing amazing stuff out there, that’s for sure,” I said.

Grayson seemed more confident and focused. He played to the crowd, and the more they cheered, the better he played. This was not the same guy who wept in front of me and almost lost his job because he showed up to work drunk.

We pocketed another win, bringing our season to 6-2. We were tied for first place in our division and the press was anxious to chat. Grayson was charming as ever with them and Bill answered questions about the season.