He had no idea what he was going to say or do, but even the voice in his head couldn’t stop him. Angel had made no secret of his relationship with Sarah last semester and the coach had seen them together plenty of times. Maybe just seeing Angel would make him back the hell off.

Angel had made it halfway to the bleachers when the coach called everyone in. That’s when his eyes met Sarah’s. The smile on her face dissolved when she saw him and she looked away.

He took slower steps toward the bleachers now as the coach gave his speech on what he thought they needed to work on. What a joke. He’d spent the entire practice chatting up with Sarah and now he was going preach to them?

Angel reached the bottom of the bleachers when the coach was done. Everyone started on their way and Sofia came over to meet him. Sarah’s back was turned to him as she gathered her crutches.

The coach held her by the arm when she lost her balance. Angel concentrated hard on relaxing. Sarah laughed when the coach called her a klutz and she almost lost her balance again.

“C’mon, Sarah, you’re killing me,” the coach teased.

“I got it now.” She giggled as she stood up straight.

Her back was still to Angel. She hadn’t seen him that close yet and the coach hadn’t noticed him in the crowd.

“You need a ride home?” The coach asked. “I can drop you off.”

“That’s alright, coach. She’s got a ride.”

Both the coach and Sarah turned to look at him. Angel didn’t feel like he was talking to a coach at his school anymore. He was big but young and what Alex had said hit him in the gut. This guy was slick and Sarah was legal. The coach stared him down like a rival and looked back at Sarah.

Sarah peered at Angel. “Really? Funny I wasn’t aware.”

Her attitude surprised Angel but he didn’t back down. “Yeah, I’m taking you home.”

Sarah stomped down the bleachers. Her crutches made every step louder than normal. The coach was steadfast behind her.

“I’d rather walk,” Her eyes were ablaze.

But Angel noticed a slight break in the heat when their eyes locked and took advantage. “Why?

She glanced away quickly, and then stared at him again. Angel’s heart raced. She was so close he fought with himself to not take her face in his hands and kiss her like he had so many times before.

“You haven’t even said hello to me since I’ve been back,” She stopped when her emotions betrayed her.

Her rigid stare faltered. And when Angel saw her beautiful eyes well up he knew he’d made a huge mistake. “Don’t you even wanna know why I’m still here?”

Angel panicked when he saw the tears line the sides of her cheeks. This was the last thing he’d imagined would happen. He could think of nothing else to do but shake his head. “I’m sorry,” Was all that he managed to get out.

She stared at him incredibly and then leaned on her crutch to wipe the tears. In an instant she went from weepy to resolute. “Well, I’m sorry too.”

She looked at Sofia “I’ll see you Monday.”

Coach Rudy had backed away but was still close.

“Does that offer still stand?”

“Of course,” The coach smiled. “You’re on my way home.”

Angel clenched his jaw but didn’t go after her. The coach turned casually to look at Angel one last time. There was something about the way he smiled then reached out and put his hand on Sarah’s shoulder as they walked away. Angel was sure of it this time. Rudy was challenging him.

*

Sarah didn’t think there was any part of her heart left to break. She was so angry at herself for crying. Why did he still have so much power over her? It was pathetic the way her entire body went into a frenzy from just seeing him.

Being that close to him had such an overwhelming effect on her. She couldn’t hold in what she was feeling but his obvious contempt for her now was undeniable. He didn’t even care why she was still here.

She tried desperately to shake it off on the ride home. Talking to Coach Rudy about her mom was one thing but telling him about Angel would be quite another. Sydney would be the first to point that out.

She was quiet most of the way and he finally asked. “Are you okay?”

Sarah nodded but didn’t offer anything.

“You don’t have to tell me about it,” he said. “Just hope you know, even though it feels like you won’t right now, you’ll get over him eventually. I promise.”

He always knew exactly what to say. Sarah had always thought it was just a coach thing. On the field whenever she questioned herself he always knew just when to say something that would make her feel better. But now even off the field, his words were so comforting.

“I’m gonna go see my mom again.”

They pulled in her driveway and he turned the engine off. “Really, when?”

“On Sunday, but I leave tomorrow.”

“Did you tell anyone?” He smiled.

“Well, I’m telling you.”

“Really? No one else knows?”

He leaned against the door and for a moment he seemed much younger than how she usually perceived him. The way he was looking at her reminded Sarah of Angel when they used to park in their place and talk. Sydney’s words came to her. The rumors started from something valid.

“Something wrong?”

Sarah shook her head. “No, I’m sorry my mind was somewhere else. What did you say?”