She felt stupid. Just because he was so young looking didn’t mean anything.

“I said, am I the only one that knows you’re going?”

Sarah chuckled. “No, everyone knows, even my mom this time.”

“You taking the bus again?”

“Yeah, and my friend is meeting me there.”

He frowned. “That’s a long ride to take all on your own. Can’t your aunt or cousin go with you?”

There was something about Coach Rudy. Maybe it was because she’d never had a father figure or any older siblings but his kind words and his worrying warmed her. She liked it.

“Valerie gets car sick on long trips, especially in a bus. And my aunt has to work.” She smiled. “But I’ll be okay. I slept most the way last time.”

“I’d offer to take you, if I didn’t have to work. It’s a beautiful drive. And,” he emphasized. “I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon.”

Sarah scrunched up her nose. “You work on the weekends?”

“Not every weekend. I ref youth soccer.”

“Really?” He was so big, she never imagined him as a soccer player. “So, you play also, right?”

“Well, I used to. Back in my day,” he laughed. “Now, I just ref. Too old to play. But it’s still fun.”

“You’re not that old,” Sarah regretted the moment it came out of her mouth. It seemed inappropriate.

“I could’ve still been playing in college, but I rushed the books to graduate early. Couldn’t wait to start teaching.”

He smiled and again Sarah got that feeling that she wasn’t sitting there with a coach or teacher. She felt so comfortable. Like talking to Sydney.

“So, any particular reason you’re going to see your mom? Or just because?”

Sarah nodded. “Yeah, after seeing her last time I realized I should’ve been doing it a lot more often. Only reason I hadn’t was because she’d made it a point to tell me she didn’t want me to when she first went in.”

“Well, maybe next time you go, I can take you.”

Sarah knew that would sound weird to others. Maybe it was her long history with Sydney that made her believe you could actually care about someone with no ulterior motives. She decided he was a good guy. He showed genuine concern for her and she trusted him.

Before she could respond he sat up a little. “Hey, ever been running at the Canyon?”

“Yeah, the trails are awesome. I loved the work out,” Sarah smiled remembering all the times she’d raced Sydney there.

“Ever been to Mount Soledad?”

Sarah felt her stomach hollow as the memories of the picnic she had with Angel there and all the times they’d gone back later, supposedly to hike but always ended up sprawled out on a blanket somewhere. She managed a nod.

“The trails are spectacular there also. I take a few of my students up there every now and then. Talk about a work out. Maybe when your ankle is better you can join us.”

“Yeah,” Sarah bit her lip. “That sounds good.”

It really did, going back to the park would be bittersweet, but she could see herself getting lost in a run in the beautiful trails.

When she spoke to Sydney that night he surprised her again. She thought he’d be furious about Angel, instead he played devil’s advocate.

“So, he didn’t like that The Perv was gonna drive you home? He’s Angel. Did his reaction really surprise you?”

“Okay, Sydney first of all, can you please stop calling him The Perv?” Sarah walked around her room cautiously, her ankle was feeling a lot better. “And second that’s not the point. The point is he expected me to just drop everything and jump in his car without so much as a hello or how’ve you been. Does he really think he has me that wrapped?”

She pondered on that thought for a moment. Who was she kidding? She could hardly believe even now that she’d passed up the chance to go home with him.

“Lynni, how many times have you seen Angel being uber male? He’s all nerves and will,” Sydney chuckled. “The last thing on his mind would be formalities. I’m sure he would’ve asked you how you’ve been in the car.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Sydney laughed. “I know, I know. I’m teasing. Alright so he handled it wrong. But isn’t that what he’s always done? React? Bottom line is his intentions were honorable no? He put all his feelings about everything else that’s happened away to get you out of a possibly dangerous situation.”

“Dangerous? That’s so ridiculous. Coach Rudy is harmless.”

“So, what did… Coach Rudy have to say about the whole thing?”

Sarah knew Sydney wasn’t going to like how long the coach had hung around again when he was supposed to just be dropping her off. But she’d learned her lesson about half truths. She was never going to lie for the sake of arguing again.

“He didn’t ask and I didn’t tell him. He just said I’d get over Angel.”

“Why did he say that?”

“I dunno, I guess he saw how sad I was and thought it would make me feel better,” Sarah sat down on her bed and moved her ankle around in the air. It was definitely better. “I told him about going to see my mom again.”

“Let me guess. He offered to take you,” Sydney chuckled.

Sarah gulped. She couldn’t believe he’d hit it on the nose. She didn’t respond.