“And that’s another thing. Why is this woman acting as your assistant coach and not Delaney?”
Em crossed her arms. “This woman has a name, which I’m pretty sure you know since we had a conversation about Abby Mackenzie’s podcast.”
“Em, why don’t you do the warm-up with the team?”
“Sure. But if it’s okay with you, I want to talk to them about swatting first,” she said to Josh while holding O’Brien’s gaze. “You may not be aware of this, but HFPD was a victim of swatting Friday night at Seaton House. You were there, weren’t you? Using it as an opportunity to defame your opponent, which I’m sure your lawyer has already advised put you in legal jeopardy. If they haven’t, I’m happy to provide you with the exact laws you’ve broken.”
“You obviously have an agenda, Officer Scott, and I won’t allow you to use your volunteer position on this team to push it. I advise you to fire her today, Callahan, or you might find yourself without a job.”
“Actually, I’m here speaking in my role as community outreach officer with HFPD. We believe a member of this team made the call Friday night.” She held his gaze, and then she turned and walked away.
She called Gabe as soon as she was out of hearing distance. Although she didn’t think O’Brien would hear her if she was standing right beside him. He was too busy yelling at Josh. Em had no idea how Josh remained calm in the face of the man’s threats. He was far too chill and easygoing. And because he was, Em decided she’d pay O’Brien a visit when she was back on the job next week and give him a warning based on what she heard coming out of his mouth.
Gabe answered, and Em filled him in. He wasn’t exactly thrilled with her, especially because there was no evidence linking a member of the team to the call. But he did agree that the high school student body should be made aware of the dangers of swatting, which resulted in Em being awarded the position she claimed to hold. She was now acting community liaison with HFPD. Or she would be once she was back on the job.
After a brief talk about swatting, Em put the team through the warm-up routine. She hadn’t seen any indication of guilt on the boys’ faces. But she did see humiliation and anger on Drew’s face every time his gaze strayed to his father. He caught her watching him and ducked his head.
“Okay, guys, take a five-minute break and grab a drink before we start drills,” she said, wondering where Josh was. He’d finished up his conversation with O’Brien ten minutes ago.
“Em, can I talk to you for a minute?” Drew asked.
“Sure. What’s up?”
He raised a shoulder, looking uncomfortable. “I just wanted to apologize for my dad. You’re a great assistant coach, and I don’t want you to leave because of what he said. None of us do. Me and the guys will talk to the principal or the board if you need us to.”
“Thanks, Drew, I appreciate it. I enjoy helping with the team. You’re a great bunch of kids, and I don’t plan on going anywhere.” Unless she put Josh’s job at risk. She looked down at herself. “I’m sorry about the T-shirt. I didn’t consider how it would make you feel.”
He grinned. “It’s okay. My mom has one too.”
“Cool. But it can’t be easy for you right now with the election campaigns heating up, so if anyone gives you a hard time, let me or Coach know. We’re here for you if you ever need to talk, Drew.”
“Thanks.” He glanced at Josh, who joined them. “Sorry about that, Coach. You know what he’s like.”
“We’ve talked about this before, buddy. It has nothing to do with you, but if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
“Go get something to drink.” He gave Drew’s shoulder a squeeze and then called, “On the field in five, guys.”
“Where did you go?”
“To give the principal a heads-up.” He held her gaze as he pulled a photo from his pocket. “I ran into Neil on the way back. He asked me to give you this.”
“He shouldn’t have given you the photo. It was supposed to be a surprise. Don’t let the team know.” She filled him in on her plan.
“Em, Drew isn’t O’Brien’s biological son. He’s O’Brien’s wife’s son from her first marriage. But they do have a daughter, and you’ve already met her.”
“I have?”
“Yeah. Finger painting day with my mom’s class. Remember the dark-haired little girl I rescued you from having to guess what she’d painted? That was O’Brien’s daughter. But Em, two kids looking alike doesn’t prove anything. Unless you had a DNA match…” His eyes roamed her face and he groaned. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“What? They wouldn’t even know. All I’d need is a water bottle or, in the case of a kindergartener, a juice box.”
“Don’t tell me. I don’t want to hear about it. But I’d suggest you talk to your boss before you do anything, and while you’re at it, you might want to tell him about your conversation with O’Brien. Because I guarantee, he’ll be giving him a call.”
“I already did.” She told him about her new assignment at HFPD, and Josh started laughing. “It’s not funny,” she muttered.
“You’re right. It’s not funny. It’s hysterical.” His laughter faded almost as fast as it began, and he put his hands in his pockets. “So when were you going to tell me you have a date with Neil tonight?”
“I don’t know. It’s not a big deal. It’s just a date.”
“A date isn’t a big deal for some people, but it is for you. This is your first date since Brad died.”
“No, it’s not. You were my first, second, third, and fourth date. Unless you’re counting football practices and the game.”
“Em, those weren’t real dates.”
They felt real to her, and it bothered her that he so easily dismissed them. “Whatever. We’re just going out for dinner. I think I can handle it.”
“Where are you going?”
“Zia Maria’s,” she said, referring to the Italian restaurant on Main Street.
“Really? I guess I’ll see you there.”
“No. No way. I don’t need a chaperone or you mouthing conversation starters at me.”
“What are you talking about? I’m not going to chaperone you. I have a date too.”
Her stomach felt like it was weighed down by a lead balloon. “Oh yeah, with whom?”
“You wouldn’t know her.”
Em sat across from Neil at a table for two. A candle wedged into a wicker-wrapped Chianti bottle cast a warm glow over the red-and-white-checked tablecloth. The fact the table was tucked away in a far corner worked for her. She had a feeling the date wouldn’t go well and didn’t want any witnesses to her failure. And the reason she didn’t think the date would go well had nothing to do with her being a pessimist. It was based on the evidence. Neil had blanched when Zia Maria assured them that it was the most romantic table in the restaurant, and he seemed unable to stop talking about his wife. It was as if he’d been storing everything up for the past three years, waiting for Em and for this moment.