Taking a Shot at Love Read online

  Lisa stepped into the office and extended her hand across the desk to shake Celeste’s. “I’m so glad to finally know your name. I saw you at the faculty mixer and again at the exercise class, but I didn’t get a chance to actually meet you.”

  “Yes, I had to run both times, but I enjoyed the class. I think that was a great idea you had to get the students and faculty involved in learning how to take care of themselves through nutrition and exercise.”

  “Thank you. It’s so easy to get caught up in eating late night pizza while studying. At least that’s how it was for me when I was in college. I was fortunate enough to have basketball to keep my weight steady, but not everyone has that desire to exercise and it’s easy to gain weight.”

  Celeste recalled her own struggles all her life with her weight. She had been the one Lisa spoke of—late night snacking, eating the rich foods her French father would prepare, being sedentary. It wasn’t until in her late thirties that Celeste had a health scare that got her on track to leading a healthier lifestyle. Even though she was still considered overweight, she was healthy, and that was important to her.

  “I’m sorry. I’m going on and on.”

  “No, that’s quite all right. What can I do for you, Coach?”

  Lisa smiled and Celeste thought she saw a slight dimple form.

  “Please, call me Lisa. I have a player in one of your classes and she’s informed me her grade isn’t good. She’s my starting point guard, and a lot of our team’s success depends on her leading our team. I have a team rule that if any of our players gets a failing grade in any class, she’s suspended from the team until she can raise her grade point average. You see why I came to you for help.”

  Celeste could feel the heat rising in her body, and it wasn’t from the deep timbre in Lisa’s voice. She clenched her fists. Same story, different school. “Yes, I think I do, Coach Tobias. And you can forget it. Every student in my class gets the grade they earn. I don’t care if she’s the daughter of the president, I’m not going to raise a grade just so your team can be successful.”

  “Celeste—”

  “Professor Bouchard.”

  “Fine, Professor. That’s not what I was asking.” Lisa stood up in a hurry and leaned over Celeste’s desk, less than a foot away from her own face, and Celeste was tempted to lean back in her chair, but she wouldn’t give the coach the satisfaction of letting her think she was intimidated.

  Celeste clenched her jaw again, as did Lisa, and she felt her facial muscles tense. She was about to tell Lisa that she knew the game and she would never be a willing participant.

  “I would never ask for a grade my player didn’t earn. I wanted to know if you had anyone you could recommend to help tutor Emily. But forget it. I can see you’re not willing to help. Obviously, this has happened to you before, but that’s not how I run my team. I’ll find someone to help Emily myself and I’ll make sure she does better in your class. Good-bye, Professor.”

  Celeste startled when the door slammed behind Coach Tobias. Well, that was rude. How dare she raise her voice to me in my office then slam the door. She smoothed her hands down her silk blouse then over her hair. She stood, mostly because she didn’t know what else to do. She had half a mind to go after her and give her a piece of her mind, but she was still in a bit of shock from Lisa’s reaction. She went to the window where she saw Lisa walking quickly across the quad, presumably toward the gym. Lisa looked tight as a bow, striding with a purpose. And damn it. There were those lustful stirrings again. She stared out the window until Lisa was out of sight, then sat back down. She tapped her fingers on her desk as she was deep in thought. Maybe she did jump the gun and accuse the coach of being like all the others who’d asked her to change a player’s grade so they could play. Ms. Logan did attend every class and she’d never been tardy. Maybe she was trying and just not getting it. Celeste let out a deep breath, then looked up Emily Logan’s school email address and sent her a note.

  * * *

  “Goddamn, that woman is infuriating!” Lisa entered her office and Athena stopped typing on her keyboard.

  “You’re back already? I figured you’d still be talking to Logan’s English professor. I was just about to head to the gym.”

  “I went to talk to her and she accused me of wanting her to give Logan an unearned grade. She has no idea how important it is to me that my girls are more successful in the classroom than on the court. Hell, these kids aren’t going to play at the professional level. Even if one did, she wouldn’t get paid enough, not like the men. Our kids need to get their degree. I promised their parents that I would look after them. They need to get what the professors are trying to teach them. I’m so pissed right now, I can’t even see straight.”

  Athena placed her whistle around her neck and grabbed the list of drills the team was going to do in practice. “I want to hear all about it, Ice. But I need to get to the gym and you need to cool down before you come to practice, otherwise you’ll take out your frustrations on the team. Take some deep breaths, do a quick meditation, then come in when you’re ready.”

  “Thanks, Athena. I’ll be there soon.”

  Lisa paced the small space of her office while mumbling under her breath. Thankfully, Athena had shut the door so nobody else in the athletic department would witness Lisa’s rambling. Just who in the hell did Celeste Bouchard think she was? Lisa had always been honest, always, always played by the rules, and never looked for shortcuts. She worked hard on the court and even harder in the classroom when she was a student, and that was what she demanded from her team. All she wanted was someone who could help her point guard understand and perform better in her English class.

  Lisa took a few more deep breaths before grabbing her whistle and heading to the gym. When she walked in, the team was lying on the floor at midcourt in a circle and they were meditating. This was a practice Athena thought was important for the team so they could empty their minds of school, boyfriends and girlfriends, family, and all the other crap that might prevent them from being one hundred percent solely focused on practice. For the next two hours, the girls belonged to Lisa and Athena, and they would be getting ready for their home opener that coming weekend.

  Athena gave Lisa a nod, indicating that their meditation session could come to an end.

  “Okay, ladies, let’s run through our offense.” Lisa called out the probable starting five and the defense. “Logan, take it to the right.” Lisa and Athena stood off to the side, analyzing every movement, every screen set, and had the team run it over and over until they were satisfied.

  “Great job, ladies. Grab some water. Logan, I need to have a word.” Athena walked away as Emily jogged over to Lisa. “I went to speak to your English professor today.”

  “I know, Coach. She emailed me right before practice and told me to come see her tomorrow during her office hours. She’s going to work with me to figure out why I’m having such a hard time in her class.”

  Lisa was speechless but didn’t want to let Logan in on her surprise.

  “Well, that’s good. Keep me up to date on your progress or if you need further help.”

  “I will, Coach. Thanks for going to bat for me.”

  “Every time, Logan. I made a promise to you and your parents that I’d look out for you.”

  Emily joined her teammates on the baseline to wait for Lisa to call out the next drill. Lisa felt a little satisfaction and a little relief that Celeste Bouchard reached out to Logan to help her. Maybe she wasn’t so bad after all, but the jury was still out on that.

  Chapter Six

  Celeste had been looking forward to this all week. She sat on the hardwood floor in her black Lycra shorts, strapping up her high-heeled platform shoes. When she had first started pole dancing a few years ago, she had been self-conscious about her body and did her best to hide it under baggy clothes. That made it even harder to pole dance. Since taking the classes, she’d become more comfortable with her body and she’d been able to embr
ace her sensuality. Celeste had never been crazy about exercising, but she had tried it when she worked at her previous university, and she loved it. The pole dancing had become not only her exercise but also a way of clearing her mind. When she moved to her new town, she found a new studio and talked Olivia into going with her. They’d been going to their Thursday night class almost every week, and Celeste had a pole installed in her home so she could work out anytime she wanted.

  Olivia came rushing into the gym and dropped her gym bag on the floor before stripping out of her sweats. She wore an outfit similar to Celeste’s and similar shoes, just in a different color.

  “Sorry I’m late, but I had to meet with a student after class.”

  “No problem. I got here just a few minutes before you. Are we still on for the juice bar after class?”

  “Absolutely, if by juice bar you meant having a glass of wine.”

  Celeste laughed. “Was your day that bad?”

  “No, I’m just kidding. We’re not dressed for a place like that anyways. Maybe we could hit up a wine bar this weekend though. But yes, we can get a smoothie.”

  The instructor started the music, getting the students’ attention, and she started with her choreography. By the time class ended, Celeste was sweating but felt energized and strong. When she had first started taking the class, she wasn’t even strong enough to work with the pole. She just learned the moves and practiced on the floor and against the wall. The first time she used the pole, she fell on her ass, but she got right back up and tried it again with the encouragement of her classmates. Because she stuck with it, she improved her flexibility and strength, and best of all, she formed close, lasting friendships with women she never would have met.

  Celeste and Olivia said good-bye to the class and walked down the sidewalk to the Jamba Juice and ordered strawberry-banana smoothies with a protein shot. This was Celeste’s weekly Thursday night dinner whether she bought it or made one at home. She was never hungry after working out, but she had to refuel her body somehow.

  They sat at a table after they received their drinks. Celeste played with her straw for a moment. “So, I had a visit from Coach Tobias on Tuesday afternoon.”

  Olivia scrunched her eyebrows together. “Coach Tobias?”

  “Yeah, the one who did our first fitness class. The walk around the campus. Remember?”

  “Oh, yeah. The hottie.”

  Celeste smirked. “I hadn’t noticed.” She took a sip through the straw.

  “Uh-huh. Anyways, what did she want?”

  “She has a player from her team in one of my classes and the student isn’t doing too well. She apparently wanted to know if I knew of a tutor that could help her.”

  “Apparently?”

  “Yes, well, I misunderstood. I thought she was asking me to raise the student’s grade.”

  “Tell me you didn’t accuse her of asking you to cheat.”

  Celeste winced. She knew she’d been in the wrong, and she really needed to contact Coach Tobias to apologize. “I may have.”

  “Celeste! What on earth were you thinking? That’s a serious accusation you made.”

  “I know. I know. Look, this happened to me a few times at the last university I worked. You know that sort of thing happens.”

  “Not at our school, it doesn’t. These kids aren’t going to play professional sports, and they needed at least a 3.5 GPA to get accepted here. These kids are not unintelligent. Most of the students here will graduate.”

  “I’m just wary when a coach comes to talk to me rather than the student, but I know I made a mistake, and I’ll apologize to the coach for jumping to conclusions.”

  “How did the coach react? I know if it had been me, I would’ve been really upset.”

  “Yes, she was angry. She slammed my door when she practically stomped out of my office. I was surprised none of the other professors came to see what was going on.”

  “You make sure you apologize to the coach, Celeste. The sooner, the better.”

  The rest of their time together was peaceful and they hugged each other in the parking lot when they said good-bye. During her drive home, Celeste rehearsed what she would say when she called the coach the next day.

  * * *

  Celeste was finishing up with Emily the following morning. They had spent the better part of an hour going over the assignments they’d covered so far, what she’d been doing wrong, and what Celeste had been looking for. What it came down to was the way Celeste had been explaining in class, Emily somehow had a difficult time expressing her thoughts on paper. They had agreed that before Emily turned in an assignment, Celeste would take a look to make sure Emily got the concept. From their short time together, Celeste had an opportunity to get to know her student a little better. She did seem like an intelligent young lady who really did want to learn. They would meet a few more times to make sure Emily was truly getting what Celeste was trying to teach.

  “Great job today, Emily. I’m confident that you’ll be able to pick your grade up. Forget about your scores thus far and focus on the rest of the semester. And promise me that from now on, if you’re having a problem in a class, talk to your professor. We want you to succeed. Do you have an idea for your final paper?”

  Emily avoided Celeste’s gaze and fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “Yeah, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to write it, you know, Professor?”

  “I don’t think so, Emily. Can you tell me what you mean?”

  Emily’s face turned red and tears welled up in her eyes, but she remained quiet.

  “Emily, whatever it is, you’re safe with me. I won’t judge you.” She would’ve judged her probably just a few weeks ago, but now Celeste had gotten to know Emily and she thought she was a good kid.

  “I was thinking about writing my paper on what it’s like to be a young lesbian growing up in a small town and in a family where that wouldn’t be accepted.”

  Celeste moved from behind her desk and sat in the chair next to Emily. She placed her hand on Emily’s shoulder and waited until Emily looked up to say something. “I think that would be a great topic. You never know when the information you have might help somebody else. Would you be writing it from your own personal knowledge?”

  Emily looked away again, and this time, the tears fell freely. Emily could only nod.

  “Emily, look at me.” Celeste waited until Emily’s red, puffy eyes met hers. “I’m here for you if you want to talk about anything. You’ll always be safe with me. Do your parents know?”

  Emily shook her head. “They’re very strict in their religious teachings, and I’ve heard the way they talk about sinners. I’m afraid they’d send me to conversion therapy.”

  Now her tears were falling harder, and Celeste’s heart broke for the young lady who was crying on her shoulder. “We can certainly discuss your fears about that, and they are definitely valid. Are you out here? Does Coach Tobias know?”

  Emily shook her head and cried harder. “I don’t want to do anything that would disappoint her. I was seeing a girl last year in the spring. She was my first girlfriend, and I was crazy about her. She broke up with me toward the end of the semester last spring and it completely wrecked me. I tanked most of my finals and I barely passed my classes. Then I had to go home for the summer with a broken heart and pretend I was fine so my family wouldn’t ask questions.”

  “That must have been very difficult for you.” Celeste handed Emily some tissue and got her a bottle of water from the mini fridge she had in her office. “If you wanted to talk to Coach Tobias about this, I’m sure she’d be very supportive. If you don’t, I’m always here for you. Your secret is safe with me, Emily.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for helping me.”

  “Any time. And, Emily, you can call me Celeste.”

  “No, ma’am, I can’t. My father would be very disappointed in me if I called someone in authority by their first name.”

  That comment took Celeste by surprise, but she t
ried to keep a straight face and just nodded. She’d wondered what kind of household Emily had grown up in, and Celeste hoped that Emily would confide in her if need be. “By chance, do you know if your coach is in her office?”

  Emily’s eyes widened like she was going to the firing squad.

  “Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with you. I owe her an apology from something I misunderstood.”

  Emily looked confused. “She should be. We have practice at two today, but she’s usually in her office all day with Coach Chang going over basketball things.”

  Celeste smothered a smile. There were times when her students reminded her that even though they were legally adults, some still talked and behaved like teenagers. Emily exited the office and Celeste picked up the phone to call Coach Tobias. She started to dial, then placed the handset back on the receiver. She really should apologize in person.

  * * *

  “There. Right there. Did you see that fake?” Lisa pointed at the television screen where she and Athena were studying game tape of the team they were scheduled to play the next day. She always watched their opponents play so she could get her team prepared in the practice before the game. If her team lost, it would be because the other team was better. It would never be due to lack of preparation.

  “Yeah, I see it. We’ll have to go over that with Wilson. She loves going for that fake, and we need to get her to stop.” Athena wrote it down on her list for practice later that day. The tap on the door made them both turn. Lisa was tempted to tell the visitor to go away, but she decided against that.

  “What can I do for you, Professor?”

  “I was wondering if I could have a word with you.”