Coach Maddie and the Marine by Blaire Edens Read Free Book Online

No one could have anticipated the ambush.
    Least of all Lieutenant Sterling.
    Football. Only a few short weeks of practice and games and then she never had to see him again.
    Dressed in shorts and a cotton button-down for the meeting, Maddie realized she had an hour before it was time to pick up Andrew. She headed toward the elementary school. It would be nice to be the first car in the carpool line for once.
    When Andrew got into the car, he looked like he dreaded the meeting as much as she did.
    Trying to keep her voice light, Maddie said, “Hey, kiddo, how was school?”
    “Okay, I guess.”
    “Are you ready for the football meeting?” She snuck a glance in the rearview mirror. Andrew chewed on his lip.
    “I guess. I’m a little worried.” The last two words were only a murmur.
    “It’ll all work out fine. I promise.”
    “Is Lieutenant Sterling going to be our coach?” He asked.
    “Nope, I’m still the coach, but he’s agreed to be my assistant and teach me everything I need to know about football.”
    “We have a game a week from Saturday. I really don’t want to lose our first game, especially since we were the champions last year. We didn’t lose a single game.”
    “We’re not going to lose our first game. As a matter of fact, Lieutenant Sterling is coming over tonight for my first real football lesson.”
    Andrew sighed loudly in the backseat.
    So much for inspiring confidence.
    For the second day in a row, they were the first to reach the field. Maddie sat down on the bleachers and hoped David would arrive before the other parents came and started screaming again. Something about the way he’d handled things yesterday made her feel like he could tackle anything, or anyone, and come out on top. He made her feel safe. From the moment he’d walked into the group of angry parents and taken her whistle, the situation was under control. Everyone else realized it, too.
    There was nothing sexier than a man who knew how to take charge. All of her psychology training hadn’t erased the primal craving for an alpha-male.
    Parents and kids arrived. One by one they walked past, snuck glances at her and took seats far up into the bleachers. No one said a word, although a few of the kids gave Andrew sympathetic nods and pats on the shoulder.
    A few minutes later, David pulled into the parking lot. He walked toward the field. Confident. Self-assured. A wave of relief washed over her. He stood in front of the bleachers, looked directly at the players and the parents, and took control of the meeting immediately.
    “Last night, Coach Maddie and I came up with a plan. I’m Lieutenant David Sterling. I’m stationed here at Camp Wilson and I’ve agreed to help with the team this year. She and I will coach the team together, but she will remain the head coach.” He paced in front of the bleachers, hands on hips. “I find it very interesting that all of you were ready to tar and feather her yesterday, yet not a single one of you offered to help out when she called you over the weekend. She’s trying to do a good thing and help the boys out so they can play this year.” He stopped at the midpoint of the bleachers. “Rule One: all of you will respect her. Rule Two: you will recognize her authority as the coach of this team. Rule Three: if you don’t follow rules one and two, your kid won’t be playing. Any questions?”
    No one said a word. And no one moved.
    “Good. Last chance for questions and I’m moving on to the practice schedule.”
    “Are you the same Sterling who played for Ole Miss about ten years ago?” A deep voice shouted from the back of the crowd.
    “Yes, sir, I was a running back in college. So, hopefully, you’ll all realize that I have the experience to help Coach Maddie lead this team to a successful season.”
    “You’re the David Sterling, right? The guy who turned down a huge pro contract to join the marines after your brother was killed in Afghanistan?”
    “Yes, sir,” he