Slow and Steady Rush by Laura Trentham

forward and faced the older man like two alpha dogs vying for leadership.
    Perkins couldn’t maintain eye contact and stomped away without another word.
    Robbie settled behind his desk and turned his attention to lesson plans, rubbing his temples. An unusual cacophony of voices in the hall popped his head up. Jesus, what now?
    He’d risen halfway behind his desk when the door swung open. Logan and Darcy argued their way into his office. Darcy plopped in a chair and crossed her arms and legs, a corner of her mouth pulled back. Logan paced behind her. A frenetic energy pulsed around the room.
    Logan said, “We need to resolve this whole misunderstanding pronto. Not that it should matter, but it’s distracting the kids and the town. We want everyone’s focus to be on our opening game, not tittering about your sexual preferences. Sheila’s mouth keeps running at The Tavern to anyone who’ll listen. Obviously, if you don’t want her, you’re gay. And don’t get me started on Perkins. He’d love to get rid of all of us and take a grab at the head job.”
    “If we win, it won’t matter.” Robbie repeated Tyler’s wisdom.
    “Maybe we won’t win. What then?” Logan asked. “Perkins will only get louder and more aggressive. There’s some that wanted him hired to begin with. We can’t let the SOB gain any traction.”
    Robbie shuffled his hands through his hair and laced his fingers behind his neck. After his confrontation with Perkins, Robbie feared Logan was right. Why couldn’t football stay about the art of the game instead of turning into a political chess match?
    “What are you thinking?” Robbie asked Logan.
    “He’s suggesting that we date.” Darcy bracketed the last word in air quotes.
    Robbie’s heart picked up speed, and he wiped his palms down the legs of his jeans. “That’s … that’s …”
    “Crazy, right?” Darcy asked.
    He stared into her eyes and whispered, “Insane.”
    Logan rolled his eyes. “All I’m suggesting is a couple of very public outings. Dinner, maybe dancing at The Tavern. You don’t have to get all gropey or make out. A little handholding might be nice. Darcy can come cheer on her man—Dalt,” he added as if it needed clarification, “for the first few games. Once we’re winning and the rumors have been squashed, everyone can move on.”
    Robbie said, “I’m not going to force Darcy to go eat dinner with me.”
    One side of Logan’s mouth rose, and he poked her in the shoulder. “It’s the least she can do, right cuz?”
    “I’ll go, but only if Robbie wants to.” She cast him an inscrutable look under her lashes.
    What did that mean? Did she want to go out with him? Their confrontation at the library was still fresh on his mind. Not to mention his underhanded method of getting her to tutor his team. She had every right to tell him to go to hell.
    Robbie bought some time. “Is the talk really getting to the boys?”
    Logan said, “They’re still loyal to you, but they’re kids.”
    Robbie looked to Darcy. “Are you willing? If you aren’t, I’ll ride this out.”
    Her head tilted as she considered him. “It really is the least I can do. Even though, I want to state for the record, I thought Kat and I were alone when I spilled the wrong beans. Anyway, a few dates with you won’t kill me.”
    “Try to control your enthusiasm,” Robbie said with a sighing dry laugh.
    “Great. It’s a done deal.” Logan thumped the desk. “How about you two have dinner Friday night and hit The Tavern the following weekend. It’ll be packed. Be at Ada’s at six on Friday to pick her up, Dalt.”
    “Fine. Six,” he said.
    Darcy’s eyes flared with emotion—anger, humor—impossible for Robbie to read. “Where are we going? I need to know what to wear.”
    Logan pointed at Robbie. “Take her to the new Italian place on Main. And, you,” he swung his finger to Darcy, “for the love of God, wear something besides shorts and a T-shirt.”
    If looks could