Thanks to everyone who has continued to follow this story.
A big snowfall this week gave me some free time to write, so this is the longest chapter so far.
I hope people like, and as always I appreciate the votes.
I have one story, Sheer Undies, that has been up on the site for nearly five years and hasn't had anywhere near the number of reads and votes as this series, so thanks a bunch.
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On the ride home, Paige asked, "Sooooo, what did you think?"
My mind flashed back to the girls' nice figures. "Think about what?"
"What do you think I mean? The team! You think we can win the conference?"
"Oh, right. Well yeah, I see a lot of potential. I don't know if we'll have any three-point threats, but this squad looks multitalented."
"I'm so excited! I really think we can make the playoffs, and I know you'll bring out the best in everybody, Dad."
"Thanks, honey," I said, then changing the subject. "Now what to do about your birthday?"
"You already got the hot tub; I don't expect anything else."
"That doesn't mean we don't celebrate. You wanna invite the team over?"
"Sure, but ..." she hesitated.
"Buuuuut what?"
"Well, you know some of the girls have boyfriends, and they might want to bring them."
One eyebrow raised up as I dared take my eyes off the road to look at her.
"It's not like Halloween. This isn't a sleepover, just some people coming to a party."
"Tell me something, Paige. What's your boyfriend's name?"
"Dad, you know I don't have a --"
"What's your boyfriend's name?"
"Spalding," she mumbled, her head drooping forward.
"That's right. You've got enough brains and basketball skill to go to college, so now is not the time to get distracted by boys."
"C'mon, Dad. It's just a birthday party, and you can be there to chaperone."
Eventually she wore me down. I agreed on the condition that the guest list be shorter than what we had for the sleepover.
As my daughter and I pulled into the driveway, all I could think about was what a disgraceful display I made today. It didn't matter that I was alone in the locker room -- it was still wrong.
How could I pull off coaching these girls for a whole season if I didn't pull it together?
I went to my desk and rummaged through my old Rolodex. Yes, any cell phone on the planet can hold phone numbers now, but mine was full of business cards that people handed me at furniture markets. It would take a lot of time and diligence to input all that into a digital address book, and I didn't want the bother.
Finding what I wanted, I called a former player.
"Heather, this is Henry Donaldson."
"Hey, Coach. I hear you're stepping up to the big time this season."
Small communities, gotta love 'em.
"That's why I'm calling. I don't have a shooter."
"Sorry, Coach. I'm afraid I used up my eligibility a few years ago."
"I remember. All-conference, leading three-point shooter. That's why I need you."
"For what?"
"To help me coach. I don't really have an assistant coach. I have a JV coach, but he's too busy with his own squad to help me. What do you say?"
"I've never coached a day in my life. You need somebody with some experience."
"Heather, what I need is someone who's been there, someone the girls can look up to. These ladies have a ton of potential, but the game still comes down to putting the ball in the hole."
It took some more doing, but eventually I convinced Heather to help me out. If she could take on some offensive duties, I could focus on defense. And having an adult female around would help me keep my mind on the bouncing balls, not the bouncing bras.
As for focusing on defense, I might need to do that at home, too, if some young punk was going to be hitting on my daughter.
I know I sound overprotective. And I'm not some prude that thinks she should be a virgin until she's 25 and married, but there are just so many pitfalls in life.
I think about that first day at college orientation when the dean threw out that old line.
"Look to your left and look to your right. One of these people will not be with you at graduation."
It sounded laughable at the time. We were going to get degrees and live the dream.
Then things started happening to our friends. One of them dropped out after his dad was caught by the IRS for cheating on his taxes. Bye bye, college savings.
A girl got knocked up, and wasn't even sure who the father was after a drunken orgy. She left school and moved back in with her parents.
And then there was the case of Tommy Jones. Tommy was an offensive lineman on our high school football team and earned a scholarship to college. He was no dumb jock, making the National Honor Society and talking about becoming an engineer.
Then Tommy met a fellow freshman and tumbled head over heels in love.
They were inseparable and seemed so happy together.
Then one day the girl decided that Tommy was getting way too serious, and she was still young and wanted to experience more of the college dating scene.
If I thought he fell hard in love, Tommy fell way harder out of love.
He began hunting up every party on campus, getting stinking drunk night after night. He stopped going to classes, was kicked off the team and had his scholarship revoked.
Was this an extreme example? Sure, but if it could happen to a levelheaded guy like Tommy, then it could happen to anyone.
Paige's birthday landed on a Thursday, so we held the party on Saturday.
And much to my chagrin, the house even more packed than Halloween. Only this time I couldn't hide out in the backyard because there were boys present.
Considering how hot Paige's teammates are, I took comfort in knowing that there were plenty of girls for the boys to look at instead of my daughter.
Still, it didn't take long to find one boy who couldn't keep his eyes off Paige. To make matters worse, I saw her glancing back at him from time to time.