Hard To Love (Professor / Student)

First Scrimmage

Mark POV

It has been a few weeks since that night. Vanessa and I have been crazy busy in our own ways. The only time I get to see her is at practice. It's been tough watching her just moving in the motions. It's obvious she is putting on a front, but it seems everyone around her is falling for it. I, on the other hand, see right through the act.

Our first scrimmage is tomorrow and all eyes are on the new coaching staff. The girls are great. They play well together and are all very talented. All of us on this staff are new to the team. Belton will be in attendance, but not as a coach, rather a director. But the new role suits him perfectly, so I am happy for him.

The team walks into the gym for practice and Rachel is the first on the court. It's her senior year and she has a ton to prove. She is without a doubt beyond dedicated to this team and is the teammate everyone relies on. Vanessa and one of the new freshmen walk in right behind her. The freshman, who's name I learned is Riley, have become two peas in a pod. Riley says something to Vanessa and she smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes.

The rest of the team follow into the gym shortly thereafter and practice begins. Practice is light and the girls scrimmage for the last hour or so. Vanessa takes the ball up the court and calls one of the new plays. Rachel sets a screen and rolls to the basket, earning an easy layup. This leaves the defense in shock and confusion. Before in-bounding the ball, Rachel stops the game and her and Vanessa explain where the defense went wrong.

"Alright, let's start again." Rachel says and passes the ball back to Ness. "When she calls the play, you have to read the rest of the offense. The one setting the screen is pretty much there to distract from what's going on under the basket." She explains and the new girls nod their heads.

"Try again." She says and Ness calls the play. After Rachel sets the screen and rolls, she is immediately defended by the power forward on the defense. This forces Vanessa to pass to her left and break toward the far corner. The defense does a phenomenal job this time, but it doesn't stop Vanessa from getting the ball and releasing it from the three point line.

I blow my whistle and bring the girls in. "Yes ladies! That's the way to play. If you do that tomorrow, you are going to blow the Hawks away."

Practice ends and before I can get a minute, Vanessa and Rachel get in her car and speed away. I head up to my office to catch up on some paperwork. There's a knock on the door and Belton helps himself in.

"Mark, the team is looking great." He says and takes a seat on the couch.

"Thanks, Walt. It still feels weird."

"Oh don't worry about it. I will always miss coaching, but maybe it was time to step back. The Mrs. is happy, that's for sure." He says with a wink and I shake my head.

"Way too much information." He starts laughing and kicks his feet onto the coffee table.

"How are you and Vanessa handling this change?"

Walt and I haven't really talked much about my relationship since that night.

"We are fine." I say, not looking up from my paperwork.

"Mark." He warns and I shake my head. "If it's too much, I can have someone fill in for you."

"No it's not that." I say, letting out a deep breath and leaning back in my chair. "We told her parents about us a few weeks ago and it didn't go as smoothly as I thought it was going to."

Walt laughs a bit. "You mean to tell me her parents did not love the idea of their daughter dating her professor? Geez Mark, I could have told you that."