The Coaches Daughter || Callum Turner

Chapter 5

Jade

I blinked awake, the morning light trickling through the blinds as my head pounded, reminding me just how much I'd had to drink last night. I stretched, smiling a little at the memories from the party. The music, my friends, the laughter... it had been exactly what I needed after moving back in and settling into my new place.

But then the smile slipped away as the other memory crept in, uninvited. My dad. His affair. My stomach twisted, and the high from last night quickly faded. No amount of fun could block out what I'd discovered.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I already knew who it would be. Sure enough, there was a text from him: How was your first week back? It was like he didn't have a single clue what he'd done. No remorse. Just a friendly text from Dad checking in on his little girl.

I stared at it for a second, a dozen snappy replies flashing through my mind. But in the end, I just typed back a quick, Good, and left it at that. I didn't want to talk to him right now, didn't know how to without saying something I'd regret.

I tossed my phone aside and sighed, the party memories fading completely now. I needed something to lift me out of this mood, something to distract me before I spiraled into it again. I picked up my phone and texted Maggie my long time friends who I basically told every thing instead,

Lunch today?

__

The café was buzzing when I met up with Maggie. She was already at a small table by the window, waving me over with a huge grin and an iced coffee in her hand.

"Hey, girl! You look... surprisingly alive for someone who was partying hard last night," she teased as I slid into the seat across from her.

"Thanks, I think." I managed a laugh, though my mind was only half here. We started chatting, catching up on the gossip, our classes, and the usual stuff. But I could feel this weight on my chest, getting heavier with every word. I hadn't told anyone what I'd found out about my dad, and it was eating me alive.

After a while, Maggie gave me a long look. "Okay, spill. I know something's up."

I took a deep breath, glancing out the window, trying to find the words. "Mags... I found out something about my dad," I started slowly, feeling my throat tighten just saying it.

She leaned in, concern written all over her face. "What happened?"

I stared down at my coffee, the memory hitting me again. "I... I caught him cheating on my mom," I said quietly, barely above a whisper.

Her eyes went wide. "Jade... oh my god."

"I saw him with her, this professor from campus." My voice felt small, shaky. "I haven't told anyone, and I can't even look at him. I don't know what to do."

Maggie reached across the table, squeezing my hand. "Have you... I mean, does your mom know?"

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "And I can't bring myself to tell her. I haven't even confronted him. It's like... if I don't say anything, maybe it'll go away. But I know it won't."

Maggie's expression softened, her grip on my hand tightening. "I'm so sorry, Jade. That's... a lot to keep inside. I wish I knew what to say."

I nodded, my chest feeling a little lighter just from saying it out loud. "I just... I thought he was different. He's always been my hero, you know? And now... it's like I don't even know who he is."

We sat in silence for a moment, just letting the weight of it sink in. Finally, Maggie sighed. "Look, whatever you decide to do, just know I'm here. You don't have to go through this alone."

A small smile crept onto my face. "Thanks, Mags. I needed that."

Maggie took a sip of her drink, studying me for a moment. "So... were you able to have a good time at the party last night? I mean, after finding out about your dad?"

I blinked, realizing I hadn't even thought about the party since I woke up. I knew I'd had fun, but the details felt fuzzy, like pieces scattered in my memory that I hadn't put together yet. Then it hit me, like a jolt—I remembered making out with Garrison Gray.

Holy shit.

How had I completely forgotten that?

My cheeks flushed as the memory started piecing together. Garrison Gray, of all people. He was one of the best players on my dad's team, practically a legend in the lacrosse world here, and of course, I'd known exactly who he was. But he had no idea who I was, which was embarrassing but also, honestly, a huge relief. And last night, I'd just gone for it—made out with him like some impulsive, wild version of myself, all in the heat of the moment.

Maggie watched me, her eyebrows knitting together. "What? Did something happen?"

I tried to play it cool, but I could feel my face heating up. "I... I can't believe I forgot this, but... I made out with one of the lacrosse players last night."

Maggie's eyes widened. "Oh shit, are you serious? You always steer clear of those guys."

"Yeah," I muttered, half-laughing at the absurdity of it. "But I think I was in, like, revenge mode or something. I was a little drunk, and... I don't know, it just happened. We just made out, that's all. And he didn't even know who I was. Which, thank God."

"Garrison Gray," I added, saying his name out loud, still processing.

Maggie's jaw dropped, and she leaned forward, eyes wide. "Garrison Gray? Are you actually serious right now? You made out with Garrison Gray?"

I tried to laugh it off, but I could feel my cheeks heating up. "Yeah... I just kind of went for it, honestly. I was in his room, and we were making out, and then... I don't know. I didn't want it to go any further, and I didn't know what to do next, so... I just... left."

Maggie's mouth fell open even further. "You left? You just left Garrison Gray in his room?"

I nodded, trying not to laugh at her face. "Yeah. I kind of just walked out."

"Jade!" she squealed, half-laughing, half-shocked. "You do realize he's, like, every girl's dream guy around here, right? He could literally have anyone, and you just left him there?"

"Well... I wasn't about to stick around and let it turn into something complicated," I muttered, shrugging. "And besides, he doesn't even know who I am. He has no idea I'm his coaches daughter.

Maggie shook her head, still stunned. "Wow. I don't know if I should be impressed or terrified for you right now."