Read Online Just to See You Smile by Sally John - Free Book Online

to a sitting position. “I don’t get much company in here at 5:30.”
    â€œCompany. Is that what you would call a spotter?”
    The “General” was reminding her that it was against the rules to lift alone. When students weren’t around, she did it all the time. “If you give me a detention, I’ll give you one.”
    He smiled briefly. “Touché, Miss O. I don’t have a spotter either.”
    â€œThe kids would have a field day with this one.” She exhaled noisily. Her heartbeat was slowing to normal.
    â€œNo doubt about that. I can see the headline in the Viking Views, ‘Coach and Principal Break Rules.’” He went over to a mat and, hands on hips, began stretching. The man evidently knew his way around a workout. His white T-shirt revealed well-toned biceps and shoulders.
    â€œWhat are you doing here anyway?” she asked.
    His quick laugh resembled a shallow cough. “You do speak your mind.”
    â€œSo I’ve been told.” She remembered Anne’s caution to lighten her tone, an echo of her mother’s lifelong advice. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful.” She grinned. “Just outspoken.”
    â€œI’d say you’ve met that goal with flying colors.” His warm-up pants rustled as he sat down on the mat and stretched out a leg. “Normally I work out at the Community Center. The school seems a more convenient place.”
    â€œThe girls will be here at 6:30.”
    â€œYes, Miss O. I’m well aware of that.” There was amusement in his tone.
    She bet he knew every detail of the schedule for the entire season.
    â€œI’ll be out of here by 6:15.”
    Britte slid from the bench and headed to the door. Music from the CD still played softly, but her little taste of heaven had soured. She would shower before the girls came in and gather papers to grade while she supervised their lifting. “Oh.” She turned back. “Mr. Kinglsey. About the varsity girls going to State.”
    â€œState?” He was breathing deeply, rhythmically.
    She bit back words on the tip of her tongue. This wasn’t the time to be outspoken. So what if they’d already had this conversation? He was new here. Routine business was still unfamiliar to him. “The state tournament in February. We always attend as a team. Not to play, of course, but to watch. The school board needs to approve the trip. It’s just a formality, but the request has to come from you at this month’s meeting.”
    â€œBetter write me a memo. Put it in my box.”
    â€œSure.” She flicked the volume control up and hurried out the door, closing it against words that threatened to fly off her tongue. Words that were most definitely not respectful.
    Walking down the hall toward the locker room, she replayed scenes she had witnessed in recent months. The male coaches of the boys teams asked him detailed requests at lunch, at football pep assemblies, in the hallways, in the parking lot, in the midst of other people and conversations. They weren’t brushed off with “better write me a memo” replies.
    True, the prejudice wasn’t what it was when she was in high school 12 years ago, but it was still there. For all his propriety, Mr. Kingsley couldn’t hide what he really thought. Girls sports weren’t worthy of his full attention. If she weren’t careful, she could someday easily call him on it.
    Of course if she did, she’d be able to figure out the color of his eyes then because, without a doubt, at the moment of calling him on his attitude, she would be in his face.

    Joel’s smile turned into a grimace as he bench-pressed. Britte Olafsson never would have made it in the Marine Corps with that attitude.
    Physically she might be in shape. And, too, she appeared intensely disciplined as far as coaching and teaching went. Although she recognized when she was becoming