I had wanted on the university's soccer team in the worst way. It had been like selling my soul to the devil-but I'd been given time to decide not only to accept it, but also to anticipate it and look forward to it. And Coach had given me plenty of time to think about it, plenty of time to consider what a hunk he was and to rationalize why I would let him do what I knew he was building up to do. I hadn't been surprised yet, but, when I was honest with myself, I knew it would be coming. I shuddered just from the touch of him, just from knowing what he'd been working up to do with me for months. I was the last to exit, and the coach grabbed my arm, pulled me close, and whispered, 'You help Stefan win this one and I'll have a surprise for you,' in my ear before pushing me away, giving me that slap on the butt, but not before he squeezed one of my cheeks, and sending me on my way.
He stood next to the door out of the locker room, looking big and rugged and handsome, and gave each player a slap on the rump as they exited. We were playing our last soccer game before spring break-an away game-and Coach Jacoby had given the players that rousing 'We are this close to the conference championship make this one count' speech in the locker room before sending us out onto the field.
