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"He’s not married, is he?" Coach Andrews asks Casually

Too casually

I stare at him "Who? Tom?"

"Yeah," he says Suddenly I notice his cheeks are turning sort of…well, pinkish "I ay," I say I realize he’s a Division III college basketball coach and all But really, how dense can this guy be?

"I know," Coach Andrews says Now his cheeks are red "I ondering if he’s in a relationship with anyone"

I find"N-no…"

"Oh" The coach looks visibly relieved--even happy--to hear this news "Because I was thinking, you know, it’s harda new job and all Maybe he’d want to grab a beer sos Coach Andrews answers it "Andrews," he says "Oh, great Here, let rab a pen"

I sit there while Steven Andrews jots down Lindsay’s locker nu to understand what I think I’ve just learned Because unless I’ay

And seems to want to date s up the phone

"Here you go," he says, sliding the piece of paper he’s written toward o on down to the women’s locker room, and you’ll find it Number six twenty-five"

I take the paper, fold it, and slip it into my pocket in a sort of daze "Thanks," I say

"No probleain?"

"I…I…" I feel ht, Tom," he says "Tell hi out"

"Hang out," I echo "With you"

"Yeah" Coach Andrewsinsuddenly anxious, "Wait, was that totally inappropriate? Maybe I should just call hiht" The coach nods "You’re right I should I just felt like--well, you know You seem cool, and maybe you’d…but never mind"

This was, I decided, either the most elaborate attempt ever to draw suspicion away froay

Had Ki to look like it Especially when Steven Andrews leans forward and whispers, "Not to sound like a girl or anything, but…I totally have all your albums"

I blink at hi now"

"’Bye," he says happily

And I take my box and leave Fast