"Coco, we're about to head to practice are you coming?" Dad asked before sitting next to me on the couch. I paused my show and looked at him.

"I want to but I don't want to leave Bandit. He missed me too much for me just to leave again" I said as I pet his head.

"Bring him with us. Get his leash and frisbee and meet us in the car in five." He kissed my cheek and walked off.

I looked over at Bandit and his ice blue eyes looked up at me as he tilted his head.

"Wanna go for a ride, Bandy?" I asked him in a puppy voice.

He was up and running to the door the second I said ride. He loved to go for rides and walks. I laughed and went to my room to get his things and some shoes on. My hair was still braided from yesterday. Even though it was really messy I decided to just leave it.

I walked down stairs and met the boys in the car. Carter was already sitting up front. I just hopped in the back without a fight. They turned the music on and we left. Bandit was sitting in my lap with his head out of the window.

We finally pulled up to the field and I already saw some of my friends from last year. A smile formed on my face as I happily got out of the car. Apparently Bandit was just as happy and bolted out of my hold on the field with the boys.

"Bandit!" I yelled as he jumped happily on everyone. "Get down!"

He nearly toppled over some freshmen. He stopped on someone I haven't seen before. He had fluffy brown hair and blue eyes. He jumped all around him. I got closer and grabbed his leash. "Sit" I ordered and he obeyed.

"I'm sorry. He's just a little excited." I told the kid. "I haven't seen you around before. Are you new?" I asked him.

"Yes, I'm the quarterback. I just moved in to town."

Quarterback? What did the boys say about the quarterback?

"Logan Bailey" he smiled and reached his hand out to me. I shook it. "I know I'm new, but I haven't seen you before. Do you normally come to practices, or just walking your dog?"

He didn't know who I was. With me coming back I'm surprised Dad hasn't threatened the entire team. "Yeah I'm normally here. I've just been out of town recently. Got back yesterday. I'm-"

"Coco!" Dad called.

"Coming!" I called back. "I gotta go, but see you later I guess" I waved and walked away. Bandit fell in step with me as I got to Dad.

"Yes?" I asked as we came up to him.

He handed me his credit card. "I need a drink run. Can you go get me a sprite? Riley's is fine. Get yourself something too, it's hot out today."

"Got you Dad" I said and turned and walked to the car. Then I realized he still had the keys.

I turned around the same time he called my name. I reached my hand up to catch the keys as he threw them at me. After that I ran to the car and got buckled and ready to leave.

Bandit sat in the passenger seat with his head stuck out the window. I rolled my window down and blasted music. I pulled into Riley's. I should only be in for a minute, so Bandit should be fine.

I turned off the car and left the windows open. I ordered a sprite and a big red and got it within a few minutes. I headed back out to the car and went back to the field.

The boys were huddled up when I pulled in. They probably just finished stretching and warm up.

I grabbed the drinks and walked up behind them. I caught many by surprise. I don't think half the team knew I was here. The freshmen had no idea who I was.

"Here you go" I handed Dad's sprite to him.

"Thank you Coco" He said and grabbed his drink. "For those of who don't know, this is my daughter Cora. Anyone thinking I won't catch them checking her out is sadly mistaken and you will run until you puke." He said.

The freshmen adverted their eyes from me completely except for one who kept his eyes on me. Logan grabbed his head and turned it towards my dad. I couldn't help but laugh lightly.

"You guys have fun, I'll be over there" I pointed to the open area on the other side of the stands. I high-fived Carter and hugged Dad before I ran away with Bandit.

I played with him for a while before I got hot and Bandit needed a water. By this time they were working on drills.

"No that's not how you do it!" Dad yelled at the group of guys. They looked like mainly freshmen and sophomores. I did notice Logan was in there too. It was probably a group of newbies.

"That definitely needs some work. Do you want me to show them how it's done?" I asked Dad.

He nodded and punched the bridge of his nose. "Please"

I walked up to the ladder and did the drill the way they were supposed to be doing it. I've been doing this drill since I was in diapers; I know how it's done.

I hit the dummy at the end and honestly was a little surprised on how much it moved. I haven't worked out in a while, other than some jogging a few times a week this summer.

The guys gawked at me and turned away as soon as Dad cleared his throat. They started the drill and didn't look like confused ballerinas this time around.

"Good jobs guys." Dad called out to them. "How are you?"

"Tired, hot, and sweaty, you?"

He laughed. "Same" a few seconds later he blew the whistle and called them in for a water break.

I walked over to the water bucket and got Bandit's water bowl that we brought from the car. I filled it with water and let him drink. I grabbed my big red and took some sips. Soda wasn't the best after running that drill, but it'll be okay.

"That was pretty good and shocking. I shouldn't expect any less from the coach's daughter" Logan complimented me.

"I grew up with three older brothers and a single dad, all of which loved football. It's in my blood" I shrugged.

To me, a simple drill wasn't that impressive, but being a girl and pushing that dummy harder than most girls, I can see how it would be impressive to him.

"Don't underestimate the power of women and you wouldn't be so shocked. We're stronger than we look"

"Trust me I do not underestimate women, you clearly haven't met my mom. I wasn't shocked, I was just impressed. Most teen girls wouldn't want to sweat much less do the same drills as the football boys."

I laughed. "I'm not like most girls,"

Dad blew the whistle signaling to huddle up. He waved slightly and went with the rest of the boys. I watched as Dad talked to them. I assumed they were learning their next drill. They have at least thirty minutes left in practice.

Bandit was panting next to me. I figured I'd take the keys and go sit in the air conditioner. It was almost five o'clock, meaning it was almost six in Indiana. Time for my call with Will. He was out of practice, showered and back from Coffee Connection.

I got in the car and started it. The cold air felt amazing against my warm skin and Bandit seemed to enjoy being out of the heat. I called Will and he answered after two rings.

"Hey mama" Christian's face filled the screen.

I furrowed my brows. "Where's Will?" I asked. He always answers my calls.

"Wow I guess I'm not even good enough for a hello" He teased with a look of feigned hurt on his face.

"I'm sorry. Hi Christian, where's Will?" I asked again.

"Bathroom, he should be out soon" He said. "How's home so far?" He asked.

I put a smile on my face. "Great, I got my boy back" I tilted the camera to where he could see Bandit. He looked over at me happily and kissed my face. I laughed and pushed him away to turn back to the camera. I could see Christian's smile on the other side.

"What kind of dog is he?" Christian asked me.

"We kind of rescued him, so we're not totally sure. The vet thinks he's a pitbull and husky, probably why the lady didn't want him back. We don't see the point in sending in a lab test. He'll be our dog no matter what."

He nodded. I heard the toilet flush and the bathroom door open a minute later.

"Bro, are you talking to my girl?" Will asked and grabbed his phone. His hair was wet and was shirtless. His everyday after shower outfit. Happiness bubbled inside me at him calling me his girl.

"Hey babe" I smiled at his cute face.

"Hey snowflake" He smiled at me. "How's everything at home?" He asked. His beautiful amber eyes looked at me expectantly.

I shrugged. "Good, I love being with my family. Everyone surprised me at Riley's last night. It was refreshing, I came to practice with the boys today, but that's pretty much all that has happened so far." I flipped the camera to show him the boys on the field.

"Wow are they doing any good?" He asked as I flipped the camera back to me.

"I've heard the guy that took your place, Logan Bailey, was really good. I haven't seen him play yet so I wouldn't know. The freshmen are so clueless, I had to show them how to do a drill I've been doing since I was in diapers."

Will nodded. "Maybe I could stop by and show them up during Thanksgiving"

I laughed at him. I know he missed his team, but he's having the time of his life at college with his new team and frat brothers. "Yeah maybe, but you're going to be awfully busy keeping your girlfriend company" I teased. "I would love to see you play. Too bad I can't come to your games, but I will be watching everything cheering you on every step of the way."

"Thanks babe" he smiled at me. Bandit barked at a bird flying close by. "You have Bandit with you?" He asked. I nodded and tilted the phone to Bandit.

"Bandy, your dad is on the phone" I said and showed him the phone. As if he understood me, he barked and wagged his tail happily. Will got to say hi to Bandit before Dad got in the car and he had to move to the back seat.

"Are you driving home?" Dad asked and looked at my phone in my hand, realizing I was talking to Will. "Oh hey Will" He waved. I handed him the phone for a second. "How's it going in Indiana? Is football good?"

"It's kicking my ass, but I love it. Most of the guys I play with are in my frat"

"That's good to hear son"

He said goodbye to Will and handed the phone back to me. I waited until Carter got to the car before I even tried to hang up on him. Carter would be pissed if he knew he didn't get to talk to him.

Carter finally came from the locker room with Logan in tow. Carter hopped in the back seat after he said goodbye to Logan, who was in the car next to us.

"Ay man what's up?" Will said and started their conversation. I let them talk as I drove home.