I blow my whistle signaling the girls to stop what they are doing.

"On the line ladies." I say and every single one of them scoff and groan under their breath. I just stand at half court smugly because I know exactly what they are going through.

"Suicides. Now make sure your hand touches the line or I'll stop you all and we will start over." I say and they all groan once again and I put the whistle back in my mouth. I blow it and they all take off running. I watch them to make sure they all touch the line. They know I'm not joking when it comes to this.

Once they get back I look at every single player I have this year. I have a few tall girls and some average heights. I think we're gonna be good this year.

"Again." I say and blow the whistle. I watch them all start again, making sure no one misses a line.

After the last girl crosses the line I let them have a breather just for a minute.

"This season I expect us to be great, no better than great. We are going to win this state championship. Every drop of sweat, blood, and tears will be shared together amongst you in this gym. Each girl beside you is not only your teammate but your sister. We are family and you never let family down, isn't that right?" I ask my girls with my hands on a basketball.

"Yes Coach." They all say in unison but I cup my ear pretending I can't hear them.

"Yes Coach!" They all yell and I nod my head.

"We're gonna do this until I feel like we've improved on our time understood?" I say as I point to the team manager who is sitting by the clock.

"Let's get to work ladies." I blow the whistle and they start again.

This goes on for a solid hour until I feel like I've conditioned them enough.

"Bring it in girls." I say and they all come jogging into the huddle.

"Go home, eat something healthy and get some good sleep tonight because we're gonna be back at this in the morning." I say and they all nod their heads in understanding.

"Devils on three." I say and I let our seniors lead us in the chant.

Once we do our chant, I watch them all head into the locker room to change and grab their things. I head into my office and sit down in my chair. I look over our schedule for the season and I know we have a really good chance at winning this whole thing. It just will come down to who we play for the final.

I look down at my hand, seeing my own state championship ring. I led my team to a state title when I was a senior in high school. I grew up a couple towns over. After I graduated I went off to play college ball at Duke and ended up blowing my knee out my senior year ruining my chances at going into the WNBA. I got offered a coaching job running into the schools athletic director at my physical therapy place that I continued to go to over the years. I'd help young athletes who were struggling with their injuries.

So that's how I ended up here.

I grab my sweatshirt and pull it over my head as I grab my wallet, keys and cellphone. I then lock up my office and make my way out of the school and get into my SUV.

Once I pull up to my place I sigh as I enter the empty house. This isn't how I pictured my life turning out to be. I thought at this point I'd have a wife and maybe a kid by now. But I could have had it all, if things turned out differently.

Flashback

"Baby, what does it say!" My girlfriend of four years asks me and I can't contain the smile on my face.

"I got in. I got a full ride to play basketball at Duke!" I yell jumping up in excitement and my girlfriend jumps on me wrapping her legs around my waist. She smashes her lips into mine and I can't help but groan and kiss her back.

Somehow we ended up between the sheets and making love that night. It was the best sex we've ever had and my mind was blown.

I woke up the next morning to see a note that she had to leave because her father called her. But she said to meet her at church since we go together every Sunday. I never used to go to church until she came into my life. She's changed me for the better and I love her so damn much. I can't picture a life without her.

I get a shower and get ready for church. I pull on my boxers and dress pants along with my sports bra and button down shirt. I tuck it in and make myself look presentable.

I get to the church and see my girlfriend sitting with her father and little sister. We make eye contact and I smile at her but she doesn't smile back. I'm confused and I take a seat in the back since there was no longer a seat for me next to her.

After church I met her in the parking lot and she looked at me with sad eyes.

"Babe, what's wrong?" I ask trying to caress her cheek with my hand but she pulls away.

"We're moving." She says and I feel my heart drop at that.

"What?" I say but it comes out more like a whisper.

Tears start to run down her cheeks and I know she's serious.

"My dads moving us to Texas and he says I have to come with them." She says through a sob. I pull her into my chest as I wrap my arms around her trying to console her.

"It's gonna be okay baby. We will make this work." I say running my hand through her hair. I feel her tears soak my shirt and I can't help but feel my throat tighten knowing she's being taken away from me.

Time Skip.

I'm on my way to Texas to see my girl. My parents gave me the money to go and see her before I start college.

Once I get there I pull up to her address and walk up to the front door and knock on it. Her father answers and he looks surprised to see me, but a smug grin appears on his face.

"Y/N, Meagan isn't here right now." He says and I look at him confused and he leans on the door frame still smiling.

"She's on a date, with a boy. Who she should really be with." He says and I feel my chest tighten.

I'm speechless as I stand their and run a hand through my hair. I thought everything between us was fine. I just talked to her yesterday.

"She's at the restaurant in town if you want to see for yourself." He says patting me on the shoulder and shutting the door.

I get into my car and drive to the restaurant in town. I pull up and get out of my car and walk to the door. But before I do I walk by the window and see her sitting with a guy. My heart stops as I see the two of them smiling and laughing as they eat dinner together.

She doesn't even notice me standing in the window and I leave. She looks happy without me and she's moved on fast. It's only been three weeks since she left. I get into my car and head back home not looking back. She tries to contact me every day for weeks but I don't answer. I graduate and go off to college not looking back.

Back to Present Time

I wonder what would have happened if I answered her, let her explain to me what happened. I tried to move on after her but I couldn't. Every girl I was with I always compared to her so it ended badly.

I wonder how she is now, what she's doing with her life and is she happy.

I sigh as I enter my bathroom and shower. Once I'm finished I pull on a pair of boxers along with a sports bra. I then crawl in my bed as I let the sleep take over.

Time jump

Over the basketball season my girls worked their asses off. We're currently undefeated and heading to the state tournament and you won't believe who we are playing tonight. My old high school team is our opponent for the state championship. I decided not to scout out the other team this year, because I trust in my team and know we will pull out on top.

When we enter the gym and I marvel at the sight. It brings back so many memories playing here myself. But it also reminds me of her, cheering for me in this gym as I made my dreams come true.

I shake those thoughts away as I lead my girls to our locker room and I pat each and everyone of them on the shoulder as they pass me.

"Ladies I want you to have your shoes on and be out there shooting in 10 minutes." I say as I exit the locker room. I make my way to where my team is suppose to be sitting. I place my bag and clip board down as I feel myself start to get worked up. I adjust the tie on my neck as I start to relax. I dressed up today, so I'm not in my normal jumpsuit that I coach in. I'm wearing my dress pants, dress shirt tucked in my pants along with a tie. The tight shirt shows off my defined muscles through the fabric. Even though I'm not playing ball anymore I'm still in good shape.

I walk out to center court as I pick up a ball and hold it in my hands. I'm drawn out of my thoughts as my girls start to come out of the locker room to shoot around. I dribble the ball to the three point line and shoot the ball watching it rotate in the air as it swishes through the net. I still got it. I smile brightly and pat my girls on the shoulders as I make my way back to my bench.

I'm currently talking with my assistant coach when I spot the other team come out. The team looks pretty even with mine height wise. I watch them shoot around, until my eyes lock with one certain girls shot. The way she moves and shoots the ball is a spitting replica of how I used to play. I feel my breath catch when she turns around and I get a sight of her face. There's no way, I think as I zone out staring at this young girl. I start doing the math in my head and I realize she has to be mine.

"Y/LN!" My assistant yells getting in my face and I realize it's time for us to talk with the opposing coaches and referees.

I shake it off as I put a smile on my face as I approach their coaches. We shake hands and listen to the referees talk to us and we nod our heads understanding. Once we're finished we shake their hands again. I walk back to my bench. I feel like there's someone watching me but I know there's hundreds of people watching me right now.

"Girls bring it in." I yell and my team comes in and we form a huddle.

The horn sounds and I know it's almost time. My girls huddle around me as they look at me waiting for my next move.

"This is it. This is what you guys have been busting your ass all season for. Your here, and now it's time for you to either fight or fall. Remember what I told you at the beginning of the season. We are a family, play for each other, but play for yourself too. Let's do this." I say and the captains lead us in chant.

They then announce the starting five for both teams. They do our team first and my girls stand in front of me watching the other team be introduced.

They get through most of the lineup until there's one girl left.

"Starting at shooting guard, standing at 5'7, number 13, freshman Skylar Good." The announcer says and I feel my chest tighten at the sight of the girl. She looks just like her mother. I watch her smile and I feel my breath catch. She greets her team at their huddle and they cheer as they pull her in. My girls snap me out of my trance as I wrap my arms around two of my starting five as we form a circle together.

I smile so big as I look at them, I couldn't be prouder.

"It all starts with you guys. You set the tempo, you set the pace of the game. You guys are starting us off. So go out their and do your thing, I know you will make us proud." I say putting them on the back. They all give me a fist bump as they make their way onto the court.

I watch them walk to center court as they line up for tip off. That's when we make eye contact. She may look like her mother in every aspect, but she has my eyes. The whistle sounds causing her to look away and watch the ball be tipped to her.

The game is back and forth the entire time. Skylar is a hell of a ball player. She's leading her team and I can't help but notice she plays exactly like I did.

We're down to the fourth quarter and it's the last minute. The game is tied and it's their ball. They let Skylar bring it up the floor, their gonna let her do this. I watch my girls get in position to play their best defense. It comes down to the last few seconds on the clock and everyone in this gym is on their feet.

And it's like I'm watching my championship game my senior year. She pulls the same move that I did making her defender fall back and she does a pull up jumper behind the three point line. I watch the ball leave her hand and it's as if everything's in slow motion. The ball swishes through the net and the horn sounds. The game is over and we lost.

The opposing team surrounds Skylar and hoists her up on their shoulders. I look to my girls and see them devastated at this loss. Their heads hung low and I pull them in a huddle for one last time.

"You have nothing to be ashamed or sad about. You all played your hearts out today and I couldn't be prouder of you. From coming from a 0-18 record we rebuilt what our school is about. You girls made history for your school tonight. So keep yours heads up." I say and they all nod their heads as they hold them high. The girl who was guarding Skylar still has her head down. She's my best defender on my team and is a captain. I pull her close to me as I drape my arm over her shoulder.

"Taylor, look at me." I say softly and she raises her head up.

"You did everything you could. No one on this team holds you accountable for our loss. This was a team effort. You played your ass off tonight, and I couldn't be prouder of you. You have a full ride to Duke after this. Yes we didn't win, but you brought this team back with your leadership. Keep your head up because big things are coming your way." I say and she nods her head wiping the last tears. I then leave her side letting her teammates help pick her up.

I look around the gym as I spot the opposing coach and I go to shake his hand. I congratulate him and leave them to it. My team gets our runner up trophy along with the medals. I smile and hold up the trophy to where our fans were all sitting.

I let the girls all go to the locker room to change and gather their things. I feel bad because my girls didn't win, but I can't help but feel proud of Skylar and my old high school.

I see the girls on the team disperse to their parents. I watch Skylar as she walks through the crowd until she meets her. My breath hitches in my throat at the sight of her. She's still just as beautiful as I remembered. I see them both smile so big as they hug one another. Meagan kisses her head as she holds her close. Skylar shows her mother her medal and the piece of net that they cut down.

I can't help but feel my heart break at the sight. I should be celebrating with them. But I'm not because she chose to not involve me in our daughter's life. I hang my head low as I turn around to grab my things. I pull on my coat as I start to make my way out of the gymnasium.

I get into my SUV and head home. The ride is quiet as I have the radio turned off. I just think about everything as I drive home. Why didn't she tell me about her? I'm upset but I'm angry as well. I soon arrive home and enter my house and pull off my tie. I head straight for the fridge and pull out a beer. I head into the living room and turn on a game. An hour later I hear a knock on my door. I groan as I get up because I wasn't expecting anyone to stop by. I open the door and see someone I wasn't expecting to see.

I just walk away from the door, leaving it open. I think she takes the hint and follows me inside as she shuts the door. I sit back down and grab my beer as I take a swig. I can see her out of the corner of my eye watching me as she looks around the place. But then her eyes land on the picture beside me. It was of her and I after my championship game.

"Why are you here?" I say as I don't make any eye contact with her.

She walks around my couch to take a seat across from me. I don't bother looking at her as I continue to look at the game playing on the tv.

"Y/N," she says but I cut her off.

"You kept her from me." I say looking at her with tears in my eyes.

"I didn't keep her from you Y/N, I tried to contact you." She says and I stand up angry now as I slam my beer on the table.

"Bullshit! You had 14 years to contact me Meagan. And you've kept her from me this whole time. Do you have any idea what it was like for me today seeing her?" I yell frustrated as tears stream down my face. She stands up now just as angry and were face to face.

"I did try Y/N! I tried to contact you but you wouldn't answer me. Do you have any idea what that was like for me? My girlfriend just vanishing and not talking to me anymore? I was pregnant and scared! If you left me without any explanation, what would stop you from leaving her!" She yells in my face and I start laughing as tears run down my cheeks.

"That's real bold coming from you." I say and she continues to stand there and glare at me.

"What are you talking about?" She says with her hands on her hips.

"I fucking saw you Meagan. I came to Texas to surprise you before I went off to Duke. I stopped by your house and your dad told me you were on a date. He told me where to find you and I went. I saw you with that guy and it broke me. Here I was driving all the way to surprise you because I loved you so damn much and wanted our relationship to work more than anything while you were cheating on me." I say as the tears continue to flow down my face. She stands in front of me with shock written across her face.

"I was devastated. The girl I've loved all of my life was doing the one thing she knew would break me completely. You knew how I felt about cheating after watching my mom suffer from my dad's infidelity over the years." I say stepping away from her and grabbing the beer as I chug it.

She hasn't moved since I told her that I saw them together. She's just looking at me with a sad face.

"So I'm sorry if I didn't want to answer your phone calls and texts. I couldn't bare to hear your voice because I knew I would crumble even more." I say sitting in my chair with my hands covering my face.

I try to calm my breathing as I feel all the emotions from over the years hit me like a truck. I can't stop the tears from flowing down my face as I try and sniffle them away.

It was quiet for awhile until I heard Meagan start talking. I lifted my head up to see her on the phone.

"Can you put my dad on?" She asks as she paces back and forth in my living room.

She hasn't noticed me watching her yet and she looks pissed. I have only ever seen her this mad one other time and that was when we were together in high school. Her best friend tried to seduce me and I told her and she went nuts on the girl. Let's just say her ex best friend needed a nose job by the time Meagan was done with her.

"What in the hell did you think you were doing?" She yells into the phone.

"Don't play dumb with me. I talked to her and she told me what you did." Meagan says running a hand through her hair. I'm assuming she told her father Skylar was playing my team tonight for the championship.