I could see how that would make good news. Cameron Caldani had never gained celebrity status in the States, but I knew well how something like this could be turned around.
“Also,” Josie continued, “besides the Vasquezes, I really am the only one who cares about soccer around here.” A puff of air left her lips, falling quiet for a moment until she sent me a secretive glance. “I was engaged to someone in the MLS once. That’s how Cam and I met.” Her lips pursed with a flash of emotion I didn’t catch. “He witnessed the whole thing go up in flames.”
I turned away slightly, my eyes drifting toward the group again. I wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, but that was a lot of personal information Josie kept volunteering. And I was a complete stranger.
“Oh, don’t worry, honey,” Josie said, misinterpreting my silence. “I’m okay now. It wasn’t my only failed shot at love, either. But that’s a story for another day.”
“I’m glad you’re okay,” I ventured, racking my brain for something sensitive or friendly to say. “I…” God, I was so bad at these types of interactions. “I don’t date in the MLS, either?” I offered, causing Josie’s brows arch. “Most players are more work than they’re worth and, well, last time I got involved with someone remotely related to the world, he—This is TMI. I—”
A blue-and-white ice pack was thrust in front of me, saving me from babbling something I’d regret.
I looked down at the small hands offering it. “Thanks,” I said, snatching the pad from the kid’s grasp and placing it against my forehead. It immediately stung.
“You’re welcome,” a brown-eyed kid said with a toothy smile. “I’m María Vasquez. When is your birthday? I need date, time, and exact place.”
I heard Josie’s snicker. “María, what have we talked about going around asking people’s ages?” She patted the kid on the shoulder. “This is Adalyn, she’s coming from… Miami, right?” I gave her a nod. “And she will be helping with the team.”
“Helping is a simplification,” I countered. “I will—”
“Are you the one who booted Mr. Cam’s ass?”
“María,” Josie warned again.
She rolled her eyes. “Sorry, I meant Mr. Cam’s butt. He called it a bum the other day. He doesn’t speak much but he uses funny words sometimes. I think he’s a Taurus. And I don’t trust Taurus men. What zodiac sign are you, Miss Adalyn?”
“Hmm, Virgo? But—”
“Exciting! Are you our new coach?” She shot a look at me, giving me a once-over. Her eyes found my feet. “Are you going to coach us in those?”
I glanced down at my heels. “I’m not—”
“Oh my God!” she squealed, the ponytails atop her head moving with the three words. “You look like Vanessa Hudgens in The Princess Switch. Are you doing a makeover of the team?” She turned around. “Guys, come here! We have a new coach!”
“I…” My lips bobbed. “What?”
The rest of the kids looked over at us, but none of them seemed anywhere near as excited as María. In fact, even in the distance, a couple of them looked… a little scared of me. One of them even grumbled, “She doesn’t look like a princess.”
“Can’t Coach Cam continue to coach us?” someone else said.
“I’d rather have Grandpa Moe, honestly. He lets us play games most of practice.”
“I also want Coach Cam. Why did she scare him away?”
My jaw fell to the floor at that last comment.
Josie linked her arm with mine.
“Welcome to the Green Warriors, Adalyn,” she said in a cheery voice that didn’t match the tone of the girls’ debate. “I’ll show you around town when we wrap up practice. There’s not much to see besides a few shops on Main Street and the Vasquez farm, which is a few miles south, but you’ve made an important acquaintance: me.” She grinned. “And that piece of red velvet is up for grabs if you want it.”
The confirmation that Green Oak was that small of a town wasn’t exactly uplifting, but Josie was nice. And I wasn’t used to people welcoming me with open arms. As much as I’d led a privileged life with hundreds of opportunities that had allowed me to peek into all kinds of social circles, I’d always kept to myself. It wasn’t easy for me to click with people, or perhaps it was me making it hard. Either way, the truth was that, besides Matthew, I didn’t have many people I considered friends.