Decline

Determination filled me as I remembered who had brought me here, my feelings strengthening my resolve.

“I appreciate the offer Ellie, but this is a little…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. Inappropriate? Uncomfortable? Unwanted? I mean, Ellie was an attractive woman, but she wasn’t Kaylee. Once more, I cursed myself for being such a freak. Plenty of guys would kill to be in my spot, and I’d gladly swap a spot with any one of them. The good citizen inside me screamed and cursed at me for not doing my duty. Ellie was offering and I had no reason to turn her down.

No, that wasn’t true. I did have a reason to turn her down. The secret my father made me swear to never reveal to anyone as he showed me the results of my fertility test. My real fertility test. Double S. A unicorn, so to speak. One of the rare men ‘fortunate’ enough to have a sperm count equal to pre-virus levels. Well, technically, mine was actually slightly above pre-virus levels. A guaranteed end to whatever life I could have lived. Rank S men weren’t offered incentives to procreate or placed into breeding programs. They were cloistered. Scientists poked and prodded them, trying to unlock the secret of why they were unaffected by the lingering virus.

Of course, these guys lived like kings. Gourmet food. Endless entertainment. A sense of working to better the entire world. Endless women. Paradise really, so long as your definition of paradise didn’t extend beyond fortified walls of concrete and steel. Not to mention you every waking moment was monitored. Every action recorded and picked apart.

That was no way to live.

I didn’t know Ellie’s situation, but sleeping with her was out of the question. We’d have to use a condom, which would raise questions. Why was someone shooting blanks asking to use a condom? A guy with a D rank fertility asking to use a condom was a horrid insult to the woman. So if we didn’t use one, and she got pregnant, the mandatory DNA test would reveal a D ranked man miraculously fathered a child. That would get people asking questions. Dangerous questions.

All that aside, it didn’t even touch on the number one problem. Ellie wasn’t Kaylee.

“Not much into the public thing? That’s cool. We can head a couple’s room.”

“Couple’s room?” a new voice called out. This was different than the others. Mature, and full of authority. Without thinking, my eyes fell from the spot they were burning in the ceiling. An older woman was standing at the opposite side of the room. One hand was on her hip, the other holding a clipboard against her chest. I recognized Mrs. Hardy immediately. “Ellie, I did not just hear you conspiring to skip the first half of practice to go gallivanting around with this young gentleman.”

“No way coach! You clearly misheard. That was an offer for later.”

“Uh-huh. Come on ladies. I don’t have all day.” Mrs. Hardy paused, giving me a firm look. “Mr. Hoffman, why are you in the female locker room?”

Her calling me out brought a fresh wave of heat to my cheeks.

“I invited him,” Kaylee said, coming to my aid. Her tone suggested it wasn’t nearly the big deal I was making it out to be. I glanced her way and felt a tightness around my chest. She had changed into a sports bra. My eyes lingered on the exposed alabaster skin of her back and lower neck. She had let her hair down for the moment, the blond and teal hovering just above her shoulders.

Mrs. Hardy scowled. “I thought I made myself clear when I said no more sex in the locker room.”

“Coach, you really think he’s in here for that?” Zoe said.

The coach gave me a second look. “He certainly doesn’t seem like you girls’ usual type, but it’s hard to say with you all. Your tastes seem to change with the seasons.”

Zoe glanced my way, giving a smug grin. “He’s Kaylee’s pet.”

“Zoe!” Kaylee gasped.

“What? It’s true. He follows you around like a little puppy. It’s cute.”

“Maybe he’s more like a team pet? I mean, he’s been to just about every game,” Abby said.

“Our biggest fan!” Ellie added.

Kaylee gave me an apologetic glance.

The older woman just sighed, as if she was hearing something repetitive one too many times. “Just remember what I said about sex in the locker room. I’m serious Kaylee.”

“Yes coach. You have nothing to worry about.”

That stung a little, even if it was expected.

There was a slight pause as everyone went quiet and still. “Well? What are you waiting for ladies?” Mrs. Hardy said, pounding on her clipboard. “Let’s hustle! I want you all on the court in two!”

The teens moved as if the room was on fire. Kaylee shot me a small smile before rushing out after her teammates.

“Mr. Hoffman, a word?” Mrs. Hardy said as I tried to follow them. Feeling the tension in my shoulders, I slowed as I approached her. It was hard to get a read, her face stoic. Even if I was taller than her, she was still able to give me the feeling she was looking down on me.

“Yes, Mrs. Hardy?” I asked, feeling more than a little intimidated by her steady stare.

“You’re a good kid, Mr. Hoffman, so I know I’ll only need to tell you this once and not have any trouble. The girls have a real chance at the championship this year. If you’re going to be the team toy this season, I need you to keep the drama to a minimum.”

I blinked a few times, trying to comprehend what she was saying. “Um… Okay?” When in doubt, just go along with it.

“Follow me,” she said. She led me out of the locker room. The girls were already warming up on the court. My eyes immediately went to Kaylee. She was off to the side, hair tie in her mouth as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. My attention back on Mrs. Hardy, she led me out of the gym into the side hall before we entered her office. I stood awkwardly at the door as she dug through her files. “Now where… Ah. Here it is.”

She handed me a paper. My eyes skimmed over it. A permission slip.

“I know you’re eighteen, but you are still a student so I need your parent’s permission.”

“Um… I’m sorry. Permission for what?”

“To ride the bus with the team to games and events.”

That surprised me.

“Oh, you need to sign this too. I know it seems redundant, but it’s school policy.”

I glanced over the second paper and felt my face flush. It was a consent form.

“Just put anything on it that makes you uncomfortable or is off-limits and give it back. I’ll have the girls sign copies and keep them here.”