Fingertip Save: A Soccer Romance

By Ilana Lanir

Emma Fletcher, star of the Ohio State Women's Soccer team, is failing her courses. She is assigned a tutor, Nathan Widlanski, to help her. Nathan is geeky and has a mysterious past. He grew up in an ultra-orthodox sect in Brooklyn. Emma initially resists allowing him to help her but she eventually gives way to the attraction between them. But there is someone else who has his eye on Emma -- Cole Durbin, the star tight-end of the Buckeyes football team. He wants to have her and he's not about to let a nerdy tutor stand in his way. He's ready to use violence to get what he wants. Can Nathan and Emma make it work, despite the vast differences between them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667830094

Book preview

Chapter 1

Emma Fletcher sat in the professor’s booklined office, squirming uncomfortably, feeling incredibly small and embarrassed, wishing she were anywhere but here. Across the desk, oozing disapproval, was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, a balding, bespectacled gentleman. In the seat next to her was her soccer coach. Neither seemed any happier than she was to be having this conversation.

Emma’s freshman year at Ohio State University had not gone so well. Heavily recruited as a promising soccer player and the daughter of an international superstar, Emma had been great on the field, leading her team in goals and helping them to win their conference. Off the field, it had been a different story.

Unlike her step-sister Stacey, Emma had never been an academic type. Since her father, Damian Fletcher, had come into her life, she’d seen a possible and then probable future as an athlete. She’d inherited his soccer gifts and love of the game. Emma imagined playing professionally, possibly with one of the top European clubs, and helping Team USA win the World Cup. She’d already been invited to train with the national squad. But her parents insisted that she not only go to college but graduate before turning professional.

Why do I have to? she’d protested.

Because education makes you a more complete person and allows you to see the world in different ways, her mother Charlotte Heath had told her. Your father never had a chance to go to college and regretted it for years. You saw how hard he worked to get his degree later.

I could get mine later too, Emma argued.

Emma love, you have plenty of time to play soccer professionally. Go to college, learn, enjoy yourself. It’s not as if you won’t be playing at a high level. You can grow up, mature, improve and have so much fun as well, Damian told her.

With many colleges competing for her services, Emma had opted for Ohio State, the local school, while Stacey had gone to Yale. Emma liked having home comforts around the corner from her dorm room. She liked playing with her four-year-old brother Tom and babysitting for him. She also enjoyed hanging out and training with the women of the Columbus Nightingales, one of the two major league teams her parents owned and ran, which was coached by the legendary George Knightley. Knightley’s wife Teagan Callahan had just been appointed to coach the Lady Buckeyes soccer team. It was all very incestuous but these people were her extended family. Emma liked an easy life and she thought her professors at Ohio State would go easy on her too. She’d been wrong. Hence the meeting with the Dean.

Your academic performance has been nothing short of a disaster, said Dean Rockwell, a crusty gentleman dressed in tweeds who looked like a caricature of an academic and had little respect for athletes. Emma doubted he’d ever been anywhere near a soccer field.

I blame myself as much as you. We should have stepped in sooner, before things went so far downhill, said Teagan, herself a former star of Team USA with two World Cup medals to her name. Really Emma, what’s going on? You’re failing every course you signed up for. What have you been doing with yourself?

I guess I fell behind early and never caught up, said Emma, a bit ashamed she’d allowed things to reach this point. The truth was, when she wasn’t playing or training, Emma had been partying. After a fairly strict childhood, it was her first taste of freedom and she’d gulped it down, along with copious amounts of alcohol even though she was legally too young to drink. She’d forgotten she was also on campus to study. She’d been an OK student in high school, nothing special but more than capable of keeping up and getting decent grades. She hadn’t realized how much more effort was required at the college level. And perhaps, she’d also thought that as long as she was scoring goals and bringing victories to her team, her professors would take it easy on her and give her passing grades.

You need to understand; you have a scholarship to this school and a full ride because you’re a student athlete. That means you study as hard as you play, said the Dean. This is a university first and foremost, not a sports franchise that happens to dabble in education as a side activity.

Emma wondered about that. Given the mad popularity of sports on campus and the many millions of dollars it brought it, she thought many would disagree.

Unfortunately, as a result of your failing grades, you’ve lost your eligibility. As of now, you’re off the team, Teagan said reproachfully. That doesn’t just mean no games. It means you can’t train with us either. You can’t be in the sports facility. You’re banished until you get back on track and make things right.

No, you can’t do that, Emma burst out. What would her parents say when they heard? She found herself on the verge of tears. Never in a million years had she expected this.

Not only can we do it; we must do it, Teagan said. But the good news is, there’s a way back for you. The Dean has found a wonderful academic tutor to help you. His name is Nathan Widlanski. I’ve met him and he’s very smart. I think you’ll like him. He should be along shortly. Nathan will help you regain your eligibility. Once you do, you can rejoin the team, probably next semester if all goes well. Look at this as a wake up call and as an opportunity, not a disaster.

Nathan Widlanski -- the name was unfamiliar to Emma – but that was no surprise. There were tens of thousands of students on campus and she’d basically only met the women on the soccer team and other athletes with whom they hung out. She hadn’t made friends outside of that narrow circle. Heck, she’d barely been to class at all.

How will he help me? Emma asked.

Nathan has just graduated early with a double major in physics and English literature, said the Dean. He’s not only brilliant but he’s also the hardest worker I’ve ever seen. He’ll begin his doctorate in astrophysics in the fall. Meanwhile, he’s at a loose end until the of end this semester. Because of his special circumstances, we’d like to help him. This job will definitely do that.

He sounded like a boring nerd, Emma thought, but did not say. And the words special circumstances also seemed highly suspicious.

Teagan added, So the plan is that Nathan will shadow you to all your classes. He’ll sit next to you and basically take your courses alongside you. He’ll be able to explain anything you don’t understand. He’ll advise you with homework and make sure you do it on time. He’ll also help you get your notes in order, learn study skills and prepare for exams. For the next three months, Nathan is going to stick to you like a burr.

Emma was appalled. How would she live her life with a dull geek trotting behind her wherever she went like a stray dog looking for a master? What would it do for her image?

I’m not taking physics or English, she protested. He didn’t major in any of my courses. So how will he help?

The Dean smiled. Don’t worry about that. Nathan can handle any undergraduate class offered at this university and probably most graduate classes as well. Ah, that must be him.

The door opened. Emma turned around to see a slight, sallow young man enter. He was about her height, maybe half an inch taller, wearing a blazer frayed at the cuffs and a white shirt opened at the top button. His dark hair was messy and uncombed, flopping over his forehead. Emma noticed he had a small black skullcap on his head. He was carrying a battered satchel and his black dress shoes were badly scuffed. She could see he was a few years older than the typical undergrad, maybe 24 or 25. He was so skinny, he seemed almost fragile and his skin had the pallor of one who rarely got fresh air.

Emma, this is Nathan. Nathan, Emma, said Teagan.

Hi, Emma said carelessly. This situation sucked and would require careful handling but there was no point in alienating him right away, especially not with Coach Callahan and the Dean looking on. She stuck out her hand for him to shake. After a slight hesitation, he took it. His hand felt cool as it wrapped firmly around hers. He gave a tentative smile and looked straight into her eyes. Very good to meet you, he said.

Despite his diffidence, there was something about him – a quiet sense of a person who knew who he was. When he’d looked at her, Emma felt somehow he was seeing deep inside her, well beneath the surface. It wasn’t a great feeling. Emma wondered how he viewed her – slim, blond with her hair in a messy ponytail and obviously very physically fit. She knew she was pretty. People were always telling her so and boys had been crowding around her for several years. She only went out with the best-looking ones, usually fellow athletes. She’d had some half-drunken and not very successful sexual experiences with a couple of fellow athletes. In the social circles she inhabited, Emma was many spheres above someone like this Nathan. But nerds were known to hold athletes in contempt just as much as athletes looked down on geeks. They were different species with very different world views.

Emma had noticed that Nathan spoke with a slight foreign accent – or perhaps it wasn’t so much an accent as an intonation – the way he emphasized his words. With her father still speaking with a broad British accent, Emma was sensitive to such nuances.

Do you know Spanish? That’s one of the classes I’m taking, Emma asked him abruptly. Her father, who spoke the language fluently having played several seasons for Barcelona, had insisted she take it. He’d said it would come in useful since she was certain to play with and against many South American and Spanish players. It might even help her land a job in Madrid or Barcelona herself one day. That was enough to sell her on the idea and indeed, she’d quite liked the class on the few occasions that she’d put in an appearance. But it was held at nine in the morning, which was a problem after the kind of nights she’d been having.

No. I saw it was in your schedule. I started an online course today, he replied.

Emma giggled. This ought to be amusing, she thought. How was he supposed to help her pass a course in which he had zero knowledge?

Well, we’ll leave you two to get acquainted, said the Dean. Nathan already has your class schedule so you can work out your study hours between you.

Emma, Nathan and Teagan stood to leave. As they stepped into the corridor, Teagan pulled Emma aside. Give us a moment, she said to Nathan. Nodding, he walked several yards down the hall to allow them privacy.

Teagan took both of Emma’s hands and looked her straight in the eye. Listen carefully to what I’m going to tell you. Pay attention because it’s very important. OK?

She waited for a response. Emma nodded without committing herself to anything.

Teagan’s voice was low but serious. Don’t screw this up. Don’t try to evade it, don’t try to work around it. Work through it. You know me. I’m a soccer player first and foremost, just like you are. Soccer is your life. All your dreams revolve around the game. But I’m here to tell you that there’s more to life than soccer and you need to get educated.

Emma bit back the impulse to ask why it was important. She couldn’t see how literature or politics or math or history or any damn thing they taught here would aid her even a little in her chosen profession. It was all a waste of time. She knew that if she dropped out, she’d probably be picked up by a professional team the next day. She could start her real career, her real life, and be earning good money as well.

Teagan looked Emma straight in the eye. I know what you’re thinking. And you’re dead wrong. Eventually you’ll find out. But right now, for today, all you need to understand is that this young man is here to help you. He’ll be a great resource but only if you let him. I’ve spoken to him. He has quite a story. Give him a chance. Get to know him. You’re a fantastic soccer talent, Emma. You have a wonderful future ahead of you. Don’t screw it up.

How do you know what I’m thinking? Emma asked.

Because I know what I’d be thinking if I were in your situation. I’d be thinking, this sucks bigtime. How do I get out of it? You’re asking, why do I need this college stuff anyway?

Why do I need it?

I’m sure your parents have explained it to you.

"You’re my coach. Why don’t you explain it to me?

Teagan sighed. You need it because there’s a big world out there and there’s more to life than soccer. You need it to become a complete person, a complete human being. You know me; I won two World Cups for Team USA and a bunch of national titles here and in England. My husband is also a soccer coach. But we live in the world. Soccer is not our entire universe. Spending ten minutes with my George is an education in itself. Becoming a more complete person will help you with whatever lies ahead in your life. It will help you weather the ups and downs of your career and give you a life beyond soccer. Trust me on this. You have one semester to get back on track or you’re out. Understand?

Yeah, I get it, said Emma. Please don’t tell my parents.

I won’t. But you should. Good luck. Teagan left.

Emma looked down the corridor to where Nathan stood, leaning against a wall. He’d taken a thick, hardcover book out of his satchel and was reading intently. Great, not only a bookworm but an old-fashioned low-tech bookworm. Where the hell did he get those clothes? The thrift store? Emma had never seen a student dressed anything like this. He looked like an office worker who’d been locked in his cubicle for a month without the opportunity to change or shower. Teagan had said he had quite a story. Now Emma was curious.

She approached him. Shall we get out of here? Get a cup of coffee and figure out how we’re going to do this without you becoming a total ball and chain around me?

He nodded. Emma headed for the exit, Nathan trailing half a step behind.

Chapter 2

What will you have? Emma asked, figuring she might as well be friendly at least to start things off. Also, this boy – correction, this man – didn’t look as if he had two pennies to rub together.

Just a small black coffee, he said.

Cheap date, she remarked. He flinched just slightly. Clearly a sensitive spot.

She returned with his coffee and a mocha for herself and sat facing him. Well, I guess you know all about me so tell me something about you, she said. Instinctively, she looked around to see if anyone she knew from the team was around. Luckily, no-one was.

He seemed surprised. I don’t know anything about you except your name and the courses you’re taking, he replied. Are you looking for someone? You seem to be checking out the café.

She blushed and returned her attention to him. No, it’s fine. You really don’t know who I am?

Like I said, I know your name and your courses. That’s all. Why? Are you a movie star or a foreign princess or something?

You didn’t look me up on the Internet?

Why would I when we were meeting today anyway?

I always google people before I meet them. It gives me an edge knowing something about them. I’ll look you up when I get home.

You won’t find anything.

No pictures on Instagram? No high school reunions? No cute pets? No former girlfriends? No Facebook groups or silly videos?

Nothing. He took a sip of coffee.

How is that possible?

He didn’t answer for a moment. Then he asked, If I had done a search on you, what would I have found?

Me, I’m world famous, Emma said a bit sulkily.

And she was. It was all over the Internet, the whole story. How her mother had died of cancer when she was eleven. How her biological father, the English soccer star Damian Fletcher, who had not previously known of her existence, had come to America to look after her. How he’d signed to play for the Columbus Juggernauts soccer team and had fallen in love with its owner Charlotte Heath. How the two had married and adopted each other’s daughters and had had a son together. Heck, they’d even made a Hallmark movie out of it with slightly changed names and circumstances. Instead of soccer, the leads were basketball stars.

Emma had grown up in the spotlight. It was both a blessing and a curse. Of course, she loved and admired both of her parents and appreciated all they had done for her. Had Damian not shown up when he did, she would have probably wound up in foster care. And Charlotte had loved her like her own daughter. But it wasn’t easy meeting new people and knowing they already thought they knew her and everything about her. They didn’t see her, the real Emma. Most often, they saw the child star who had played her in the Hallmark movie. Probably, they were disappointed she wasn’t as pretty as a Hollywood actress. The fact that she was a gifted athlete herself had only added to the mystique, although her parents had done a good job of preserving their family’s privacy and living as normal a life as possible. But she often felt as if she were a character in a movie acting a role.

World famous for what? Nathan asked, his face serious.

Just look it up.

I’d rather you told me. This was refreshing – someone who apparently wanted to get to know her by actually getting to know her. But there wasn’t time now to rehash the whole history. The most important thing you need to know is that basically I’m here at college for one reason and one reason alone.

Which is what?

I’m here to play soccer of course.

Ah, he said.

You don’t like soccer?

I don’t know anything about it.

You never watch, not even on TV?

I’ve seen some but I don’t really get it.

You never played as a kid?

No. He took another sip and asked, So if all you want to do is play soccer, why are you at college at all?

My parents want me to get an education. They insisted. Plus I can develop my game here before I turn pro and hit the bigtime.

So people come to college to play games?

Emma bristled. Don’t pretend to be dumb. You’ve been here a while. You have to know how big Buckeye sports are. You’ve been here on game days. Heck, the whole city shuts down to party and goes wild when we win.

They play on Saturdays, don’t they?

Duh.

I don’t pay attention to the outside world on Saturdays.

Emma didn’t know what to make of this strange comment. But you do know that people come to college for a million different reasons that have nothing to do with academics, don’t you? Some come to do theater or music. Some come mainly to party and have a good time. Getting a degree is just icing on the cake. Soccer happens to be my reason. Soccer happens to be my life.

Ah, he said again.

Do you look down on athletes, think we’re all a bunch of dumb jocks? she asked, an edge in her voice.

I’ve never known an athlete before. You’re the first.

So what’s your story?

What do you want to know?

Where you’re from, what your family is like, what you’re passionate about. It looks like we’re going to be spending lots of time together since you’re my tutor.

He fixed her with his stare and she noticed for the first time his intense blue eyes. I’m from Brooklyn. I like studying. I guess you could call it my passion, although I’m not really sure what that means. That’s really all I want to tell you at this point. But you should know, I don’t consider myself your tutor. I think of us as study partners.

What’s the difference?

Big difference. We learn together as equals.

We’re not equals, she snapped.

We’re not the same. You have skills I could never dream of. I also have some skills that might help you. He finished the coffee. I see from your schedule that your courses are Introduction to American History, Politics 101, Economics 101 and intermediate Spanish. I’ll read the course outlines tonight and we can meet tomorrow at ten for the economics lecture. He stood to leave and turned toward her. It might be useful if you put together a list of all the assignments you’ve missed or are late on. Also, things that you don’t understand or that are bothering you. We’ll go over it after the lecture. Meanwhile, can I have your phone number and your email?

She pulled out her iPhone to text it to him. He extracted an old-fashioned flip-phone from his jacket pocket. Don’t text me. Just tell me. I’ll put it in. She did so and he slowly and painfully entered the numbers. The phone was like a museum piece. Who still used such ancient devices?

Why are you using that old thing? Emma asked.

Only $18 a month. Thanks for the number and email address. I’ll send you my details when I get home. See you tomorrow. He was gone.

Later, as she drove home to the apartment she was renting in the city, Emma saw him standing at a bus stop, his head buried