Second Chance Lane (Brockenridge #2) - Nicola Marsh Page 0,5

so mad he’d channelled his fury and frustration into making those first few months in LA count. And he hadn’t looked back. Neither had he succumbed to the temptation to look her up online. Not that he would’ve found much. She’d stayed off social media even when they’d been dating, citing nosy parents.

Back then, he’d been so damn angry with her, though he had to acknowledge a small part of him had been relieved. He’d been on the cusp of breaking out with that LA producer and a baby would’ve seriously crimped his plans. But rather than supporting her through an abortion that must’ve been rough, he’d turned his back on her.

Shame burned deep and he muttered a curse as he stomped towards the homestead. He couldn’t change the past but for however long it took to shake the funk plaguing him, hiding out here was his future.

CHAPTER

3

As Tash pulled up outside the school sports ground and saw a group of girls huddled near the gate, her heart sank. Usually they’d be running drills on the netball court or having match simulation. Instead, the coaches stood to one side, a hunched Isla between them, while the rest of the girls gossiped and cast sideways glances at her daughter.

Many of the other school mums dreaded the impending teen years but Tash had been quietly confident that Isla was a good kid and wouldn’t give her too much grief. Isla had never been grounded or called into the principal’s office, but that was primary school. Maybe her daughter was struggling in her first year of high school and had hidden it?

She loved Isla and embraced life as a single parent wholeheartedly but it was moments like this that she missed having the support of a spouse. However, this wasn’t the time to take a futile trip down memory lane, wondering if she’d done the right thing in lying to Kody. His countless platinum releases, awards and worldwide fame, told her she had. But at what cost?

She stepped from the car and approached the group. Isla caught sight of her and took a step like she wanted to run into her mother’s arms, before resuming a recalcitrant slump. The head coach wore a grim expression while her assistant leaned closer and said something before joining the girls at the gate. They returned to the court and resumed training.

‘Coach,’ Tash said, giving a brief nod. She’d always thought it ridiculous that a grown woman wanted to be addressed by this moniker at all times. ‘Hi, Isla.’

The coach frowned and glared at Isla, before her disapproving stare fixed on Tash. ‘There was an incident during our practice match earlier. Isla pushed Dennie hard, causing her to fall and injure her knee. She has since gone home but I wanted you here when I tell Isla the consequences for her actions.’

Fear flickered in Isla’s gaze before she averted her eyes.

‘We don’t tolerate any physical displays of anger in my team, whether against opposition or teammates,’ the coach continued. ‘So with that in mind, I think it’s best Isla is suspended for a month.’

Isla gasped and Tash struggled to hide her dismay. Isla loved netball and was good at it, the best goalkeeper this town had seen in a while, according to many. There’d even been talk of regional tryouts, followed by a national comp in Melbourne. This punishment would gut her.

Making an effort to keep her tone steady, Tash said, ‘I understand your no-tolerance policy but a month is—’

‘It’s a shame you feel the need to question my decision, Ms Trigg, but it’s final.’ The coach turned to Isla. ‘I expected better from my star player and I hope that while you’re on the sidelines for the next four weeks you’ll think about your actions and how you’ve not only let yourself down, but your entire team too.’

With that, the coach marched to the courts.

Tash wanted to stomp after her, spin her around and give her a verbal spray for being so damn dramatic. But she understood. Physical violence wasn’t okay in any situation and the fact Isla had hurt Dennie badly enough that she got sent home … Tash had to handle this, and fast.

‘Let’s go,’ she muttered. ‘We’ll discuss this when we get home.’

Isla wisely remained mute for the first few minutes in the car, but she’d never been any good at staying silent so Tash knew it would only be a matter of time before she blurted the truth. She’d never been a