Page 31 of The Coach

I may flex a little once Mick’s beautiful face fills the screen.

My racing mind instantly relaxes as I take in her bun, oversized sweatshirt with the school’s name on it, and her reading glasses that I saw her wearing that last night we were together before our away games.

Since our night where I admitted to how much I like her—not that I thought it was a secret—she had come over twice.

We both decided that keeping our relationship from her roommates was probably for the best right now, even though I knew she didn’t want to. From what I could tell, her friends were basically her family and keeping this from them made her feel sick. She may never admit it, but I could tell there was some truth to that.

We were in a sticky situation. Like her, I want to confide in my friends and family about this amazing woman I’ve met. I want to declare that I’m officially taken, that I am planning on moving this relationship forward to the end goal.

That I’ve finally found a woman I could see myself sharing my life with.

But… it’s almost a blessing for me that we can’t share it.

I was worried that I would be pushing her too hard too fast, that I would scare her away with the thoughts that were in my head. Having to keep this relationship a secret was going to help me take the time to get to know her before I ask her how many kids she wants.

Thank God for forbidden relationships.

“So, how do you feel?” Her voice pulls me back to the conversation, and I let out a long, tired sigh.

“I’m fine,” I reply, stretching my free arm up and over my head.

“You guys lost; you don’t have to hide it if you’re disappointed.”

I lift a brow. “You watched the game?” This one wasn’t televised on the regular cable networks but only available online where it usually got pretty much ignored. Except the diehard fans, of course, who tuned into every game.

Mick turns her head, and a slight smile is curved up on her lips. “Yes, of course I did.”

Right, her brother. “Lincoln must appreciate the support.”

She scoffs and shakes her head. “That was a poor attempt at asking if I watched because of you.”

I laugh with her and readjust. “Fine, did you watch because of me?”

Mick gives me a sly smile, lifting her chin up. “They don’t put the camera on the coach nearly enough for my liking.”

Her answer makes a warmth spread throughout my chest. I feel it tightening in almost giddy pleasure. Fuck me. I don’t think that’s ever happened before. “Oh? You don’t say?” I reply nonchalantly.

She giggles through the phone line, and I relax, watching her. Mick was beautiful to me. Not only her attitude and the way she treats others, but the way she holds herself. She was confident and kind. Her heart was beautiful, and I was figuring out after years of shallow, meaningless hookups, that this is what I had been missing.

“Good thing I get a private viewing after the games,” she says.

I sigh and answer absentmindedly. We’re both quiet for a moment. She watches me, and I stare right back at her, wishing like hell we were back in my bed or on my couch, just… together. She made everything feel so simple, even when our relationship was anything but.

“You okay?” she finally asks, real concern in her tone.

“Yeah.” My reply is automatic, the kind of reply I’d give to anyone who asked, not wanting to burden them with my inner thoughts, concerns, worries.

“Tanner.” Her voice is firm, and I blink the glaze from my eyes, refocusing on her.

“What?”

“You can talk to me.” Her strong shoulders shrug. “That’s what I’m here for, so you can vent.”

I smile a little, looking at her. “Well, when you put it that way.”

“Come on,” she prods me further, waving a hand toward herself to encourage me.

I take a deep breath, tilting my head side to side to crack my neck. “I’m always a little dejected after a loss.”

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