Page 77 of The Coach

“Thank you. I’m sorry for intruding.”

“No intrusion.” Mom waves her hand.

Dad walks over, slowly and with effort, one hand resting on a cane and holding his other out for Tanner. “David Ellis.”

“Mr. Ellis, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Come on in and have a seat. Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Tea? Water?”

“Water is fine,” Tanner replies kindly and holds out my seat for me. I sit, then watch him walk into the kitchen and help my mom with the drinks.

What a suck up.

My mother is drooling over him already, smiling and watching as he delivers a drink to my dad, then to me, before walking Mom’s drink to her spot and setting it down, serving himself last.

“Well, aren’t you a gentleman?” Mom comments, and I already know that she’s nearly won over by his manners and demeanor.

“Is Lincoln home?” I ask, wondering if I was about to get another tongue-lashing from my impulsive little brother.

“No,” Mom replies, waving her hand. “He was here this morning, as I told you, but he left as quickly as he came.”

“He was pretty upset,” Dad comments, making my guilt return.

“I know,” I reply, taking a deep breath. “I wanted to tell him—and you both—a dozen times. But we started getting so close to me graduating, and I didn’t want to mess everything up.”

“It’s my fault,” Tanner says, settling his hand over mine. “She didn’t want to mess up my career, so we kept quiet.”

“That’s not the whole truth, though.” I look over at Tanner. “It was about Tanner’s job, but it was about Lincoln. You guys remember Mark.” Mom glances at Dad, and I see Dad’s jaw clench. He was just as upset as my baby brother when he found out what had happened. “I didn’t want to have Lincoln worried over who I was dating and then drive a wedge between him and Tanner.”

Dad looks at Tanner, his expression only telling me that he was not happy with the situation. “Our son looks up to you. He may not admit that now, but he’s been appreciative of your help with a tutor and guiding him.”

Tanner swallows, and his rough hand tightens on mine. “I like Lincoln. He’s a good kid and a hell of a hockey player. If he keeps his head on straight, he could easily go all the way.”

“But you’re willing to throw a wrench in morale to date my daughter?”

“David,” Mom scolds. “You make Mickey sound bad.”

I feel my cheeks burn at this whole conversation. I didn’t want to be having it at all, let alone let my parents have so much… say. But we hid it, we lied, and now we were dealing with those consequences.

Dad clears his throat. “That’s not what I mean.” He looks back to Tanner. “Micayla is an amazing young woman, with a bright future. She’s going to do well in her field and help a lot of people who need her. She would also be an amazing partner. She’s had a wonderful example set by her mother, and I could see her being a great mother, too. But she doesn’t deserve to be with someone who isn’t willing to risk some things for her.”

Tanner nods his head slowly, his voice rough but confident when he starts to speak. “I know that to outsiders, this must seem like some fling, like we’re just dating out of some sort of convenience or taboo fun. But, as I’ve said to Mick, she’s it for me, sir. I know I have a lot of work to do to earn her, to deserve to be that man for her and help provide us a good life, but I have no intention of allowing rules set by a university or the feelings of anyone else stop me from loving this woman by my side.”

I feel my eyes water a little and look between my parents. Mom swipes a tear off her cheek, and Dad sits there studying Tanner. I look at the man who has changed my life for the better, and he looks down at me with all the adoration he just spoke of. He leans down, placing a kiss on my cheek, and I lean into him, thankful I have him here by my side for this.

“Alright,” Dad finally says, leaning forward and interlocking his fingers on the table. “That was a good answer, Mitchum. I can’t wait to see you prove it.” It’s not approval, but it’s not a complete dismissal either.

Tanner turns back to my dad and smiles. “I can’t either.”

thirty-two

TANNER

Mick was going to work herself to death. I watch her from where I’m sitting on the couch, a tablet in my hand as I go over game footage. We have a game tomorrow, then another after that, and then I would be done.

Ed had called after I met Mick’s parents and told me he couldn’t do a whole lot more than that for me, which meant the team I’d worked so hard with for the last almost nine months was going to go on to win without me. It burned.

I don’t want to quit or resign or get fired, but it is what it is.

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