Page 87 of The Coach

I grin at him, and the cheering around us grows with every second. Half the people in the arena likely do not know what is happening, but regardless, they’re here for it anyway. “I love you too, Coach.”

One of his arms winds around my lower back, and his lips meet mine in a gentle kiss as he dips me on the ice right there. I squeak into his mouth, holding on to his shoulders, and he laughs when he tips me back up.

I turn back to my brother and accept the hug he gives me, hoping that this means when we leave, he won’t keep ignoring my calls because of who I’m dating.

Hoping this means that Tanner and my story, while really just beginning, will be one that can inspire anyone who’s not looking for love to never give up.

Because when you don’t look for love, somehow, it always finds you.

Waiting in the tunnel outside of the locker room, I see Lincoln enter first and make a beeline for me, giving me a hug only a brother can. I return it, happy that we’ve finally put our differences aside.

He pulls me away from my friends, and I stand in front of him, proudly displaying my new jersey for all to see. I had more than one person come up and make a comment about how I was so lucky to date the coach, how we made a cute couple, how they were so excited to have witnessed what was our ‘coming out’ to the world.

I guess it was official. There was no hiding it now.

“I’m sorry I made you do something public,” are my brother’s first words. I laugh at him, and he grins with pride.

“Yeah, why did you do that?”

“Because.” He shrugs. “I like attention.”

I roll my eyes and push on his shoulder. “Yeah, I know.”

“No,” he sighs and looks around at all the families greeting their players. I see Crew standing with Cassie and Vic, his family unable to make it. “I was here late last night, and I went to the rink to see why the lights were still on, and I saw you two in there.” My eyes soften when I see the vulnerability in his eyes. “I didn’t realize how real his feelings were. I never gave you guys a chance to show me that, and I’m sorry.”

I sigh and cross my arms. “I’m glad you realized your mistake.”

“I do, and I don’t want you guys to leave.”

My eyes heat, and I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, Lincoln. We may not have a choice, you know? We have to go where Tanner can work, too.”

He nods, “I know. But the team doesn’t want another coach. We want Mitchum. We made that clear when we took a stand against Ed Brown tonight.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, shocked. “You took a stand?”

“Yep.” He grins proudly. “We weren’t going to play if they didn’t give Coach his job back.”

I frown and look at him, my eyes tracking around us before settling back on him. “Did it work?”

“We’ll find out before the next game, I’m sure,” he says, then his grin slips away, and he grows serious. “I hope so, Mickey. I don’t want you to leave, and I know that’s selfish—”

“Especially considering you probably will be drafted and move away,” I interrupt, and he sighs.

“Yes, considering that. But this is your home. You have a good job, your friends, now your boyfriend. I don’t want you to leave.”

“I don’t either, Lincoln. But I’ll go where Tanner goes.” I reply seriously, hoping that he’ll realize that no matter how much apologizing or agonizing he’s done between finding out about us and now, I can’t just magically make it all better.

“Well, okay.” He nods. “Regardless of that, Coach has been good to me. Helping me with issues and getting me a tutor. Though, I think my tutor is an idiot.”

I frown. “A tutor for your writing class?”

“Yeah.” He shakes his head. “Anyway. I love you, that’s all I’m trying to say.”

I feel that stupid heat in my eyes again and vow to have my tear ducts removed. “I love you, too, baby brother.”

He gives me a bone-crushing hug, and we join our friends, all of them making plans to go out.

I feel arms wrap around me from behind and smile into the warmth that surrounds me. I tilt my head to the side and up, smiling at Tanner, who returns the gesture, placing a gentle and innocent kiss on my lips.

---