Page 76 of The Coach

It’s still early, the city slowly waking up as we pull up to the curb.

I turn to him. “Thanks for the ride.”

He nods, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.

I hesitate, then ask the question that’s been sitting heavy in my chest since last night.

“When will I see you again?”

He exhales, rolling his lips together, then finally says, “Next week’s game is in San Francisco. I fly back Sunday night. Can I come see you on Monday?”

I raise a brow. “Don’t you have practice?”

He shakes his head. “It’ll be canceled after the flight. The boys need to rest on Monday.”

I toy with the strap of my bag. “I teach during the week. But I’ve got the whole afternoon free that day.”

His blue eyes hold mine. “I know an afternoon and a night isn’t much, but I need to see you.”

My breath catches.

He lifts his phone, smirking slightly. “And I have your number now. We can text if we need to iron out the details.”

We’re both stalling.

Both lingering.

And for a second, it feels like he’s going to kiss me.

He doesn’t.

Instead, he exhales sharply and unbuckles his seatbelt.

Before I can react, he’s out of the car, walking around to my side.

He opens my door, stepping close—too close. Close enough that I can smell the warm spice of his cologne, feel the heat radiating off his body.

His fingers brush my arm as I slide out, my bag slung over my shoulder.

I swallow hard. “Okay…so next Monday?”

“Monday.” His voice is low. Sure. “I’ll drive out in the morning. You teach, right? What time do you get done?”

“Right around three.”

“Perfect.” He pauses, then grins slightly. “I’ll see you in Riverbend at three.”

I turn, heading toward the entrance, but I can feel his gaze on me.

The whole way inside.

Chapter Fifteen

IVY

The train rocks gently, rolling past miles of open fields as the city disappears behind me.

I should be grading papers, or napping, or doing literally anything other than replaying last night in my head.

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