Page 78 of The Coach

I nearly choke on my Diet Coke. “I don’t know about that.”

“Come on. I can see it in your face. Youlikehim.” She leans forward, eyes bright. “And you’re freaking out about it.”

I glare. “I don’t even know him.”

“So? Was thevibethere?”

I exhale, pushing a hand through my hair. “It doesn’t matter. He’s the father of my baby. That’s all this is. We’re trying to be cordial.”

Lauren just smirks. “Mmmhmm.”

I pick up a chip and throw it at her.

She dodges effortlessly.

“So he’s coming next Monday? After their game in San Francisco Sunday?”

I sigh. “Yeah.”

“All the way…to Riverbend?”

I shoot her a look. “Yes.”

“That’s like, not a small deal.” Lauren leans back, beaming. “Oh babe. You aresoin it.”

By the time I get home, I’m exhausted.

I change into leggings and a hoodie, wash my face, and curl up under my softest blanket.

For the first time all day, I let myself breathe.

And then—my phone buzzes.

I reach for it, expecting Lauren.

But when I see the name, my stomach knots.

Jackson Knox. He’s in my phone now.

Jackson: You make it home okay?

Me: Yeah. Just got in.

Jackson: Good.

Jackson: …Kinda miss seeing you.

I stare at the screen, my heart pounding way too hard.

He doesn’t need to say that.

But he did.

I swallow, hesitating before typing back.

Me: Yeah?

Jackson: Yeah. Hope that’s okay to say. It was so weird to just have four straight months where I thought you were a figment of my imagination.

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