Page 91 of The Coach

Except—I don’t know how.

I shift, stretching out my legs, trying to settle in. But my ears are trained on the sound of Jackson in the kitchen—the clink of plates, the low hum of the dishwasher starting up. My fingers tap absently against the page, my mind restless.

Is that what I’ve become? Someone who doesn’t even know how to sit still?

I let out a slow breath, forcing myself to focus on the words in front of me.

And then?—

A knock at the door.

Loud. Sharp. Unfamiliar.

I sit up straight, my heart kicking up a notch.

Jackson turns from the kitchen, his eyes meeting mine, instantly alert.

I get up and move to open the door.

As soon as I do, I regret it.

Kyle stands there, hands in his pockets, his stupidly smug face scanning the scene.

His eyes flick to Jackson. “Didn’t realize you had company.”

Jackson doesn’t say a word.

Doesn’t even blink.

Just stares, flexing his jaw. He looks like he’s ready to pounce.

Kyle shoves his hands deeper in his pockets. “Just wanted to see how you were doing, Ivy. You haven’t been answering my messages.”

What. The.Fuck.

My pulse jumps. “Because I don’t want to talk to you.”

Kyle smirks. “Come on. We go way back.”

Jackson moves.

Not fast. Not aggressively. But deliberately.

And suddenly, he’s standing right behind me, his presence massive, looming.

“Who the fuck is this?” Jackson’s voice is low. Dangerous.

Kyle’s eyes flick between us. “You serious?”

Jackson doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink. Doesn’t look away.

Kyle laughs. “Man, relax. I’m just saying hi.”

Jackson exhales slowly. His hands flex at his sides.

And then—his voice drops to a level I’ve never heard before.

“Yeah I know who you are. And I don’t want to see you again. If anyone comes near her again…I’ll kill ‘em.”

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