Page 42 of The Coach

“Clearly!” Finn exclaimed, gesturing helplessly. “But hey, at least I know you’re all good. More than good, as it seems. Anyway… I’ll just… leave now. Bye!”

As he hurried away, Blake shook his head, closing the window and locking it. “Your friend is something else,” he said, setting the bat back in its place.

“You think?” I teased, leaning against the wall and watching him.

Blake turned to me, his eyes softening as they met mine. “I think I’d better get you back to bed before we get any more visitors.”

I jiggled my ass just enough to make him smirk, and he pulled me into his arms, pressing a kiss to my forehead. Our bodies pressed together, skin to skin, and I couldn’t stop smiling. Blake’s protectiveness, his ridiculous bravery, the way he was ready to take on the intruder in nothing but his birthday suit and a bat—it was sohim.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” I murmured, my voice thick with affection.

He kissed me again, slower this time. “You make me want to be.”

And as we fell back into his rumpled king-sized bed, our limbs tangled, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

26. Blake

The scent of flowers filled the air, and the late May sun filtered through the budding trees outside the windows of my new office at MCLA. The light felt different here—gentler, maybe, or just more forgiving. I liked to think it reflected the change in me.

The past four months had been a whirlwind, a blur of endings and beginnings. Leaving Williams had been bittersweet. The Ephs were a strong team, and I’d grown to care for them as much as I cared about the sport itself. But staying there, with Coach Simmons back at the helm and me as a constant reminder of something neither Tyler nor I wanted to keep hiding, wasn’t an option.

And yet, I hadn’t gone far. I coached in North Adams now, but I still lived in Williamstown, in the house I’d once thought of as a place to bury myself. Now it wassomething else entirely—a home, the first real one I’d had in years. Tyler spent more nights there than he didn’t, though he still kept up appearances by living with Finn. For now, anyway. One more year at Williams until he graduates, and then… we’ll see. Wherever he decides to go, I’ll go with him.

I glanced at the clock. Tyler’s brother’s graduation ceremony would be starting soon, and I was expected. That word—expected—still felt foreign to me. Tyler wanted me there, in the open, by his side. It wasn’t a secret anymore. And that, I’d learned, was both scary and exhilarating.

He had already met my family—I took him to Boston with me during spring break. I had already told my folks about him months before, so they had plenty of time to get over the initial shock and come to terms with it. They all loved him, as I knew they would, especially the little ones. Tyler was natural with kids, and my niece and nephew adored him. It made me see a certain kind of future with him I didn’t even consider before. But let’s not jump the gun. Right now, it was my turn to meet those closest to him.

The ceremony was held outdoors on the green campus of Williams College, my former workplace, and I arrived to find Tyler standing near a cluster of chairs with his parents and his brother. It was only six miles from North Adams to Williamstown, and it took me less than fifteen minutes to get there. I parked my car atthe same spot I used to park when I worked there, straightened my tweed jacket, and strode to them. Wanting to make a good first impression, I wore my blue jeans, white dress shirt, and a classic dark green jacket, going for a casual yet stylish look. I couldn’t show up in sweats for such an occasion, could I?

Tyler spotted me first, his face lighting up in a way that still managed to take my breath away. “Blake!” he called, waving me over. His parents turned, their expressions curious but not unkind. His brother, in his cap and gown, stood beside him, grinning like he already knew the punchline to a joke. “You made it,” Tyler said, reaching out to squeeze my hand briefly before letting it drop. His family was watching, and I knew he was trying to be respectful.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” I replied, my voice steady even though my nerves weren’t. Even though we practically lived together now—even after we spent all last night making love—his presence still had this effect on me.

“Blake, this is my mom and dad, and this is Matt, my brother. Guys, this is…” He hesitated for only a fraction of a second before finishing. “This is my boyfriend, Blake.”

Tyler’s dad was a well-built man in his early fifties, with salt and pepper hair and a beard to match, wearing gray dress pants and a navy shirt. He gave me a once-over, but there was no sign of disapproval in his eyes. From what Tyler had told me, his partner had graduatedonly days ago, so I supposed he was in no position to question the age difference between Tyler and me. “Boyfriend, huh?” he said, his tone even. Then he extended a hand. “Nice to meet you, Blake.”

I shook his hand firmly, relieved by the warmth in his grip. “It’s nice to meet you too, sir.”

“No need for formalities,” he said. “Call me Jeff.”

“Okay, Jeff.”

Tyler’s mother was a tougher cookie. In her late forties, she was still beautiful, her long brown hair complimenting her form-fitting white skirt suit. If Tyler had gotten his strong physique from his dad, then he had gotten his good looks from his mom. “Aren’t you a little old to be dating a student?”

“Mom!”

“Don’t ‘mom’ me, Tyler. I’m just looking out for you, like any mother would.”

“As you should,” I said. “But your son’s happiness is all that matters to me.” Tyler looked at me like I was a goddamned Superman and his mother gave me a quick nod, letting the matter drop—at least for the time being.

Matt stepped forward, pulling me into a quick, almost playful handshake. He looked like a leaner, slightly older version of Tyler. His hair was a bit longer, his frame a bit taller and not as brawny, but the resemblance was still clear, especially in the way they both moved and talked. You could tell that they grew up together. “So,you’re the guy who made my baby brother all googly-eyed for months? Glad to finally put a face to the mystery.”

“Matt,” Tyler groaned, punching him in the shoulder.

“What?” Matt shrugged, grinning. “It’s true. Don’t deny it.”

“Enough, you two,” Jeff said, shaking his head. Then he looked at me again, his expression softening. “You must really care about my son to stick around here after quitting your job.”

---