Page 85 of Everything's Better With You
Leslie’s blue eyes, so bright under the stadium lights, sparkled just for Joe.
“You do that. Oh, and by the way, we have a surprise for you.”
Joe frowned, but Leslie strolled away, being as the big coach was needed on the field, of course. Joe wanted to march down there after him and demand he explain, but then Joe was surrounded by cheerleaders tugging him toward the field as it was time for a pregame huddle.
Joe and Marti met them down on the track as the team stretched and warmed up as a group.
“You got your pep talk memorized?” Marti asked him.
“Pep talk? Uhhh…”
“Hey, Coach?” Terrell asked. “Sorry to interrupt, but Genesis is worried about our partner stunt. Can you talk to her?”
“Sure. But let’s huddle first.”
Joe didn’t think he’d ever get used to the kids looking to him for leadership and guidance. It was different than working with contestants onDance Machineor choreography for group numbers. They were there to learn the routine and move on. These kids wanted to learn from him, were inspired by him, and that was a whole new ballgame.
“I don’t know why y’all look to me to motivate you. You’ve got everything you need to go out on that field and nail not only your job as cheerleaders, but to nail your competition routine. I can give you the outside perspective, show you what you can’t see yourselves, but each and every one of you has worked your asses off to be here, and it shows every time you take the field. It shows every time you show up to practice. I see it, your teammates see it, and tonight, the crowd will see it. Tomorrow, the judges will see it. You’re going to be amazing, and that’s all I have to say. I believe in you. If you make a mistake, keep going. Make sure not a single hair touches the ground. Anything else, Marti?”
She smiled at him like a proud mama and his cheeks burned. “No, Coach, I think you summed it up. Now, finish your stretches. Game starts in fifteen minutes.”
Joe checked in with Genesis and confirmed that it was just nerves, that she was okay, and then he fist-bumped her and Terrell.
Joe and Marti waved at the kids as they climbed the steps to the bleachers. They sat up a few rows from the bottom and to the left of the squad so he could see them, watch their lines, etc., but they would be on their own. Joe knew it was best to give them the autonomy to make their own decisions during the game.
It also freed him up to watch Leslie, which was actually his favorite sport.
Leslie was a physical coach. He moved up and down the field, he used gestures, he acted out his instructions…he was constantly in motion. They’d talked a few nights prior about his coaching style after a rehab session. In Leslie’s giant bed. With Leslie stretched out over Joe’s naked body.
“You know you’ve lost weight, right?” Joe had asked him. “Probablyclose to twenty pounds.” He’d run his hands over Les’s ass, under his boxer briefs. “Does this happen every season?”
Leslie had laughed, sucking in a breath when Joe’s fingers dragged between his glutes. “Yeah. I don’t eat as much and I move way more. And I work out more because I work out issues while I’m exercising.”
“A kinesthetic learner, huh?”
“Yeah, I’m real hands on,” Leslie had murmured as he’d held himself in plank position above Joe and kissed him…everywhere. Then he’d done push-ups, kissing Joe on the down position.
“I love hands on,” Joe had murmured as Leslie finally lowered himself between Joe’s thighs and demonstrated his love of hands-on work. Lips and tongue-on work as well.
“Before I lose your attention completely,” Marti said. “We need to talk about tomorrow.”
“Hmm?” Leslie had bent over to tie a player’s cleats and Joe had a perfect view.
“You two are a hot mess, you know that?”
Joe sighed and smiled at her with his chin resting against his palm. “We are, but I’ve never been this gobsmacked before.” He pressed his lips together and his eyes burned. “I love him, Marti. I can’t believe I waited so long.”
Marti squeezed his thigh. “You waited until the right time, that’s all. And I’m happy for you. But does that mean you’re staying permanently?”
Joe’s dreamy smile slipped. “I think so. But I definitely feel like that moment when you’re mid-stunt and you look down only to realize that no one is there to catch you.”
“That’s normal, Joe. Once you give your heart to someone completely, there’s an adjustment period. And even still, sometimes you’ll wonder whether you’re as steady as you think you are, you’ll wonder what if…but deep down you’ll know you’re solid, that your person isn’t moving, and they won’t let a hair touch the ground.”
“Great. I feel so much better.”
Marti elbowed him and they both laughed as the announcer started the evening’s production. The cheerleaders held up the poster for the team to run through and they cheered as the team ran out two at a time.The seniors were introduced and had a moment to wave to the stands. Then the senior cheerleaders were introduced and Marti and Joe shouted loudly for them. Leslie’s coaching staff was honored while the crowd cheered and Joe and Marti stood up and waved when their names were called. Joe and Leslie made eye contact across the field and Joe placed a hand over his heart. Leslie nodded and smiled before joining the team’s huddle on the sidelines.
Once the game started, Joe’s attention was on his team…unless they were in between cheers, and then it was on Leslie.
