Page 9 of Dear Coach's Daughter
She’s here.
BROWNIE
My dad gave me no warning about what tonight's event was all about. Hunter's eyes find me in the crowd, and I swear I can hear my pulse in my ears. His gaze sweeps up and down my body, and it feels more intimate than when my last boyfriend touched me. Why does he have such a pull over me?
“This night holds a special place in my heart. Like many of you, my family fell on hard times when my older brother, Zach, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia that resulted in many expensive experimental treatments that my parents could have dreamed of finding the money for, so the bills piled up quickly. I saw the toll it took on my parents, who were not only dealing with the worst possible thing that could be happening to their child but wondering how they were going to pay for it. We were lucky when an anonymous donor stepped in and paid for everything. Allowing my parents to focus on the care of my brother. Our family, unfortunately, didn't have the happy ending we were hoping for, but that didn't stop me from wanting to pay it forward when I could. So I started the Zach Delaney Memorial Foundation to assist families during the hardest times in their lives. To date, we’ve assisted over three hundred families and hope to keep that number growing with your help tonight.”
I look at my dad. He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't have to say a word. At a young age, he lost his own brother, not to a disease but a bike accident that caused irreversible head trauma. I know what this means to him and how he must see a part of him in Hunter.
I slip my hand into his and squeeze it tight. He squeezes back.
“So without further ado,” Hunter continues. “I’d like to officially open up the bidding for the silent auction and hope you have a wonderful evening.”
My dad and I walk around writing down bids for different prizes. I don’t miss that he writes in bids twice as high as the highest bid on some of the pricier items. Some of the family members—the dads mostly—recognize him and gather around him to shake his hand and take some pictures. I take this moment to step away and look for Hunter.
I thought that when he saw I was here that he'd come and find me after his speech. I've read his letter a few dozen more times today, and it's folded up in my clutch right now.
I see a few kids run down a hall off the area where the event is happening. I can hear the sound of giggles followed by the booming sound of Hunter’s laughter.
Following the melodic giggles, I peek into one of the rooms and see it's a big playroom with blue walls painted with white fluffy clouds. Toys litter the floor, and the kids are all running around. Hunter is pretending to be a monster and chasing them. Kids are hanging off him like they are trying to pull him down to the ground.
I pull out my phone from my clutch and take a little video. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen, and I'm pretty sure my ovaries are panting at the sight.
Hunter notices me in the doorway. Unfortunately, his distraction allows one of the little boys to run at him full force and slam into his stomach. He doubles over and coughs, trying to catch his breath.
“Time out!” he wheezes, using his hands to make the letter T.
The kids groan in disappointment.
“I’ll be back. I just need a break,” he tells them.
“Hey,” I say as he walks over to me.
“You look beautiful.”
Taylor let me borrow this dress. It’s tighter than I would have felt comfortable, but it shows off some of my more flattering curves, so it’s not so bad.
“I like your shoes.” I point to his red Chucks.
He looks down at his feet and chuckles. “Thanks. Glad to know they work with this suit.”
Anything would look good on him.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?” I ask.
“Sure.” He turns and points to the tall kid in the corner. “Rocco, you are in charge until I get back.”
Rocco gives him a salute and takes over Hunter’s role of the monster to the udder joy of the other kids.
I take Hunter’s hand and lead him out into the hallway. There is a little nook that I pull him into so that no one can see us.
“This seems very clandestine," he chuckles but stops when I push him up against the wall.
“Don’t read anything into this,” I tell him.
“Read into what?”
I lean in and press my lips to his lips. Hunter doesn’t react for a moment, but he seems to catch up to what is happening. I lick the seam of his lips, and he opens his mouth to allow our kiss to deepen. His tongue slips in and brushes eagerly against mine. I push my body up against his and feel the distinct hard press of his dick against my lower belly. His hands move down the slope of my back, over the swell of my ass and he squeezes.
I pull back, knowing that if I let this go any further, we might find ourselves in some stranger’s office—naked. We both have to take a moment to catch our breaths.
“What was that for?”
“For the brownies.” I smile and start walking back towards the event.
“What do I get if I buy you a bakery?” he calls after me.
I press my fingers to my lips and smile.
