Page 68 of Asher

I looked up at the bleachers to see her staring straight at me. I winked at her and the smile she gave me could light up the entire stadium.

We were going to be just fine.

* * *

“Great game,gentleman. You played your asses off and left everything on the field. If that’s the effort you bring into next year, we’ll have another state championship to celebrate. Get out of here.” The guys cheered and Coach Coleman clapped his hands three times in sync with the team, the same way we ended each game regardless of the outcome.

Thank fuck the boys kicked Bakerfield’s ass tonight, though. I might not be playing, but the win still pumped through my veins as much as it did when I took the field. Who knew coaching could give me the same rush of adrenaline.

Back in the day, I’d rush out of the locker room just to see Carrie. I’d pick her up and spin her around before stealing a kiss. I couldn’t help but feel a slight pinch in my chest at the fact I basically asked Haley to do the same.

I wanted her there though.

Needed her there.

It’d been too damn long since someone waited for me after a game. I was thanking my lucky stars it was Haley.

I slapped a few guys on the back as I walked through the locker room to my office, which was right next to Coach’s. “They played well.” I leaned up against his door frame.

Coach leaned back in his chair a rare smile on his face. “They did. We need to tighten up our kicking team and a couple of the Power Plays. We’ll work out the kinks in summer camp.”

We’d have a few practices here and there this spring, but those were more to keep agility and shape, not necessarily to iron out plays. Now that the spring game was over, I’d have a little more free time to spend with Haley and Phoenix.

“You head out of here.” Coach stood to shake my hand. I turned to grab my keys when he stopped me “Oh, Asher. One more thing.”

“What’s up.”

“You better not hurt Haley. That girl is like a second daughter to me. I’d hate to have to hurt you.”

I chuckled. “I think we should be more worried about her hurting me.”

“That may be true, but this is your one warning.” He raised a brow daring me to argue.

“Understood.” I nodded and walked out of the locker room. As soon as I stepped through the door that led out to the field, my eyes darted around, searching for her. My heart picked up as I spotted her leaning against the chain-link fence.

“Good game, coach.” She grinned, pushing off the fence to walk toward me. I didn’t stop moving, meeting her in the middle. My hand went to the back of her head, tangling in her perfect blonde curls as I pulled her to me, my mouth crushing against hers. My baseball hat fell to the ground.

I palmed her ass, lifting her off the ground and holding her to me as I continued to devour her. She clung tightly to me as I spun us around one time.

A catcall brought me back to the present and I lowered her feet to the ground. “Hey,” I whispered, pressing one more hard kiss to her already swollen lips. The sight made my cock stiff.

“That was some welcome.” She smiled up at me. I laced our hands together and led us toward my truck in the faculty parking lot.

I squeezed her hand. “I was happy to see you. Wanna leave your car here and ride home with me?”

“Okay.”

I opened the door and gripped her hips, lifting her into the passenger seat. Stepping between her legs, I slid my palms up and down the outside of her thighs.

My eyelids drifted closed as I breathed in her sweet scent. “I’m sorry about earlier.” My fingers flexed against her legs as I slid one hand into the hole of her jeans. The smooth skin of her thigh soft and perfect under my palm. As much as I didn’t want to bring this up, we needed to have this conversation. And though Haley typically didn’t avoid conflict, she did run from me before thanks to Stella.

“Are you talking about the fact you didn’t tell me how amazing my ass looks in these jeans? Because after my text about your Khakis I was expecting something in return.” Her fingers brushed over my biceps, causing goosebumps. I swear no one has ever had the effect on me that Haley does.

She has an undeniable hold on every part of me.

One I hope she never let’s go of.

My hands moved straight to her ass, smacking it playfully. “You know your ass looks amazing in everything.”

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