Page 85 of Teaching the Kot'oll Coach

“Your father should... well... it would help if he was a bit more encouraging.”

“It’s okay. I’ve learned to deal with that. We don’t always get everything we want anyway. Teaching kids is meaningful too.”

“And listening to the principal’s ramblings?”

He laughs. “Meaningful in its own way, I suppose.”

Slowly, we make our way out of the souvenir shop and the stadium. The building is even larger when we stand right at the door. It looks like a castle, but silvery and glistening under the light of the city.

He watches the building in silence, probably living the life of a floatball player again in his memory. Maybe he used to look up to the player who got his statue in the stadium lobby too.

But...

But I met him. If he went on with his floatball career, maybe we’d never meet.

We head back to his spaceship, both of us sitting at the driving dashboard in silence.

I want to say something to comfort him, but I don’t know what to say.

He blinks and seemingly pulls his mind back. “Are you hungry by now? We can grab some food. Or are you bored with us running around getting food already?”

“It’s never boring with you.”

The smile on his face falters slightly. I swallow with my throat burning dry as I look away from him. Maybe he wonders why I don’t want him as his mate, even though...

I... I don’t know either. I can’t even come up with a single reason to refuse, yet...

He starts the spaceship. “I guess we can head in the direction of your place. If you want to stop by somewhere for food, we can do that. Otherwise, I can drive you home.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

I want my life to sound like a plan, too, but it’s never going to be that easy.

Chapter 35

Winnie

So... We end up cuddling on my couch again. I lean onto Telke as we stare blankly at the television screen. The movie is playing, but I’m not watching and not taking in a single word.

He is warm and comfortable to lean against.

“Popcorn?” He lifts one to my lips as he eats one himself.

I lick the popcorn off his fingers to my mouth. “Thanks.”

He strokes Ossa, who’s on his lap as he feeds both of us popcorn. He pats my side too. “Are you watching the movie?”

“Not really.” I let out a breath. I feel like sitting up, but I don’t want to move.

He chuckles. “Same here. At least the popcorn is good.”

“Mm...” I have another, letting out a soft breath. “Indeed. I’ll buy it again.”

“So...” He swallows. “About that thing...”

“What thing? Floatball?”

“No, I mean... Are you feeling better?”

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