Page 79 of The Sky Between Us

A loud moan erupted out of her before I captivated her lips with mine and fucked her hard. I was losing the grip on my self-control and with every thrust, every sweet sound leaving her, I knew I wouldn't last long. Maybe not even enough to finish her. The need to release all that built up inside of me over the past few days was swirling on top of me, getting closer to discharge. My thrusting motion became quicker and harder, my cock twitching with each move. Looking at Hazel’s face, I found her eyes already on me, studying my face like she could read my mind.

“Don’t wait for me,” she said, as her arms wrapped around my neck and she hinted small kisses over my sensitive skin.

I let my primal instinct take over and chase my release leaving her behind.

By the time I finished and got dressed, she slipped out without a word, leaving me feeling like the biggest asshole ever. I wasn’t a stranger to casual hookups, but she was my girlfriend and this all felt wrong.

Yet, it was exactly what I needed.

Release and space, and she’s given me both.

Coach’s impatient stare followed me from the moment I stepped out of my car. He couldn’t really see me make my way through the parking lot across the small hallway to his office, but it felt like he could. Or maybe it was my guilt that kept me thinking he was spying on me.

“Aiden,” he motioned towards the chair in front of him without missing a beat as soon as I stepped into his small, but spacious office. There was only an oak table with scattered papers all over it, and a display shelf with some soccer related books and our trophies. I never realized it before but there was a picture of Hazel and him hidden in the corner of his desk. It was taken after The Dance Awards and baby Hazel was hanging on her father in a black leotard, while holding on to the Mini Best Dancer title.

Feeling like a hand has reached into my chest and squeezed my heart tight, I swallowed hard before meeting his eyes.

“I know the past couple of days weren’t easy on you, but I made some phone calls and still several clubs are considering you. As well as Jeremy Dane, have you heard of him?”

I nodded, as he was one of the Football agents in Europe who was recruiting to the biggest teams. My heart beat in my throat from excitement. Why was he even paying attention to me?

“There are a few clubs who are already interested in you in Europe. Arsenal, Sevilla, Dortmund and Ajax just to mention the best of them,” he continued in a plain conversational tone, without missing a beat or showing any emotions. “I will give you Jeremy’s contact and you can talk to him, arrange a meeting and set up tryouts if you want to attend them.”

“Thank you,” I said all stunned, my voice shaking. “I don’t know what to say… you didn’t need to do this.”

“I didn’t,” Coach agreed without missing a beat. “But I believe in your talent and Europe has better clubs anyway. I know you said you wanted to play there as well, and this is your shot.”

“How did he even hear about me?” I asked running my hand through my hair. “I’m just a college soccer player.”

Coach remained silent for a long time. I watched his emotionless face, and the same hazel eyes his daughter had. “I know him personally. Sent over your stats and a video and told him to take a look at this kid I know. The rest was all you.”

Emotions laced my tone and suffocated my vocal cords. Swallowing hard, I nodded. “Thank you,” I repeated myself like a parrot.

Coach gave me a short nod and slipped a paper to me. “His contacts. Reach out to him if you are interested.”

My eyes glued to the paper that could hold my future and be a key to opening new doors as guilt ate my inside up. “If I take this… Hazel…”

He tilted his head and for the first time I saw a glimmer of sadness shining in his eyes. “She was the one begging me to do something for you. Anything. Now, this is me doing ‘anything’ to help you out.”

My girl had my back while I was giving up on her, on us, and slowly letting her slip through my fingers. Something burned behind my eyes, and I couldn’t believe those were tears. I never cried, but one selfless action from someone I loved made me emotional. No one has ever had my back the way she did.

Wrapping my fingers around the paper, I pulled it closer to me, before folding it in half and slipping it into my pocket.

Coach’s watchful eyes followed my movements before his gaze settled between my eyes.

“You are free to go. I wish you all the best.”

Our season was over and with that, he was no longer my Coach. He was a father to me and to everyone on the team, our rock and the wind in our sail. We all let him down, but especially me.

“Merry Christmas, Coach.” I said, not wanting to say goodbye to him.

A small, sad smile appeared on Coach’s face and for the first time I saw him appear older than his age. The circles under his eyes and the sadness written all over his face. He’s been through a lot. Whatever we have been through, he has as well, and it was unfair from my side to forget he had a bigger weight to carry.

“Goodbye Aiden,” he stood, extending his hand to me.

Staring at his arm, I understood his final words even if I didn’t want to believe them. This was the last time I was seeing him. Deep down I made up my mind, but my brain still didn’t catch up to my subconscious. But Coach being who he was laid out my cards.

I took his hand with a firm shake, before pulling him into a manly hug and silently thanking him for being there for me the last couple of years and begging him to not hate me for breaking his girl’s heart.

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