Page 125 of See You at the Finish Line

“I threatened to quit if you didn’t get your job back and Coach fired me.”

My jaw drops. I’m not exaggerating or using a turn of phrase—I literally feel my mouth hanging open.

“And this doesn’t concern you?”

He shrugs. “Not really.”

“Why not?”

“Look.” He points to the double doors at the back of the building where I see people filing out.

“What’s going on?”

“A mutiny.” When I turn back to him, there’s a smug smile on his face.

I cannot believe what I’m seeing.

“For me?”

“I think you underestimate the power of your hands. People want you around, and they hate Maxim—he creeps them out. Plus, the fact that the company made this rule without having a clauseallowing couples to sign a waiver is pissing people off. Do you know how many staff are dating each other?”

“You did this,” I whisper, turning to look at him.

He doesn’t even seem to know how amazing this is. Does he see it? The positive influence he has on the world just by being him?

I’m going to make it my life’s mission to ensure he never forgets that he is more than his job, that his place in this world is enough. Because his place is beside me.

I turn back to see more people flooding through the doors of the arena. The season already started and it’s not only the staff who are exiting the building. I see the other developmental coaches, the assistant coaches, and even players.

Players are leaving.

Are they even allowed to quit? Probably not, but it sends a message.

I turn back to Adam.

“I love you.”

“I love you,” Paigesays, tears welling in her eyes. I drag my thumb across her cheek as they begin to fall.

“I love you too,” I say back, grateful to get those words off my chest. I’ve wanted to blurt them out so many times, but I wanted it to be perfect. I lean over to kiss her, a little worried we may get arrested for public indecency. My phone pings and I have to move Paige off my lap so I can fish it out of my pocket.

Coach Whyatt

11:54 a.m.

you proved your point Ashford, get your ass back in here. And everyone else’s while you’re at it

I raise my eyebrows at Paige. “See, I work fast.”

“Oh, I’m aware of how fast you work, Ashford.” She gives me a sly smile and I forget myself for a minute, lost in her lips and tongue. In her.

“Menace.” I nip her bottom lip.

We climb out of her Jeep and Julien jogs up to us.

“Can we go back inside?” This is what I like about Julien—straight to the point.

“In a minute, I have to talk to Whyatt,” I tell our goalie.

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