Page 45 of Coach Sully

“You command every part of my life. I can’t focus. I can’t talk to other women without thinking about you. I wantyou.” His thumb grazes up and down my neck, making me shiver for a second time. I hate the goose bumps spreading from that area. “How does it feel? Not being in control?”

I narrow my eyes at him, and he covers my neck with his giant palm. I swallow and raise my chin defiantly. “Sully—” I warn him to back off, but my voice comes out a lot more breathy than it was supposed to.

“Not very fun, is it?” He tsks. “All that desire floods your senses and makes it impossible to function. Impossible to think. Everything is within reach, so close you can touch it with your fingertips… but no matter how badly you want it, you can neverseem to grasp it.” He presses his thumb to my bottom lip and pulls it down. His eyes are on my mouth. I’m full-on panting.

Footsteps are coming from around the corner, so I dart my eyes away, and he shoves off the wall, walking away without saying another word.

Some days, I regret having it written into my contract that Kendra is my main point of contact. My attraction to her has doubled since working side by side. Maybe it’s a forbidden fruit thing that makes me want her so much. It’s borderline obsession. She’s constantly on my mind; doesn’t matter if I’m on the ice with my team or staring into another woman’s eyes.

It’s what made me flip on her in the interview today. On the drive home, I call my best friend, Barrett. My car seems to be one of the only places I have privacy these days. I hate being in the spotlight, but I must be a masochist because I love being near her.

“Dude. What the fuck?” He laughs, answering. He must have seen the interview. “So, what’s it like being the most-wanted bachelor in America?” he says.

I chuckle. “It fucking sucks.”

He laughs. “Why?”

Too many reasons to explain. For now, I need to figure out what to do about it. My patience is running out. I answer his question with one of my own. “How did you know Raleigh was the one?” I ask.

“I just knew. It’s hard to explain. She was fun, and I knew that if I had to spend everyday with her for the rest of my life—”

“It wouldn’t be enough?” I finish.

“Exactly. Falling for one of the women already? That didn’t take long. Who is it?”

“I think it’s Kendra.”

There’s a pause. “Kendra? Which one—wait,your producer?! That woman who interviewed you?”

I suck my teeth. “Yeah.”

“Oh, shit.”

“Yeah.”

“Does she know?”

“I’ve hinted at it.”

“Yeah… after that interview, it kinda makes sense. You were about as subtle as a brick to the face. Do you think she feels the same way?”

“I don’t know. She pushes me away. I can’t tell if she’s scared or if she really is not interested. Even if she did. We’re both in a tough spot.”

“Wait, I’m confused. Why do you say ‘we’re’ in a tough spot.”

Shit.

“We, ah, kind of hooked up. Before this whole show thing. I really like her.”

“Holy shit… Okay. So, drop the show.”

“I can’t. I’d fuck up my contract, and her career depends on it too. And this girl is driven. I mean,reallydriven. She wants this. More than she wants me, apparently… but I can’t blame her.Remember how we used to be when we were drafted? The league was everything.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know, man.” I rub the back of my neck. “But I can’t even think about these other women. It’s like she’s some parasite that’s burrowed into my brain.”

“Ew, what are you guys talking about?” Raleigh interrupts.

---