Page 26 of Summer Message

Confessing my love to Kristina was the best thing that I could have done, but now it’s like we’re two ships passing in the night. Football camp started right after meeting my family. Everyone loved Kristina, though. I knew they would.

With the exception of daily Facetime calls, we haven’t seen each other in three weeks. I miss her. I’m trying to make plans to go see her this weekend. I have a football game tonight and it’s our first home game, so there’s a lot of extra pressure for me.

“Wow. They gave you your own office. You must be pretty important.”

I’m sitting at my desk when I hear the voice of the girl who's been on my mind so much that I can’t even concentrate. I get out from behind my desk to pull her into my arms. I kiss her with all of the feelings that have been building in me. I feel her fingernails on my back as she lifts my shirt.

“I know you’re at work, so I can’t fuck you like I want to, I can wait until tonight.”

I smile at her.“What are you doing here?” I close my office door.

“I’ve missed you, so I took today as a half day at work because it’s your first home game. There isn’t anywhere I’d rather be right now than here watching you coach your kids.”

“I was sitting there staring at the calendar trying to figure out how to get to your house.” I lead her over to the two chairs that are in front of my desk. We sit down and hold hands.

“This is the hardest part about us living in another city. We’ll figure things out. I know we will. Labor Day is coming up, and then there’s other holidays. We need to get everything worked out, but we’ll be okay. I promise.”

“Could you quit your job and move here?” I laugh.

“I have a house. You’d need to move in with me.” Kristina raises her right eyebrow at me.

I laugh.“If I didn’t have the job at the hospital.” I sigh.

I don’t know how to do all of this. I’m under contract at the hospital for at least two years. I don’t know if I could transfer to the local hospital in the town that Kristina lives in.

“I love my job and you love your job. I’d never ask you to quit it just because I miss you every day,” she whispers.

“Okay, enough of this talk. Why don’t I show you around before the guys get here?” I wipe the tears off of Kristina’s cheeks. “Don’t cry. We’re together now and I love you.”

“I love you too.” She kisses me quickly.

I grab her hand and entwine mine with hers as we walk out of my office. I show her the weight room, locker room, and we walk down the hallways. I point out the trophies and she meets my boss. Some of the kids are in the hallway for the pep rally that’s going to start in about thirty minutes.

“Hey, Coach.” Tyler stands to shake my hand.

“Hey, Tyler. What are you doing? Why aren’t you in class?”

“Since it’s game day and we have the pep rally, the teachers were slack.” He turns to Kristina. “Hello. I’m Tyler. Are you coach’s girlfriend Kristina?”

“I am. It’s nice to meet you. Matt tells me that you’re a better quarterback than he was at your age.” Tyler smiles wide at Kristina’s comments. “I can’t wait to watch you play tonight.”

“It’s cool that you’re here. Wait until the guys learn that Mrs. Coach is here.” Tyler starts texting on his phone.

I whisper sorry to Kristina, who shrugs it off with a giggle. I continue the tour of the high school before stopping at the gymnasium.

“I forgot about this pep rally. I really wanted to spend time with you before the game.” I squeeze her hand as she walks in with me.

The place is starting to fill up. We walk over to my team. They’re all calling her Mrs. Coach and she’s loving it. Tyler makes her sit with the rest of the team while I head to the stage. I hate public speaking. As I sit down on the chair that was decorated for me, I watch the interactions between Kristina and my kids, and I can’t help but feel so much pride and love for this woman.

The pep rally begins, and the students are singing the fight song. Then they stomp their feet, clapping as I stand to make my speech.

“Good afternoon. Are we ready to kick some tortoise butt tonight?” I yell into the microphone. “We’re going to get on the field and play with the best football team out there!” Cheers again. I see Kristina clapping and cheering along with everyone else. I smile at her. “Tonight, I need you all there with us, cheering us on when things look bleak or the other team has the ball. We need them to know that we are a force to be reckoned with! Now I’ll give it back to the principal.” I wave at the crowd one last time before sitting down in my chair.

As Mr. Martin talks, I zone out watching the crowd get excited about the game.The pep rally finally ends.

“You were great. Now what?” Kristina asks me.

“Dinner. I have about an hour and a half before I need to get back here. I usually order pizza to be delivered.”

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