Page 179 of The Coach

Drew, the ever-present pain in my ass, smirks. “So, for real, is she your girl? Or is this just another Stallions PR nightmare?”

I grip my beer a little tighter.

Because that question? It gets under my skin.

Because Ivyismine. She might not fully realize it yet. But she is.

Instead of answering, I check my phone under the table.

A text from Ivy.

Ivy: Hey. Hope you’re okay. Looks like…ah…we’re blowing up. Sorry.

I let out a slow breath, my body relaxing slightly.

I type back:

Me: Yeah, baby. Just dealing with dumbasses. Don’t be sorry. We have nothing to hide.

I glance up and see Drew watching me.

“Everything good?” he asks, voice casual.

I down the rest of my beer. “Everything’s great.”

And even though I should be focused on my team, on this season, on winning...

I’m already counting down the days until I see her again.

Chapter Thirty-Three

IVY

It starts small.

A weird glance from the school secretary. A hushed whisper from a few teachers at the copier.

I try to shake it off—until I walk into the teachers’ lounge at lunch, and Lauren practically tackles me.

“Oh my god.” She shoves her phone into my face. “Uh, babe? You’re officially famous.”

My stomach clenches as I grab the phone, my heart already racing.

A sports gossip blog has just dropped an article, complete with a headline that makes me want to throw up:

REPORT: CHICAGO STALLIONS’ HEAD COACH JACKSON KNOX EXPECTING CHILD WITH MYSTERY SCHOOL TEACHER FROM IOWA

My entire body goes cold.

“No. No, no, no.” I shake my head. “How did they even find out?”

Lauren grimaces. “No clue, but everyone in town is probably putting two and two together real fast. Gossip travels at the speed of light these days.”

My fingers tremble as I scroll. The article is full of speculation. No name. No official confirmation. Just a picture of Jackson from Sunday’s game, looking focused and intense on the sidelines. But thecomments—oh god.

“Who’s the chick?”

“No way. Coach Knox is about to be a DILF.”

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