Page 17 of Coach's Pet

It makes me smile as I think about what to text him back. Is he going to sneak into my room tonight? Today, when I wouldn't answer his question, he came and found me in the library. An idea sparks, and I pull up the audiobook I've been listening to. I turn it on before I change into my gardening clothes and boots. This will keep me busy so that I don’t text him right away.

I spend a few hours in the garden before bringing in some of the vegetables I picked. After that, I cut some flowers and place them in a vase in my bedroom along with a bouquet for the dining room table.

It’s almost impossible not to look at my phone, but I manage to stay strong as I shower and change. Before I leave my room, I double-check that my window is unlocked before going to the kitchen to make dinner.

“Hey, kiddo,” Callum says as I place the lasagna on the table. He looks exhausted. I'm not sure what he does for work, but I know he's not really allowed to talk about it. Either that or he doesn't want to. I don't pry because he doesn't typically do it to me. He'll ask a few questions to make sure I’m okay and then move on.

“Just in time,” I tell him.

“It smells good. Let me go change.”

“Sounds good.” I finish setting the table, and when Callum gets back, we dig right in.

“How’s school?” he asks after a comfortable silence.

“Same old, same old.”

“And the new friend?”

“Still like her.”

“That’s good.” He chuckles. “Damn, your food always hits the spot.”

“Thanks.” I smile, taking pride in my cooking.

“You want to play chess tonight?” he asks, and my gaze darts to my phone. It’s resting face down on the table next to me. “Are you waiting for a call?”

“No,” I say too quickly.

“Are you sure you aren’t waiting on a call from a boy?” Callum raises an eyebrow.

“Nooo.” I laugh, and it sounds nervous. Shay isn’t technically a boy, and I’m not waiting for a call. I’m wondering how many texts I’ve gotten since I didn’t respond. That shouldn’t count as a lie. Right?

“A girl, then?”

“No, Uncle Callum.” I shake my head. “I’m strictly dickly.”

“Jesus.” He almost chokes on his bite of lasagna.

"I think I'll skip chess tonight,” I say, getting back on track. I can tell he's tired, and I'm dying to go to my room and get into bed.

"All right. I’ll clean the kitchen," he offers.

"Deal," I agree, and we chat a little more as we finish dinner.

Once he’s cleared the dishes, I tell him goodnight and head off to my room. It’s a good thing my bedroom is on the other side of the house from his, and I know he won’t come this way. He’s always been good about giving me privacy, and tonight I’m hoping it’s to my advantage.

I shut my bedroom door and then lock it behind me. The room is almost dark except for my bedside lamp, and I take a deep breath as nervous excitement fills me.

As I strip off my clothes and debate what to wear, I wonder if I should wear anything at all.

Chapter Ten

COACH SHAY

The light went out in her room a while ago, but I waited. I never thought of myself as a patient man, but tonight I’ve held on to a restraint I didn’t know I possessed.

When she didn’t answer my text earlier, I got worried. I was trying to have practice while thinking about her non-stop and afraid something could have happened to her. It was all I could do to finish on time and not tell everyone to forget it and go home. For the first time ever, I was the one to leave the field before the other coaches. I drove straight to Charlotte's house, and when I spotted her in the back working in the garden, I breathed a sigh of relief.

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