Page 5 of Coach's Pet

“Coach?” Bennett asks.

“Coach Shay,” I tell him.

“Sorry, Coach Shay, can you stand to the left and be ready just in case?”

I nod and stand to where he points. Bucky tries a few times but isn’t able to get the height with the weight of the suit and how short they are.

“Hey, Bennett,” someone calls from the other side of the gym. They are holding spirit posters for the game tomorrow. “Can you come show us where to hang the signs?”

“Shoot, I forgot about that. Brb. Keep practicing, Bucky!”

Bennett takes off and leaves me alone with the bouncing beaver. Once he’s gone, the two of us look at each other, and as if we agreed on it ahead of time, Bucky stops bouncing and walks to the edge of the trampoline. Before they can get down, their foot catches in the springs at the edge, and they come tumbling in my direction.

My reflexes are still sharp, and I manage to move under them so that I’m the one taking the brunt of the fall as they tumble on top of me. We end up on the floor of the gym, and I groan as Bucky sits up.

In the fall, the head of the mascot has come off and now I’m looking at a woman in a beaver suit straddling me. She must be one of the teachers or a student-teacher from the community college. Her black hair is falling in messy waves around her, and her dark eyes are wide with shock. Her eyes are what let me know she can’t be a student. It’s like they’ve seen the world a hundred times over. She isn’t afraid, but the way she’s looking at me feels like she can see into my soul.

“Are you okay?” I ask, and for some strange reason, I reach up and touch her cheek.

“Yes.” She swallows hard and then licks her lips. “Can you keep a secret?”

“Yes,” I answer without hesitation.

“Good.” She leaps off of me, and before I can say anything else, she grabs the beaver head and runs out of the gym. It’s in the opposite direction as Bennett, so I’m guessing she doesn’t want to get caught ditching him.

Eventually I get to my feet, but I can’t help but think that I was knocked down by the most beautiful beaver I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Chapter Three

CHARLIE

When my alarm goes off, I groan. Today is the day I make an utter fool of myself. Not only do I have to do the assembly, but I have to go to the game too. This is going to be a nightmare, and I have no clue how I’m going to pull this off.

Without prompting, my mind drifts to the new football coach. That man was way too hot to be a teacher or on the school staff. I’d heard some people talking about the new coach. The girls were drooling over his looks, and the guys were talking about how badass he was in the NFL.

I didn’t give it much thought when I overheard the comments. After seeing him up close, I understand the hype. He’s so damn fine, and what did I do? My beaver-wearing ass landed right on top of him.

Of course the first time I’ve got a hot guy between my legs I’m dressed as a beaver. I didn't think it was possible for me to be embarrassed so easily because normally I don’t give a shit. I know that after graduation I’m never going to see these people again. The only thing I’m worried about is doing what I need to so that I can get my diploma and get the hell out of here.

Yesterday I was absolutely mortified, and I hold Bennett responsible for it. I’d lay into him, but he’s actually one of the good guys. I know he’s only trying to help me so that I don’t make a total fool of myself. He’s growing on me too, and it makes me wonder what is wrong with me. I already have one too many friends with Tins.

She and I ended up having a handful of classes together, and in every one she made sure to take the seat right next to me. She even managed to find me at lunch after I was unable to evade her.

After a while, I ceased my efforts to avoid her, and I now believe that we are best friends. At least that’s what she has programmed into her phone. The girl texts me at all hours. Okay, I have to admit some of the memes and TikToks she sends are funny. Which is why I’ve decided to keep her.

The plus side to wearing a uniform every day is that I don’t have to think about what to put on every single morning. Today I spent some time on my hair and put on a little makeup. While I’m doing it, my mind drifts to Coach Shay, and I’m annoyed at myself. After that, I rush through the rest of my morning routine.

When I hit the bottom step, I smell coffee and then make my way to the kitchen. Uncle Callum is there and already dressed in one of his usual suits. He’s been MIA lately.

“Hey, kiddo.” He greets me like that all the time even though I’m eighteen.

"Morning." I nod back and head to the coffee maker. He’s already poured mine into a cup that I can take with me.

“How are things?”

“Things are good,” I say automatically.

“I haven’t gotten one call from the school, and you’ve been back for a few weeks now.” He lifts a brow.

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