Page 77 of Scoring with the Coach's Daughter

She blinks, stunned. “Jake?—”

“Just come,” I interrupt, my voice rough. “See where it goes.”

She’s shaking her head before I even finish. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“Yes, I do.”

She turns away, gripping the edge of the counter like it’s the only thing holding her up.

“It’s safer here,” she whispers.

My stomach clenches. “Safer?”

She nods, still not looking at me. “I know this place. I know how to live here.” She swallows hard. “I know how to behere.”

I exhale slowly, stepping behind her but not touching her. “And you don’t think you could be with me?”

She turns then, her eyes searching mine. “Jake, I don’t belong in your world.”

I frown. “What the hell are you talking about?”

She lets out a soft, frustrated breath, gesturing vaguely. “Your friends. Your career. The spotlight. I don’t fit into that. You think I don’t know the kind of women you’ve been with?” She shakes her head. “I’m not them, Jake. I’m never going to be them.”

Something inside me cracks.

I grab her hand before she can pull away. “Good,” I say, voice rough. “I don’t want them. I want you.”

She blinks, her throat working in overtime and I swear she might cry.

I squeeze her fingers. “You think I give a damn about any of that? You think I want some perfect, polished version of a life I don’t even care about anymore?” I shake my head. “I want a life that has you in it.”

Her breath hitches.

I search her face. “So, tell me the truth, Sam.” I tighten my grip, my thumb brushing over the back of her hand. “Are you really afraid I’ll leave?” My voice drops lower. “Or are you afraid to take a chance on something you want?”

Her lips part, but no sound comes out.

I see the war in her eyes. The part of her that wants to believe me. The part of her that’s still holding back.

She pulls her hand away.

“I knew this was a mistake,” she whispers.

Andfuck, that hurts.

I take a step back, the air is knocked clean out of my lungs.

She presses a hand to her mouth like she can’t believe she just said it.

I nod slowly, my chest tight. “Right.”

“Jake—”

“No, I get it.” I rake a hand through my hair. “You don’t trust this. You don’t trust me to not be like your ex. You’re blaming me for him walking out on you. But isn’t it better it ended? He wasn’t right of you, I am. I’m right here Sam. I’m right in front of you.”

Her face crumbles. “It’s not about him?—”

“Yes, it is.” I shake my head. “You think I’m temporary. And no matter what I say, you don’t believe that I wantthis. That I wantyou.”

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