Page 35 of The Way We Win

I realized I’d made a big mistake.

In the daylight with all the kids and their parents around us and my family watching and the boys and everything, I can put up a wall. I can control my emotions. I’m safe.

In the darkness, with only her and me, with her dressed in only a thin cotton shirt that allowed me to see the shape of her full breasts rising and falling with every pant…

The mouthwatering scent of her apple body wash or shampoo or whatever it was, taunted me like forbidden fruit. All the years alone, all the times I’ve wanted her, watched her, hit me hard.

Desire burned like fire in my chest. My dick was a rod in my jeans. I was so close to dragging her into my arms and kissing her.

I had to put her inside her house and close that door.

I wouldn’t let George Powell have a foothold. I wouldn’t let all the whispers of the parents, the accusations that I’ve only helped Austin to get to her be true.

Maybe she’s the reason I noticed him, but Austin can stand on his own, and I won’t create a scandal that could hurt his reputation.

I’m the head coach. The leader. I have to control myself.

I want Austin to have his dream, no questions asked.

Last night, when I got back to my house, he was still asleep on the couch, only Kimmie was curled up asleep at his feet like a little kitten.

Shaking my head, I lifted her carefully and carried her back to her bed. I tucked her in again and went back to put a blanket over Allie’s son before putting myself to bed.

Then the alarm went off too early this morning.

I’d spent the night tossing and turning, wanting her and feeling like I’d only made everything so much worse.

Austin was gone when I dragged my ass to the kitchen, and Kimmie was still asleep. I was dressed and finishing my cup of coffee when Dylan arrived.

“You okay this morning?” Dylan caught my arm, giving it a squeeze. “Everybody was talking about what happened at Cooters & Shooters last night.”

“That’s why I came home.” I put my mug in the sink. “Last thing I needed was to hang around all that gossip.”

“If it makes any difference, we all know the truth.” She filled her own mug of coffee. “Anyone with eyes can see how talented Austin is. George Powell is only making his situation worse. He runs the risk of making Levi an outcast.”

My lungs tensed, and I thought about Austin coming here last night. Dylan’s words were his fear, and to his credit, he didn’t want that to happen.

“Are you going to kick him off the team?” She gazed up at me with those big brown eyes.

I thought about the brother’s chat and what Logan said. Levi’s a talented kid, and he shouldn’t be punished for his father’s lack of self-control.

“No.”

Her shoulders relaxed, and she stepped forward to wrap her arms around my waist. “That’s why you’re the best coach and the best big brother in the world.”

Putting my arms around her, I huffed a laugh, giving her a brief squeeze. “I don’t know about all that, but I’ll judge him on his own merits. Now I’ve got to get to school.”

“We’ll see you in a few hours,” she called after me. “Liv’s coaching the drill team, and they have their first meeting this afternoon. Allie and I are helping her.”

I swallowed the knot in my throat, internally berating myself for the flush in my neck, the uptick of my pulse. It was animmature response. Of course, I’d see Allie again. She works at the school, she works at my family’s restaurant, she’s Austin’s mom.

I’d deal with these feelings the way I always do.

“See you then.” My tone was level, and I headed out the door.

Allie’s pretty face was on my mind the entire short drive, and I pulled into the parking lot right before the rest of the team arrived, just in time to meet Zane on the field and give Edward the thumbs up.

Now I’m exhausted.

---