Page 40 of Coach Me
“Slow down,” Dex huffs, but I don’t think it quite registers with Miles. “Will, it’s straight back to the living room. Miles cleared the spot he wanted this morning.”
“Perfect,” Will says as he walks right in.
I, on the other hand, still for just a moment. I meant what I said to Will, I do think this will be good for me, but walking in also feels really weird. I’m going to be living with a guy for the first time ever—minus my brother, he doesn’t count.
“You okay?” Dex asks.
I snap out of my trance. “Yeah, I’m good.”
Well, here’s to figuring myself out, I guess.
Stepping into Dex’s apartment, my steps slow as I reach the edge of the living room. Windows make up the entirety of the far wall that looks over an incredible view and a balcony that I fear Dex may never get me off of on nights where we’re not traveling.
Even with the elevated aspects of a penthouse, Dex’s place feels nice. It feels like a home, despite knowing that he and Miles spend more time in hotel rooms than here. It still gives this well-lived feeling. The living room is full of warm creams and browns, and there are some of Miles’s toys on the floor to really hone in on that family feel.
“Is this all you brought?” Dex raises an eyebrow as he reaches for my suitcase. “A duffle bag, a suitcase, and the turtles?”
“Yeah—well, there’s still another suitcase in Will’s car. I just thought I’d pack for the two weeks' travel, plus have some necessities here, then bring some more stuff later.” I shrug.
Does he think it’s weird I don’t have a ton of stuff?
“My sister is still staying in our apartment fora couple months, so there’s really no rush. You might decide I’m not a good fit after spending two weeks with me,” I joke, hoping to lighten the mood, but Dex doesn’t laugh or even crack a small smile.
Maybe my leaving in two weeks isn’t as much of a joke as I think it could be. Being fired from my second job might really send me into a spiral, but even if Dex doesn’t like me, I know I can do this job. I just have to prove it to him.
Dex clears his throat. Yeah, that’s a good sign. “Come on, I’ll show you your room.”
My thin smile is the only response I can muster.
Glancing at Will, he’s holding up Miles so he can look up over the tank while he points out each turtle. A more than thin smile tugs at my mouth at that.
Dex continues through the living room and as he starts down a hall, he points to the first door we come to. “Miles’s room is this door here, and the next one is his playroom. There’s an office space on the other end I’m getting cleaned out. I figured once we get everything situated we can make that into his classroom. Just let me know what you’ll need and we’ll get it.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. With all the traveling, I’m sure we’ll be used to making makeshift classrooms.”
Dex doesn’t look back and his voice remains just as neutral as can be. “As a teacher, I thought you might like to have a space for that. No one’s using it, so why not you?”
I open and close my mouth. This feels like it might be a touchy subject, and you know what, why not me? He wants to give me a classroom, so who am I to argue? “Okay, I’ll let you know what we’ll need.”
“Great,” Dex clips as he stops to open the last door on the left. “This is you.”
A moment ago I was silent by choice, but now I’m silent due to the view in this freaking room. I knew it looked incredible in the living room but to also have it in my room—I’m completely mesmerized.
Aimlessly walking up to the window that takes up the entire wall, my voice squeaks but I don’t care. “Ah, is that Blues Stadium?”
“Yeah, can’t see the field, but I imagine any night we do fireworks, the view from here is pretty cool.” Dex’s tone still sounds completely uninterested, but a more excited child’s voice follows.
“And this is Lucie’s room!” Miles yells, and as I look at him he’s got his arms outstretched as if he were showcasing a grand art piece to my brother.
Will lets out a low whistle. “Nice new view, Luce. I guess this puts your apartment to shame, huh?”
I chuckle. The penthouse in Boston compared to an apartment complex in Rowley…yeah, maybe a bit. “In a way, but yours is still greatly appreciated and loved.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Will drops my duffle bag onto my new bed that I’m just now really paying attention to. Will seems to notice the bedding too, because he says what I was just thinking. “Hey, yellow’s your favorite color.”
“It is?” Miles practically radiates excitement at this revelation.
I chuckle. “Sure is, what a happy coincidence.”
