Page 27 of The Coach

"You should have seen it before I took the wig off. I totally looked legit." She wiggles her eyebrows for emphasis.

"I bet. How come you didn't go home with someone, like your friends?" It's none of my business, I know it's not, but I want to know the answer anyway.

She gives me an intense look, like I should know the answer to her question, then she sighs, glancing away from me and down at the table, playing with the wig. "Wasn't feeling it, I guess."

"Because of me?" I know I shouldn't push her. It's not fair to even be talking about this, but at the same time, I want to know the answer. Because she's the reason I was at home alone on a Saturday night when I could have been out exploring a new town with Ava—or anyone, really, but I haven't bothered to try doing anything with anyone since I moved here. Even though I really should.

Her gaze comes back to mine with a new intensity. "Maybe?"

She's not making it easy to resist her when she makes it so obvious that she wants more. I pushed and got the answer I wanted, but really, what can I do with that anyway? Nothing. It just makes me feel worse. I need to shut this down before I cross the line. She has made it very clear she won't cross it.

"Come on, let's get you home. You must be exhausted."

"I am, thanks."

The driveto her place is short, and she is unusually quiet. I keep glancing over to her, wanting to ask her if she's okay.

My eyes drop down her body. Her legs go on for days in that short bodysuit thingy she's in, paired with thigh-high boots. It's a teenage dream come true. I always did have a thing for Wonder Woman. Peeling her out of that thing would be sexy as fuck. And after what she went through tonight, it makes me feel like a total creep for even thinking it.

I pull into the driveway of the address she gave me and stop my car, hopping out to walk her in and say goodnight. Not what I want, but that's really all I can do. I'm her coach. Even the thoughts I'm having about her are totally inappropriate. As much as I want to, I can't act on it.

When she makes it to her door, she turns to me and smiles. "Thank you so much for coming to save me. It's probably just a stupid prank or something, but it rattled me, and it's nice to know I can count on you."

"You always can, Andy. Any time of the day or night, if you need me, call, and I will be here. Okay? And please report this to the police. I know you might feel silly doing that, but they need to know what's going on. And block that number so he can't contact you again."

"Thanks, Brad. Yeah, I already blocked it when I was in the diner, that's why I wasn't getting any more messages."

"Good girl."

We stand in silence for a bit. I don't want to let her go. She looks at me like she wants to say something else, but she doesn't. It's her birthday—well, it was, but it's well past midnight now. But I just want to be able to spend it with her. Make her feel better after the shit that went down tonight. She'll never say it, but I bet she's scared to be alone.

"Night, Andy. I hope you had a nice birthday, apart from the weirdness," I offer, not knowing what else to say, when all I want to do is scoop her up, carry her to her bed, and make her birthday one she will never forget, for all the right reasons.

My eyes drop to her lips. I'm so tempted to kiss her. She reaches out and takes my hand. Standing up on her tippy toes, she kisses my cheek. Her hand stays in mine a little longer than it probably should, then she pulls away. "Thanks, Brad. See you on Monday," she whispers, turning toward the door and letting herself in.

I don't follow her in like I want to. I watch her go inside safely, then sigh. Home to my empty house, again.

I walk toward my car reluctantly. I wish I could just go back there and spend the night with her. I know it's what she wants as well. I could see it, every time we've been together over the past few weeks, the chemistry is there buzzing between us. It's not just the fact that we've slept together in the past. There is something here, a connection that you don't just have every day. But for now, we have a major roadblock stopping anything more from happening.

Just as I go to get in my car, I hear her scream. What the fuck? I run back up the driveway and pound on the door for her to let me in.

Chapter Nine

Andy

I close the door sadly.Leaning my forehead against it, wanting so badly to go out there and tell him how desperate I am for him.

This is not how I want my birthday to end. I should be in the arms of the man I literally can't stop thinking about, Brad Swift. He is so close but so far. He was very sweet tonight. I feel terrible he had to come and get me to drive me home, but those messages really freaked me out.

I have been wracking my brain since it started tonight. Who could it be? I've never had any trouble like this before. I'm not like Brad, with fans everywhere I go. Most people have no clue who I am, unless they're a real diehard fan of the Angels, but there aren't many, so until now, I've gone fairly unnoticed.

I dump my bag at the front and head straight for my bedroom. I'm tired as fuck. I just want to cuddle into my nice comfy bed and block out the day I've had. Enjoy the lingering smell of Brad's aftershave or body wash that still clings to me.

Flicking on my bedroom light, I feel it instantly. Something's not right.

I take in my room and a blood-curdling scream leaves my mouth before I have the chance to stop it. My room is completely trashed. I hear banging at the door and jump, my nerves on complete edge.

"Andy, let me in!" Brad's voice calls out to me.

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