Page 16 of Stalked By the Coach

"I don't believe you." Rick's eyes narrow, seeing right through my lie. "The evidence against you is damning. If you don't come clean now, I'll have no choice but to report this to the school board. Your career will be over, and Lydia's future will be in jeopardy. Now tell me the truth, or face the consequences."

His threat hits me like a punch to the gut. I can't let that happen. Lydia's future is too important, her talent too precious, to throw away over our mistake.

I take a deep breath and prepare to do the hardest thing I've ever had to do: sacrifice my heart to save the woman I love.

* * *

Lydia

My palms are slick with sweat as I pace the hallway outside Rick's office. Every second that ticks by feels like an eternity, my imagination conjuring worst-case scenarios of what might be happening behind those closed doors.

A group of students walk by, their curious glances and hushed whispers making it clear they've heard the rumors. My face burns with humiliation as I avoid their judging stares, a painful lump forming in my throat.

How did things spiral out of control so quickly? We were always so careful, meticulous in our deception. Now everything we've worked for is crumbling around us, our secret affair threatening to destroy Burke's career and ruin my future.

I slump against the wall, no longer able to hold back my tears. They stream down my cheeks as panic and despair consume me. I'm afraid of what comes next, afraid of losing the one thing that makes me feel alive.

Most of all, I'm afraid of being alone again.

The door to Rick's office creaks open, and I straighten abruptly. Burke steps out, his expression unreadable, and for a moment we just stare at each other in silence.

Burke strides toward me, his eyes never leaving my face. I brace myself for the inevitable goodbye, for him to tell me it was a mistake and we can't see each other anymore.

Instead, he grabs my hand and pulls me along after him. "We need to talk," is all he says, his tone urgent. I follow without protest, too stunned to ask questions.

He leads me into the locker room, quickly checking to ensure we're alone before locking the door behind us. Then he turns to me, cupping my face in his hands, and the raw emotion in his gaze nearly brings me to my knees.

"It's going to be okay," he whispers, brushing away the tears on my cheeks.

"What?" I stare at him, confused. "But I thought—"

"Rick knows there's something going on between us, but he has no solid proof. As long as we're careful, he can't do anything." Burke wraps his arms around me, holding me close against his chest. "I'm not giving up on you, Lydia. I don't care what it takes—you're worth fighting for."

Relief and joy flood my senses as I cling to him. He's not leaving me. We're not over. A breathless laugh escapes me as I bury my face in his neck, breathing in his familiar scent.

"I love you," I whisper, my heart swelling with emotion. "I love you so much, Burke."

"And I love you." He kisses the top of my head, his embrace tightening around me. "Everything will be okay. I promise."

In this moment, wrapped in his arms, I can almost believe that. As long as we have each other, nothing else matters. We'll get through this.

* * *

As the day progresses, the rumors about our relationship intensify. Students whisper behind their backs, and some even confront me directly, adding to my stress and anxiety.

Everywhere I go, eyes follow me. Whispers and giggles erupt into silence as I pass by, only to start up again once I'm out of earshot. It's maddening. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks with each new wave of gossip, my hands curling into fists at my sides.

Some are bolder, like the track team. They don't even try to hide their snide comments and pointed looks during practice. A few have even approached me directly, asking invasive questions about Coach Thompson and me with sly smirks on their faces.

I try to ignore them, but it's no use. Their words cut into me, sharp as knives, leaving wounds that ache and bleed. I don't know how much more of this I can take before I break.

Burke notices my distress, of course, but there's little he can do to comfort me in public. We have to be careful. So he watches me with worried eyes and gives me subtle nods of encouragement, silently reminding me that this will pass. That we'll get through this together.

It's the only thing keeping me going. His love and support. The promise of being alone again, away from prying eyes, wrapped up in his embrace.

But this is all taking its toll on me. Burke and I are even more careful about avoiding any public displays of affection and keeping our interactions strictly professional during practice. We hope that by doing so, we can quell the rumors and lessen the scrutiny.

But the next day, my anxiety spikes when I overhear two teachers discussing the rumors in the teachers' lounge.

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