Page 18 of Stalked By the Coach

The gym erupts into chaos. But their reactions fade away, and all I see is Lydia. Her wide eyes, the way her lips part.

I clear my throat, and the noise subsides. "Lydia is not just my love, but my everything. The missing piece that makes me whole. Which is why..."

I pause for dramatic effect, heart pounding. This is the moment. No turning back now.

"I'm officially resigning from my job and asking Lydia Hartman to marry me."

The gym falls silent. Then a lone figure in the front row begins clapping. Others join in, whistles and cheers rising in a tidal wave of sound.

It's like Lydia is in shock. She's frozen in place, and all I can think about is getting to her. Waves of shocked students part as I make my way to her.

"Lydia," I take her face in my hands, feeling whole once again having her this close to me. "Say yes, baby. Marry me. Nothing matters without you."

"But your job..." she begins, her lips trembling.

"Fuck my job. I can get any job. Hell, I can start my own coaching gig. Fuck this school. And we'll get you to the Olympics, baby. I'm going to make sure all your dreams come true. So what do you say, honey?"

She stares at me for a long, terrifying moment. I don't know what I'll do is she refuses me. Hell, probably throw her over my shoulder cave-man style and kidnap her.

"Yes," she whispers, tears sliding down her cheeks. Joy explodes in my chest, hot and potent. "One thousand times, yes."

I cup her face and kiss her deeply as the applause reaches a frenzy around us. We're buffeted on a sea of joy and goodwill, but in this moment, we are the only two people in the world.

I stand, taking Lydia's hand again and raising our joined hands in triumph. The applause is deafening, a wave of sound and support washing over us.

"There's one more thing." I wait for the noise to die down, a hush of anticipation falling over the room. "I'm thrilled to announce that Lydia has been chosen as a semifinalist for the local track and field championships. This is the first step on her journey to Olympic gold!"

The crowd explodes, a chaotic blend of cheers, whistles and stomping feet. Lydia gasps and blushes, ducking her head even as a radiant smile curves her lips. I've been waiting to tell her this big news in person. She's made it, and I couldn't be prouder of her. All the long hours of training, the sweat and determination, have paid off. Just like our love, her dreams are within reach.

I bend to press a kiss to her hair, so damned proud of this woman by my side. She glances up, eyes shining with unshed tears, and the love and gratitude I see there steals my breath.

Our story isn't over. It's just beginning.

EPILOGUE

Lydia

The crackof the starting pistol still echoes in my ears as I burst forward, spikes biting into the track. The roar of the crowd fades into white noise. All that matters is the finish line ahead, the long strides of my competitors at my sides.

My heart pounds, legs churning, arms pumping. The world narrows to the track, the finish ahead. Every muscle in my body screams but I push forward. I can't lose. Not now. Not when so many are watching.

The finish draws closer, a red ribbon stretching across the track. My chest burns as I gasp for breath, vision tunneling. The runners at my side fade from view.

Five more strides. Four. Three.

I lunge, my chest crossing the finish line first. A split second later, a boom of noise crashes over me—cheers and applause rolling across the stands in a wave.

I stumble to a stop, chest heaving as I suck in lungfuls of air. The roar of the crowd echoes in my ears, a wordless chant of victory. I close my eyes, relief and triumph warring within me.

I won.

When I open my eyes again, the first thing I see is Burke pushing through the crowd, heading straight for me. His face is lit with a smile, eyes glowing with pride.

He reaches me and pulls me into his arms without a word. I cling to him, heart pounding against his chest. His embrace is warm, strong, soothing.

"I knew you could do it," he murmurs against my hair. He gives me a little shake, grin widening. "I told you, didn't I?"

I laugh, the sound muffled against his shoulder. "You did."

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