“What’s this about?” Coach asks, waving a finger between the two of us. “I shoulda’ guessed something was up when you had that deer-in-the-headlight look when I suggested Gabe follow you around that first day.”
“We met before either of us knew who the other was,” Gabe explains, taking charge of the situation. I let my shoulders relax when Coach just nods and smirks. “It wasn’t until the first practice that we realized. A whole month of talking and we never discussed our day-jobs or whatever. Then I guess neither one of us really wanted to say anything in case faculty dating students wasn’t allowed.”
Overton shrugs. “Well, I don’t think there are any rules against training staff dating students. Just don’t screw it up and make this awkward for everyone.”
“Got it, Coach.” Gabe responds, then gives me a wink. I roll my eyes and nod at Overton.
“Yes, sir.”
“Alright, well, let’s get to work then.”
I set Owen up at my desk with his toys and coloring while I work. The guys are coming in two at a time and going through a round of tests. It’s more in-depth testing and stretching from what I learned in past jobs and internships, but I get the hang of it after the first one.
They jump on a treadmill first and do a light stress test before coming to either me or Frankie. I start with them doing basic stretches, bending to touch their toes and standing on one foot, and then have them lay on the treatment table.
I make small talk with each of them during this part. Word travels fast through the team and, while I’m either pushing them to stretch their knee to their chest or doing side crunches, they’re prying into my personal life. It’s all in good fun, I know it is, and it’s kind of nice to be able to talk about it. Gabe is right there, waiting his turn and constantly checking on Owen, joking along with them.
When it’s finally Gabe’s turn for his exam, I’m not sure if I should offer for Frankie to do it. I’m still worried about there being some rule against us being together. My Daddy must see the worry on my face, because he steps closer to me and presses his lips against mine softly.
Those in the room with us erupt with cheers, and I can hear footsteps in the hallway too. When Gabe pulls back, he’s smiling ear-to-ear. I’m pretty sure I am too.
“Nothing to worry about, baby.” He brushes a finger down the side of my face before dropping his hands from my body altogether.
“Thank you, Daddy.” I whisper it low enough for no one else to hear or possibly be able to read my lips. “Let’s get started, shall we? Take off your shirt.”
“I’m sure he’s used that line before!” Mason jokes, earning a chuckle from Gabe.
I run my fingers along Gabe’s spine, frowning slightly at the way the vertebrae stick out more than anyone else’s. I know his body is lean and he puts serious hours in at the gym, but I also know that I’ve felt his back plenty of times and this isn’t how he usually feels. He stands back up and moves into the next stretch without a word.
Mason continues to speak. “I’m the unlucky guy that has to share a room with him on away games. The amount of lovey-dovey chat during those phone calls is disgusting, really.”
“You’re just jealous I scored the perfect guy,” Gabe taunts as he lays down on the table. As much as I want to enjoy the playful chirping, my brain is focused on the job. My brain doesn’t like what it sees. “Andmore points than you so far this season.”
There’s a chorus of ‘ooh’s in the room, followed by laughter. Gabe’s body is laid out before me and, as much as I want to jokeand the thought of playing Doctor is in the back of my mind, I pull out my clipboard and make a few notes. His chart shows that he’s dropped almost ten pounds since the beginning of the season.
“Baby?” Warm fingers wrap around my wrist, and I look over the clipboard to meet Gabe’s eyes.
“Sorry, I was just writing some notes so I didn’t forget. Let’s get this finished up.” I lift his leg from the back of his knee and direct him to let me know if anything hurts. I’m careful that no one is within hearing distance when I glance up at his face. “It’s not every day I get to manhandle you like this.”
“Mmm.” Gabe’s eyes close briefly and I don’t know if it’s from the stretching or my words. “You know what I think?”
“What’s that?” I ask, half wondering what he’s about to say. I move to the other side of the table and have him stretch the other leg.
“That I know my sister is free tonight and it’d be easy to convince her to have Owen stay over.”
“Why would—oh.” The heat in his eyes tells me everything he’s thinking. “We can, but only if she says yes without you making her feel guilty.”
A whole night with just my Daddy, especially after a few weeks of having to limit Little time to when we’re alone in the bedroom, sounds like the best idea. My body reacts equally to both thoughts of playing with my toys and having Daddy alone all night.
“I’ll text her when we’re done here,” he says with a bright smile.
***
By the time Frankie and I finish our assessments, it’s lunch time. Owen has since disappeared with a couple of Gabe’s teammatesto keep him entertained. I trust these guys to keep him safe. The way Gabe kind of not-so-subtly threatened them with bodily harm also ensures that not a scratch will be found on my boy. I know my Daddy well. He’s going to take Owen seeing him as a second Daddy seriously.
Gabe is in and out of the room with the others as well. I keep my eye on him and notice that he’s sitting down a lot more or leaning against the nearest surface. I head into Coach’s office with Frankie for a brief meeting before we break for lunch.
“How are we looking?” Overton asks. “Anything we need to focus on.”
