“I told you it would’ve been better to tell him before we hit the road,” Steve says. “You broke him.”
David’s amused expression falters. “You’re going to stay with us, aren’t you? That fresh perspective of yours is the edge we need in shaping our guys to be the country’s top players.”
“I—yes,” I manage. “Yes. Sorry, I’m—I wasn’t expecting this.”
Steve shakes me by the shoulders. “Relax, kid.”
Too many thoughts and emotions hit me at once to decipher. Happiness that I get to stay in Heston Lake. Eagerness to continue growing into someone this team can rely on.
Most of all, I want to tell Eve. I almost whip out my phone to tell her. The itch to race back to the hotel skitters throughout me.
“Thank you. This job is where I want to be.”
“Good,” David says.
Theo and Alex hoist the cooler of Gatorade, dumping it on the head coach. It drenches him and splashes on me and Steve.David barks in surprise. Their laughter is infectious. I swipe droplets from my face with a wide grin.
I reach for Cameron, dragging him into a hug. A laugh overflowing with relief slips out. Easton piles on by throwing himself at us. Then Theo, Alex, and Jake join. I’ve never felt closer to a team than this moment.
“Thanks, coach,” Cameron says.
The others echo him until they’re chantingKincaid! Kincaid! Kincaid!I’m so proud of them, and fucking honored to be their coach.
After things wrap up, the post-game press conference goes by in a blur. David warns the players to behave when we finally release them. At last, I’m on my way to the hotel.
The minute I unlock my door, I call Eve on FaceTime. I’m so swept up in tugging my tie free and riding the high of my good news that I don’t think about it.
“Hey,” she answers breathlessly when the video call connects. “Is everything okay?”
She blinks owlishly as if she just woke up, rubbing her face. I’m distracted for a moment, the buttons on my shirt left half undone because I’m wishing I could be there to wrap her in my arms.
“Yeah, it’s all good.” I’m out of breath and buzzing with energy. “I just got back to the hotel. We won and I wanted to tell you.”
I can’t wipe the grin off my face. Haven’t been able to since David officially offered me the assistant coaching job.
“I saw. Well, I guessed it would be their game. I was watching the stream, but I fell asleep in the middle of third period when we were up in points.”
My gaze softens. I sit on the bed, drinking her in.
“Sorry if I woke you.”
“It’s okay.” She sighs with a sleepy smile. “It’s nice to talk to you. See your face. Hear your voice.”
“Yeah. I know what you mean.” My throat bobs with a thick swallow. “After the game, I was talking to your dad. I wanted you to be the first person to hear it.”
She’s the only one who will get what this means to me. The only one who understands why I haven’t put down roots.
She props herself up on her pillows. “What is it?”
“I’m staying in Heston Lake. He said the job is mine if I want it. Permanently.”
She lights up. “Cole! That’s amazing. Congratulations.”
The same weightless feeling as earlier returns at her heartfelt response. I drag my fingers through my hair a few times.
“It’s still sinking in that I get to keep being a coach for Heston U.”
“You’re awesome at it. I’m not surprised. Hey.” She waits until I meet her gaze. “You’ve earned this.”
