19
Jake
Istopped at the gas station to grab some drinks before heading over to the fields for Rey’s soccer practice. The place was just as packed as I’d expected, with only a few available spaces in the parking lot. I’d driven by it several times while on duty, and each time it had been just as busy as it was now. The clinic must be well loved, to have this kind of support.
My palms were sweaty as I stepped out, my heart beating a little too fast. I had no idea which field Reyes was on, and with this many people here, I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to find him. The text I’d sent an hour ago asking where I should meet him had so far gone unanswered
“You’re Coach Rey’s friend, aren’t you?” a boy asked me. He had dark brown hair and equally dark brown eyes. I thought I recognized him, but tiny humans all kind of looked the same to me. “I saw you a few days ago. Outside the bakery.”
It clicked that this was the kid Rey had talked to when we had cinnamon rolls at The Puffed Puffin.
“Oh. Right. Yes, I am,” I confirmed. “Do you know where he is?”
The boy smiled and nodded, taking my hand in a firm hold. I had to resist the urge to pull away as he started to drag me through the crowds. About a minute later, we reached the furthest fields where a group of kids were lined up stretching. I saw Rey immediately, in the same red shirt he’d worn at the fundraiser and athletic pants that did delicious things to his ass. His hair wasn’t tied back as I’d expected, instead falling down to his jaw. Damn, he looked good.
The kid dropped my hand and quickly ran off to join them.
“Sorry I’m late, Coach!” he yelled.
Reyes turned, giving the boy a high five as he ran by. When he noticed me standing on the sidelines, a huge grin spread over his face, sending ripples of joy through me. We’d talked on the phone twice yesterday, but it wasn’t the same as seeing him. Rey had been right last night. I actually did miss him.
He reached me in about five long strides. “Hi.”
“Hey.” I smiled.
“What’s that?”
“Oh!” I held open the bag with the drinks. “Wasn’t sure which flavor you like, so I got two. You choose. I’ll have the other.”
Reyes peered in the bag at the sports drinks before glancing back up at me. “You didn’t need to do that, but thank you.”
“Red or blue?” I asked.
“Blue.”
As soon as he opened the bottle and began drinking, I had to tear my eyes away. The way his throat constricted as he swallowed was almost too much, making it damn near impossible not to want to taste it again.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, watching the kids warm up on the field. “Hey Harris!” he called. I recognized the blond-haired boy from the hardware store. “Why don’t you lead Peas in a Pod today?”
I had no clue what that meant, but Harrison’s excitement was electric. “Yes! Thank you, Coach!”
“Peas in a Pod?” I asked him.
He chuckled. “It’s just a play we’re learning. The kids only get to lead when they show they’re thinking of their team more than themselves.”
I nodded. “Nice way to build teamwork. Good job, Coach,” I teased.
He held my gaze for a beat before handing me the bottle. “I really am glad you’re here, Jake. I’m thinking about taking Rome up on his offer for a full-time position.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise. “You are?”
“Yeah. Maybe. I don’t know yet. It feels like a good fit though. Anyway, the red chair over there is mine if you want to sit down.”
He gestured to a chair that was surrounded by a bag of extra soccer balls and all of the kids’ gear before patting me on the back and running back onto the field. I was too stunned by what he’d said to reply. Reyes was thinking aboutstaying?Shit. The thought was making me feel a little nauseous.
Reyes began directing his team through the last few warm-ups while I made my way down the side of the field. There were a few parents along the sidelines, some in chairs of their own, while others were just standing around. Most of them were glancing down at their phones, busying themselves until something more interesting happened on the field, but a few were watching me with curious eyes.
When I reached the chair Reyes had pointed to, I discovered a notebook with the HotShots logo resting on top of it, as well as a few other things that made it very obviouswhosechair it was. Other than the pat on the back, Reyes hadn’t touched me. He had, however, stood closer to me than a friend would have, making it far too easy for people to draw their own conclusions about us.
