“I realized I like belonging to someone. Having someone steady at my side. Someone to come home to after a long day.”
My voice doesn’t waver.
“I like knowing there’s one person I would do anything for. And knowing she would do the same for me.”
I pause.
“So with all due respect, I’m not that man anymore.”
Coach’s eyes sharpen.
“I have watched men like you for thirty years,” he says. “Talented. Rich. Untouchable.”
His voice remains calm, controlled.
“They do not want commitment. Their career is what matters most. They enjoy the freedom of being alone.”
The implication hangs in the air.
And the wreckage they leave behind.
“I don’t shy away from commitment,” I say quietly.
I reach for Talia’s hand.
She threads her fingers through mine immediately.
His gaze drops to our joined hands. Then returns to my face.
I take a steady breath.
“In fact,” I say, “we have something to tell you.”
Talia’s grip tightens.
Coach’s expression doesn’t change.
He looks between us once.
Then says, flat and without humor, “I hope no one is pregnant.”
Talia makes a small choking sound.
“No,” I answer calmly. “No one is pregnant.”
“But we wanted to tell you, that we got married.”
The fork in Talia’s other hand slips against her plate with a sharp clink.
Coach doesn’t move.
Doesn’t blink.
For a second, I wonder if he even heard me.
“It was private,” I continue. “Small. It was just the two of us. But we wanted you to be the first person to know.”
The room is so quiet I can hear Talia’s breathing.
