How long have I waited for someone to say that to me? And how long have I always wanted to hear it from her?
You’re going places.
Everything I’ve always wanted, turns out, is right here in Christmas. Or at least it is now that Francesca is back. I don’t need to go anywhere else.
She’s going to hate me once I tell her I got the head coaching job and that I’m leaving. I wanted to do it last night but once she saw the tattoo, and then we fucked, I couldn’t. Something was different last night between us. I’ve never felt it before, and it scared me a little. It didn’t feel like fucking, it felt like more.
More.
I’m always looking for more, right? I never had enough, never felt good enough. My whole life has been spent looking for more of anything that would make me forget, even temporarily. But how do you know when you’ve found the most? That there is no more than whatyou have right in front of you. That the girl you’re holding is the most you’ll ever need?
I finally got the job she worked so hard to help me get. If we’re honest with each other, I don’t think we ever thought this would work. I didn’t think I would get noticed enough to be offered a new coaching position, let alone, a head coaching position at a prestigious college.
It goes to show how great of a PR rep Chess really is. I think she’s great at everything she does.
I get a text to grab the team and make it down to staging where the floats are. The parade kicks off at two in the afternoon. Events have been planned all morning and will continue into the night. But the parade breaks up the day and then gives the town a chance to spend time with the team and the Grand Marshall.
Me.
It’s the last thing I want to do. I want to talk with Chess. Figure this out. Maybe she’ll come with me? Maybe we can go together, and she can do PR from the new college. Not only has she got me noticed, but she’s making a name for herself, despite the attempts by Nick and Ava to kill her reputation.
It makes me want to get my hands on Nick even more.
And while we’re at it, Tony too. I still haven’t confronted him about the contracts, but I’ve already decided to cut him loose. I don’t need him to maintain my contracts. Chess can do it. I hope she will anyway, once I ask her. And if she doesn’t? I’m fine with that too. I know enough to get myself by.
There’s a big change of life happening right in front of me and I’m going to grab on with both hands and go along for the ride. It’s important that I prioritize all the important things in life. I need to make it right with Adam. I need to tell Chess how I feel about her.
I love her.
There.
I said it.
I’ve known it for a while but couldn’t admit it out loud, even if just to myself. Why? Because I’m scared as fuck. I’m a chicken, a coward, just like Adam said. I was in hiding. And looking back now, I have no idea why.
I’m stupid in love with her. So, if we’re going to do this, we’re going all the way. Chess is it for me.
We’re directed onto the float, the boys whooping it up with excitement.
“Coach! This is so cool! Are all these people here for us?” Connor asks.
I move towards the middle of the float, there’s a bench they took from our field, fake grass, mini goal posts and Christmas lights are strung all around it. There’s even a scoreboard with a blowout score of our future hopeful win playoff game next week. I grab a spot next to Jameson on the makeshift bench.
“They are,” I smile. “They’re as excited for the playoffs to advance just as much as we are.”
I hear the horn signaling the start of the parade, there’s music coming from the different floats, and we begin a slow crawl down main street. We’re the last float to arrive at the grandstand so we have a little bit of time.
I feel my phone buzz in my pocket, and I take it out to see a selfie of Chess with Billy. She’s blowing a kiss to me and he’s flipping me off.
Me: beauty and the Billy.
Chess: lol he insisted on the picture
Me: it’s cute. You look beautiful.
Chess: I’ll see you at the end of the line, Gage
Me: I wouldn’t miss it.
