“Oh nice, that sounds like fun.”
“So where are you from originally?”
“Sorry, Coach,” Jaxon apologizes.
“What is your problem?” Ariella asks him. “She’s making conversation. There is nothing wrong with her questions. It’s not like she’s asking him anything private.”
“Yeah, Jaxon,” I add, tilting my head to the side, “it’s not like I’m asking him about his dating life.”
“I mean, it looks like it’s headed that way!” he snaps, making me laugh and then I hear a chuckle come from Zane.
“Oh, he can laugh,” I tease Zane and he looks at me. “You’ve been pretty dry, and a little bit rude.”
His back goes up. “Tori,” Jaxon hisses.
“What?” I ask. “He hasn’t asked me one question.”
“That’s because he’s minding his own business.” Jaxon sticks up for Zane and I just shrug. “So, Zane, how do you like coaching?”
“It’s different,” he answers me. “Got some things to get used to but it’s coming along.”
“The guys are loving the new blood,” Jaxon interjects. I lift my eyebrows and smile proudly at him, especially when I see his eyes light up with the acknowledgment.
“See how great this conversation is?” I pretend to flip my hair by my ear. “Again, you’re welcome.”
“We see things differently,” Jaxon refutes as he bites his chicken, and Jagger starts to get fussy in his highchair.
“I’ll take him,” I offer, reaching for him and he turns away from me.
“I will have you know, young man,” I say as I pull him out and he whines, “there are men out there who would love to have my hands on them.” I swear I hear Zane start to cough, and I look over at him and see his glass of water at his mouth. “You okay there, Coach?” I ask him, using his title.
“Yes,” he replies, his jaw getting tight.
“Don’t you have to go?” Jaxon asks me as he puts his fork down.
“Nope, this is fun,” I chirp, getting up with Jagger on my lap. “Isn’t this fun?” I ask Jagger, who puts his finger in his mouth. “I think he wants a bottle,” I suggest, walking over to the kitchen and spotting Jaxon’s phone. I put it in my back pocket as I make Jagger a bottle and then hand him back to Ariella. “I’ll be back, I have to use the ladies’ room.” I turn and hope Jaxon doesn’t see his phone is missing. Getting into the bathroom, I open up his contacts and head down to Zane’s name, repeating the number to myself four times before going and texting it to myself. Once it goes through, I delete the text thread from the phone and then head out.
“Okay, as much fun as this is,” I say, slipping his phone back onto the counter, “I’m going to head out. I have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Finally,” Jaxon exhales. “Goodbye.”
“Zane,” I say his name and he looks over at me. I see his short sleeves are tight around his biceps. “It was so nice meeting you.” I smile at him. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.” I tilt my head to the side and he just nods at me. “A man of few words,” I mumble to myself. I turn to kiss Jagger on the cheek. “Good night, my sweet boy,” I say as Ariella gets up with him.
“I’m going to go and put him to bed.” She looks at the guys. “Leave the plates, I’ll clean up when I come down.”
She walks me out as I grab my bag I tossed at the door. “The coach looks like he’s a barrel of laughs,” I say to her, and she rolls her lips.
“He’s very, very serious,” she whispers. “It’s like his whole world is his job from what Jaxon says.”
“That’s sad.” I look back at the hallway. “He looks like he needs a fun night.” While we fuck over and over again, I think to myself but don’t say it. “I’ll see you Saturday night,” I tell her. “My parents are coming down for a spot visit, sort of like a wellness check, which should be so much fun.”
“I thought they were saving the trip this weekend for three weeks from now when it’s the opening game,” she says.
“Well, either way, I’ll be here Saturday because I have no life,” I joke as I walk out and head to my car. For the second time since I’ve met him, I look over my shoulder, waiting for him to chase after me, and again, I’m left with him not fucking chasing after me.
I get into the car and pull out of the driveway, looking over at the SUV that is parked by the sidewalk. I’m tempted to leave a note on his car to call me, but I think my original plan is going to work better.
When I get home, I unlock the door and step in, taking off my heels. Then I walk into the kitchen, dumping my purse on the little counter before heading over to my bedroom. The two-bedroom house is perfect for me, and it was just my luck that Lexi was renting it out after she moved in with Kirby. It’s directly on the beach and comes fully furnished. I couldn’t ask for anything else.
