“Yes, sir.” No hesitation. No doubt.
Coach shifted in his chair, hand scratching at his beard like he was unsure of what to do next. His eyes pinched, lips pulled into a hard frown.
“Coach,” I sighed. “It wasn’t my intention to hide being with your daughter. I was respecting Emmie’s wish of keeping it between us until the two of you…figured some things out. She was going to tell you after today.”
When he didn’t say anything, I continued.
“We should have told you sooner, and for that, I apologize. But,” I cleared my throat, sitting up straighter, “I won’t apologize for being with her. She’s an adult, and whether you agree or not, this is something we’ve both chosen.”
The words settled between us as I sat there, jaw locked and bracing for his response. Like what I told Emmie last week, if he didn’t approve, it changed nothing between us. But for her sake, I hoped her father would be okay with it.
“I would have appreciated being told before now.” He gave me a pointed look. “But Emmie is an adult and can make her own decisions. She doesn’t need me meddling, even if I think she can do better.”
I huffed a laugh, not offended in the slightest. “Trust me, Emmie could do much better than me.”
“At least you can agree.”
“From the moment we met, I knew she was out of my league. Why she’s with me of all people, I don’t know, but I’mnot about to question it.” Coach nodded along in agreement, which should have offended me, but I meant it when I said Emmie was out of my league.
When he didn’t say anything, I decided to stay quiet and let him process everything on his own. Leaving Coach to his thoughts, I sat back in my seat, pulling my phone out once more. I fired off a quick text to Jake and Perry.
Mateo: Coach is here, and he found out about Emmie and me. SOS!
It only took them seconds to respond, which I appreciated.
Perry: Oh, shit! Is he pissed? Did he hit you? What's happening now?
Jake: How did he take it?
Jake’s was more of a loaded question, but I wasn’t entirely sure how Coach was working through it.
Mateo: He’s…quiet. I almost shit my pants when I saw him standing next to me. He seemed upset and angry at first, but now he’s just sitting here not saying anything. What do I do?
Oh how I wished Emmie was next to me for this. She could at least be a barrier between her father and me. Where the hell was Erin?
Jake: I say just leave him be for now. When he wants to talk, he will. Probably has a lot to sort through.
Perry: I agree. Plus, he’s probably waiting to be somewhere private to beat the shit out of you.
I groaned at Perry’s text
Mateo: Not helping, Perry.
Perry: Sorry.
I shook my head at his message. Thankfully, as I put my phone down, Erin’s familiar voice came from next to me.
“Is it okay to sit down now?” Erin stood in front of her seat, arms filled with two water bottles, her slushy, and what looked to be a giant hot dog.
“Everything is good.” I sent her a pleading look to never leave again. Her brown eyes flicked between Coach and me, her eyebrow raised.
“I got you two water,” Erin eventually said.
“Thanks.” I quickly grabbed them, passing one to Coach, who gave a silent nod in thanks.
Erin bent her head toward me, whispering out of the corner of her mouth. “How did he take it?”
“Uh…okay?” I glanced over to find Coach sitting there stiffly, eyes forward.
