I take a breath, suddenly aware of how much this announcement will change things. "I got a job offer today. Head coaching position at Westfield Academy."
The silence that follows feels heavy. Jack's jaw tightens slightly. Noah's fingers drum against his knee. Mia's face goes pale.
"Westfield?" she repeats. "That's two towns over."
"Yeah." I move to sit on the coffee table in front of her, needing to be close. "It's a great opportunity. Better facilities, bigger budget, and complete autonomy over the program."
"But you love Riverside," Mia says, her voice small.
"I do. But staying here means continuing to be a complication in your life." I reach for her hands, feeling how cold her fingers are. "Every time a parent complains, every time the board questions your judgment, I'm part of the problem. If I leave, that's one less thing they can use against you."
Jack leans forward, his hazel eyes intense. "You're leaving to protect her."
"I'm leaving to give us all breathing room." I glance at him, then Noah. "The scandal at Riverside isn't going away anytime soon. But if I'm not there, if I'm building something new somewhere else, it takes pressure off everyone."
"That's a hell of a sacrifice," Noah says quietly.
I shrug, trying to make it seem less significant than it feels. "It's a better position. More money. Better resources. It's not exactly a hardship. And it's only a twenty to thirty minute commute."
"Bullshit," Mia says, her voice cracking. "You're giving up everything you've built at Riverside because of me."
"I'm choosing something better for all of us." I squeeze her hands. "And I'm not going far. I'll still be here every day if you need me. Still be part of this family we're building."
Through the window, I watch Rory throw a wobbly pass to Corey. The kid's got potential, but his form needs work. I make a mental note to spend more time teaching them proper technique.
"When do you start?" Jack asks.
"After this semester ends. Gives me time to wrap things up at Riverside and transition properly." I look at each of them.
She launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I catch her easily, holding her tight against my chest. Her body fits perfectly against mine, soft curves pressed to hard muscle. I can smell her shampoo, something floral that makes me want to bury my face in her hair.
"Congratulations. And, I love you," she whispers against my neck.
"Love you too." I press a kiss to her temple. "This is going to work out. Trust me."
Jack stands and moves to the window, his hands in his pockets as he watches the kids play. "I talked to Emma yesterday."
The shift in topic makes us all turn toward him. Mia pulls back from my embrace but stays close, her thigh pressed against mine.
"How did that go?" Noah asks carefully.
Jack's jaw tightens, but his voice stays level. "She admitted her actions stemmed from jealousy and unresolved anger about the divorce -- and Mia from their school years. She's been watching Sarah and me rebuild our lives separately, and she blamed Mia for the final destruction of any fantasy she had about us getting back together."
"That's not fair to Mia," I say, feeling protective anger rise in my chest.
"I told her that." Jack turns to face us. "I also told her that her mother and I divorced because we stopped loving each other years before Mia came back to town. That using Mia as a scapegoat was cruel and unfair."
"What did she say?" Mia's voice is barely above a whisper.
"She cried. Then she apologized." Jack's expression softens slightly. "She promised to stop interfering and even said she'd like to get to know you properly. Without the anger and resentment clouding everything."
The relief on Mia's face is palpable. "Really?"
"Really." Jack moves back to his chair. "She's still processing everything, but she's trying. That's all I can ask."
Outside, Lily trips and falls. Before any of us can move, Rory is there, helping her up and brushing grass off her knees. The kid's got good instincts. Protective without being overbearing. He's going to be a hell of a man someday.
"So Emma's backing off, Blake's leaving Riverside to give us space, and Kyle is expelled." Noah adjusts his glasses, his expression thoughtful. "Things are actually starting to look up."
