“Always.”
Jayden chuckled. “That right? I’ll remind you of that answer sometime. But I think we should go, do this coaching thing. It sounds pretty awesome. Plus, you know, maybe it’ll help you too. Everyone knows that what we have is new, only coming out. Though…” He tilted his head. “…we haven’t actually officially confirmed anything yet.”
I shook my head. “Not officially.”
He huffed out a chuckle. “Those are big assumptions people are making then, right?”
“It means we could take it back.” The words were out of my mouth before thinking. I regretted them immediately, even before seeing the look on his face.
That wasn’t hurt staring back at me. No. Jayden was fucking livid.
“I didn’t mean it,” I rushed to say. “I don’t want to change anything between us.”
He narrowed his eyes. “If I didn’t like them so much, I’d totally punch you in the nuts right now.”
I nodded quickly, trying to keep a straight face. “And I’d totally deserve it.”
“Damn straight you do, asshole.” He gave me the evil eye for another second before smoothing out his features. “So, what do you think? You’re not a fraud. It doesn’t matter that we’ve been together for a hot second. It’s no one else’s business when our relationship actually started.”
“And our engagement?” I asked curiously.
He waved off my comment. “We’re in no rush, despite what either of our parents think.” He rolled his eyes at that. The more he spoke, the more I calmed, and I thought he was probably right.
Spending time coaching college kids would be fun anyway. Adding in the outreach program and educating kids, trying to break down the hatred and bullshit surrounding homophobia would be incredible to be a part of.
And just maybe, being in such an environment would actually help.
Lifting Jayden’s hand, I pressed a kiss to his wrist, smiling when I heard the hitch in his breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”
CHAPTER13
JAYDEN
I hadn’t expectedto be so excited about heading to the academy. But over the past few days, as Sutton and I organized ourselves, each step hadn’t been a drag.
Sutton had been feeling more upbeat the past twenty-four hours, but it was harder work than I thought either of us expected it to be.
He was nervous. I got it. What neither of us anticipated was these role reversals of support. Sure, we both supported each other, but Sutton, being the caretaker he was, was so used to taking control and taking care of everyone and never needing anyone to step in to actually care for him.
Uncertainty had bounced around his gaze and almost every decision he’d made. It meant he sought out my support and wanted me to lead the way. After our initial surprise, I jumped all over the task.
Looking after Sutton? Heck yes, I was so up for it. Perhaps I exhausted him in the process with my overabundance of enthusiasm, but by his soft smiles and the way we wrapped ourselves up in each other whenever we could, he was taking it in his stride.
Something else we’d discussed was involving Pearce. Neither of us wanted to leave him in the lurch. We’d gone from a quick chat during practice or after a game with the man last season to speaking to each other on the phone at least three times a week.
He was fun. A little eager, maybe a little too much like me from what I knew about him, but he was easy to get along with.
I glanced over at Pearce as we stepped into the staff quarters. “You doing all right over there, Malcolm?”
He shot me a grin, and if he was nervous, it didn’t show. “Sure am.” He looked at the piece of paper in his hand. “Number fourteen. This is me.” Pearce indicated toward the door of the room he’d been assigned to over the next six weeks.
When I’d spoken to Coach Jenkins, asking him if Pearce could be involved, he jumped at the chance. Understandable since the guy had been a first draft pick and was only three years into being in the League. He was a hot commodity. Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure how the Eagles had managed to keep their hands on him. I didn’t expect he’d stay for long, though. Not based on his skills on the court.
Being young meant that joining the academy for a guest spot was a pretty rare and big deal. Young hotshots at the top of their game, earning the sort of cash they were, didn’t seem to want to give back so much to the athletic community.
Traditionally off-season was all about blowing off steam. I totally understood that and had lived it. And peeking into Pearce’s single room, it was clear that this wasn’t a five-star hotel.
There was a shared kitchen for the staff and lounge and eating area. Honestly, at this point, I was just relieved we’d been promised a double room, and all came with en suites.
