Well. Mostly.
Isabella pulls back, out of my reach. “I’ll be right back. Let me grab my purse.”
She gives my arm a quick squeeze and slips out of the room.
Coach comes out of the kitchen a few seconds later, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, looking every bit the gruff, intimidating guy I’ve always known.
He doesn’t say anything at first. Just stands there, wiping his hands on a towel, his gaze fixed on me.
I shift uncomfortably, but it’s not like I have any choice but to face him.
Then Coach breaks the quiet with a grunt. “You seem to make her happy.”
I raise an eyebrow, unsure if it’s a compliment or just a grumble. “Yeah?”
He shrugs, one corner of his mouth twitching like he’s holding back a smile. “Could be worse, I guess.”
I chuckle, running a hand through my hair and step forward. This is it. Time to rip the band-aid off.
“Coach… I’m in love with your daughter. I didn’t plan for any of this shit, and I know I’m probably not the guy you had in mind for her, but she makes me happier than anyone has before, and honestly, I can’t picture my life without her. I know this is a total mess, and hell, you can bench me, kick me off the team, whatever you want. But I won’t—I can’t—walk away from her.”
He looks up at me, his expression unreadable for a beat. Then he sighs.
“That was a good speech,” he says. “Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that you were sleeping with my daughter behind my back.”
His wife’s voice rings out from the kitchen. “Hunter!”
Coach winces. “Sorry. That was—sorry.”
I fight the urge to laugh. “It’s okay.”
He clears his throat, leaning forward slightly. “Just… treat her right.”
“I will,” I say without an ounce of hesitation. “Always.”
He nods once. “Alright then.”
And that’s it. No hugs. No handshake.
And for now, that’s enough.
I give him a hesitant nod, not sure if I should say something else. But before I can come up with anything, Isabella reappears, her purse in hand and flashes me a quick smile that melts my braincells.
“Okay, let’s go,” she says, sliding her hand in mine before turning to face her dad. “Bye. Love you.”
They say a quicklove youback and I open the front door, and step outside.
Coach is still watching me from his front door, his arms crossed over his chest, and I can’t tell if he’s done hating me or if he’s just waiting for me to screw up.
I won’t screw up, though. I have the best thing in my life right beside me, and I will do everything to keep her.
I open the car door for her, and she slides into the seat, flashing me a smile before thanking me. I lean down, kiss her and close the door before heading to the other side.
My mind is still spinning from everything as I get into my seat and start the engine.
I might have just survived dinner, but whatever comes next with her? I’m all in.
41
