Chapter 4
Chapter Four
COACH SHAY
T his has got to be a joke. How the fuck does the school get away with this?
The school guidance counselor is wearing a shirt that says Dam, do I love Beavers . There’s a group of boys in the bleachers that have signs that spell out Beaver Madness . A cheerleader is calling for everyone to chant “Eager Beaver,” and the principal is joining in.
Am I the only one that’s seeing this?
“You’ll get used to it,” Coach Bill says from beside me. He must sense my confusion.
“I’m not sure I want to,” I say under my breath.
The crowd is too loud for him to hear me, and when the school mascot comes out, they go even wilder. The football team didn’t get that big of an applause, and that’s saying something.
I watch as Bucky waves to the crowd and then high-fives Principal Vale. Bucky does a jump to the trampoline and I think my heart stops until she lands safely on the mat below. The crowd roars with excitement, and Bucky pumps her fists in the air.
My mind goes back to yesterday and those dark eyes hovering over me. I couldn’t stop thinking about that dark-haired beauty all night, and I’m ashamed to say I finished myself off to the memory of her on top of me.
“Who’s the teacher?” I ask Coach Bill after Bucky does her tricks and then stands off to the side while Parker speaks.
He’s captain of the football team, so he gets to tell the crowd we’re going to win tonight and pump them up.
“What teacher?” Coach Bill looks at me in confusion.
“Bucky.” I nod to the mascot that’s waving her hands at the crowd. “I don’t think I’ve seen her at the staff meeting.” I decided after last night that I had to find out who she is, and Coach Bill knows everybody.
Coach Bill looks even more perplexed. “I haven’t heard who’s filling in for Bennett.” He nods to the other side of the auditorium, and I see the kid with the broken arm standing next to a blonde student. “Bennett has been Bucky for the past two years. Before that it was a kid named Roger. But tradition is when the mascot graduates, they get to choose their successor.”
“What?” I turn my attention back to Coach Bill and then to Bucky.
“I haven’t heard which student took over for Bennett, but I’m sure it’s only temporary until his arm heals. He might be the best we’ve ever had. He can dunk a basketball in that costume.” Coach Bill beams.
“But it could be a teacher. Right?” My thoughts are racing, and it feels like my heart is going to beat out of my chest.
“No way. The student government wouldn’t allow that. Their advisor is a legacy Bucky.”
“Oh shit,” I whisper, but the crowd cheers as Parker finishes his speech and drowns me out.
As if the universe is taunting me, Parker hands me the microphone, and the other coaches nudge me forward. I glance at Bucky, and whoever is in that costume is watching my every step.
I’m not sure exactly what I say, but it’s the same thing Mayson would have told me back in the day. Go, fight, win. The end. The crowd goes wild, as expected, but I can’t wait to get the fuck out of here.
As the band plays, Bucky pretends to beat on a drum, and I can’t take any more. I fade into the crowd of teachers and football players behind me until I can make it out of the auditorium. There’s a dark office next to it, and I duck inside to catch my breath. I swipe a hand down my face and blink a few times, willing myself to calm down.
“It’s fine, it’s not a big deal,” I say to myself. I didn’t do anything wrong. I kept a student from being injured. That’s all. Okay, so I jerked myself off thinking about her, but that’s between me and God. I’m sure she’s seen plenty worse in my head.
“I promise I’m good. I just have to get out of these sweaty clothes. Let me get changed, and I’ll meet you in the parking lot.”
I freeze at the voice on the other side of the door. Oh shit, this is not happening. Is this my worst nightmare or my dirtiest fantasy come to life?
I’m rooted to the spot as she comes into the office and closes the door behind her. She’s not wearing the Bucky costume anymore, and I can see the shirt she’s wearing stretched tight across her ample chest. It says Beavers do it better, and although I’m in seven circles of hell, I grin.
The office is so dark that she doesn’t see me standing there, and I don’t have a chance to say anything before she grabs the edge of her shirt and tugs it off.
“Fuck.” The word comes out of me before I can stop it. The sight of her in a black bra that’s barely holding in her tits has turned my brain to soup.
“Shit!” she squeaks and spins around. Recognition dawns on her, and she seems to relax. At least a little. “I thought this office was empty.” Her voice is scratchy like she’s been yelling, but it makes her sound sultry. “I’m wet.”
I must make some kind of sound, but I don’t move an inch.
“Sorry, I meant sweaty.” She bites her bottom lip, and I swallow hard.
Her dark eyes never leave mine, and I wonder if she can read my thoughts. Because she is every fantasy I’ve ever had come to life.
“You’re a student.” I say it like an accusation, and her eyes narrow.
“You’re a teacher,” she snaps back.
“I’m a coach.” I have no idea why I say this like there’s a difference.
“I’m eighteen.”
“Good for you.” The energy between us is charged as we stare each other down. Thank fuck she’s legal, but she’s still a student. I have to get out of here. The fire inside of her is too damn hot. “I need to go.”
“Then go.” She raises her chin in challenge.
I imagine what would happen if I stayed in this dark office with her. Would she let me kiss those full lips I’ve been obsessing about? Could I pull down the cups of her bra and taste her nipples? How long could I lick every inch of her without anyone hearing us? When I bury my face in her cunt would she taste as innocent as she looks?
“You can’t tell anyone about this.” I say it like an order because my control is so close to snapping. I can’t lose this job. Mayson is relying on coming back to it next year. “Please.” I try my best to soften the command. “Can you forget this ever happened?”
She doesn’t try to cover up her body or hide from me as she steps to the side. Now there’s nothing standing in the way of me leaving this office, yet my feet aren’t listening to what my brain is screaming.
“I promise not to tell on you.” Her voice sends a hot shiver across my skin. “But I can’t promise to forget about it.”
I look into her dark eyes, and maybe I shouldn’t believe her, but I do. After ten more heartbeats, I finally move to the door. When I grab the handle, I stop, but don’t dare look at her. If I do, I’m not sure I can control myself.
“I’m not going to forget about this either,” I say and close my eyes. “I’m going to think about this every day for the rest of my life.”
It takes every ounce of strength I have to quietly open the door and then slip out of the darkened office. When the lock clicks softly behind me, I storm off in the direction of the parking lot. I’ve got a few hours before I need to be on the field. Until then, I plan on going home and spending that time getting her out of my system.
I’m not one to lie to myself, but right now, I’ve got to. Because if I’m honest, I’ll have to face the fact that although I don’t know her name, I’ve never wanted anyone or anything as much as I want her.