One Year Later
Josephine
“They’re back!”
Kendrick sits up quickly and reaches for me, but I’m too fast for the three-time Pro Bowl starting running back for the Carolina Cougars.
“Go easy on them,” he hedges as I scamper to the door. Behind me, he stays where he is, perched on the edge of the couch, legs spread wide.
Training camp started this week, so he’s sore as hell and extra grumpy from two-a-days. I promised him a massage and a whole afternoon in bed, but not until the guys got back from their meeting.
I’m bouncing on my toes as they ascend the stairs toward the house. Kylian’s already lost his tie, and Decker’s tugging at his with each step.
“They don’t look happy,” I fret, worrying my lip.
“They’re not the most happy-go-lucky guys to begin with, Mama.”
I shoot Kendrick a pointed look over my shoulder. “That’s fair.”
By the time they reach the house, I’m tearing open the sliding glass door. I can’t wait any longer.
I barrel into Kylian’s arms a moment later. He catches me with a hmph as Decker supports his back and guides us forward.
“How’d it go?” I demand, looking from one man to the other.
Decker’s onyx gaze gives nothing away. If anything, he looks dejected.
Kylian’s piercing baby blues are as cool and calm as ever, but I still can’t get a read on him.
“It went well.”
That’s it?
“Meaning?” I press, pushing up on tiptoes and cupping his cheeks.
I want details. I need to know if this is it: their big break.
Kylian and Decker have been working on a real-time next-gen stats program for years. Originally, Kylian developed the software on his own and used it when he interned with the Crusaders, but he was the sole programmer, and from its inception, he’s retained the exclusive rights to the technology.
Over the last few years, he’s been scaling it for the pros, outsourcing additional development and hiring contractors to maintain the servers. It’s taken some time, but he’s finally elevated the program to a place he deems acceptable to pitch to professional clubs around the league.
Decker understands the program, but he has the knack for getting a foot in the door.
Between the Crusade name and his natural charisma, he’s secured meetings with several teams. No one has officially signed with them yet, but Decker knows the head coach and offensive coordinator in Atlanta well.
If they really have a shot at this, then Atlanta is likely where it’ll begin.
The software is unmatched. The presentation has been polished to perfection. Hell, I’ve sat through it so many times over the last few weeks I could probably repeat it verbatim.
They were so prepared. So ready. They’ve poured so much into this.
God, I hope it worked.
“It’s good news,” Kylian explains evenly. “But let Decker tell you.”
He spins us, kisses me quickly, then releases me into the arms of my husband.
“So?” I demand of Decker. My patience is wearing thin.
He wraps me in a hug and guides me into the house. “It was good. Really good. We signed the deal.” His words are even and reserved. I’m smiling so hard my cheeks hurt, and yet he’s acting as if this isn’t the big break they were hoping for.
“That’s amazing, Cap.” My heart squeezes with pride for my boys. “We have to celebrate!”
Shaking his head, he blows out a breath. “There’s more.”
Instantly, my elation turns to swirling anxiety. I cling tighter and pull in a deep breath before it overtakes me.
“After the meeting, the head coach pulled me aside.” He licks his lips and regards me carefully. “He offered me a job. A coaching job.”
My breath catches and my eyebrows shoot into my hairline.
“No shit,” Kendrick murmurs, rising to his feet. “Quarterback room?” he guesses, clapping Decker on the back.
Decker shakes his head, looking from K to me.
“Assistant coach to the offensive coordinator.”
“Oh, hell yeah.” Kendrick grasps Decker by the shoulders and pulls him into a real hug this time. “That’s a big boy job, Cap. They must really want you, brother.”
Decker’s smile is meek, his trepidation apparent.
“Well?” I ask. “Did you accept?”
Onyx eyes catch mine, then double in size. “Of course not.” His response is pure defensiveness. “I would never make a decision like that without consulting you all first.”
I bite back a grin and wrap my arms around his neck. He wouldn’t. In fact, he can barely choose a dinner menu without checking in. These days, the idea of making a unilateral decision without talking it through first sends him spiraling. I love him all the more for it.
“You should do it.” It’s a whisper, not so much to cut out the others, but because I want to convey my sincerity. So he knows that in my heart of hearts, I want this for him.
Decker is good at everything. He can network, sell software, and open so many doors for himself and for their stats program, but at his core, he belongs on the football field.
He swallows thickly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Atlanta’s nearly four hours away.”
I bite my tongue to keep myself from reminding him that I once drove four hours one way just to take him to an out-of-state hospital.
“You could commute. Come home on a regular basis. We could get a condo there so I could come stay sometimes. As long as we had a schedule, we could make it work.” Then, again, with conviction and loud enough for everyone to hear, I repeat, “I think you should do it.”
“I think he should do it, too,” Kendrick agrees.
“Really?”
Decker looks to each of us, searching for any hesitation or hint of a lie.
“Really,” I promise, pushing up on tiptoes and pressing my lips into his. “Plus, I’m tired of calling you Cap. Coach has a nice ring to it, don’tcha think?”
“Assistant Coach,” Kylian corrects from where he’s sitting on the couch, scrolling on his phone.
“What do you say, Coach?” I tease, nipping at my husband’s bottom lip.
“Say it again,” he practically growls.
“Oh, you like that, do you? I’ve never been with a coach before,” I whisper.
“Josephine,” he scolds.
I’m not playing. I want him, and I want this for him. Spinning out of his arms, I stride out of the living room, knowing damn well at least one of my guys will follow.
“I’m going to get the massage oil warmed up for my star running back. Just let me know if I should heat up enough for my favorite CEO and my professional football coach husband, too.”