Chapter 16
The next Lakeside home game meant I was back at the high school with the middle schoolers. A whole four weeks of dropping crumbs around the idea of dating with Kendall, actually dating Noah, and attempting to balance being more involved in colorguard.
How else would I spend my little free time with both my favorite people?
“Miss Sullivan.“
Noah dipped their Lakeside baseball cap as I approached. “How was your day?”
“Busy. Lots of work to do but had the time to put this together.“
I pulled an envelope out of my pocket and slipped it into Noah’s hand. “Open with caution.”
Noah narrowed their eyes at me and wandered along the sidelines away from the group of colorguard teens preparing for warmups.
I stayed where I was, watching as my partner opened the love letter I had written them.
The paper unfolded and Noah scrambled to grab the small wallet sized photos I had printed as a gift from the finals Sadie sent me.
Noah’s face turned bright red as they tried to stuff the photos back into the envelope, as well as the letter soon after when a few swirly letters spelled out sentences like Momma looks forward to seeing that pretty pussy tonight.
It might not have helped the picture of me holding Noah by the hair as they practically drooled on their knees and fell to the grass where anyone passing could have seen it.
Thankfully, Noah had impressive stamina.
“Miss Sullivan.“
Noah tucked the envelope safely inside their inner jacket pocket once they confirmed all the photos were present. “Are you trying to get me fired?”
“A little pressure on the heart never killed anyone, Coach Thatcher.“
I anchored my hands on my hips and watched Kendall warm up.
Noah shook their head and walked just ahead of me. They lowered their baseball cap in front of their mouth so the surrounding students couldn’t read their lips.
“You know I adore you, Sully.“
Noah scrunched up their nose. “But you surprise me more every day.”
I smiled at the cutesy nickname. They were such a golden retriever, I was beginning to fall in love with everything they did.
Who was I kidding? I’ve adored Noah since I first laid eyes on those sterling eyes.
“I love you.“
I blurted out.
And, truthfully, I meant it.
Noah blinked in surprise. They lowered their baseball cap and grinned.
“I love you too, El.”