Blake
The hiring committee at Westfield Academy sits across from me in expensive, identical leather chairs.
Five people, all watching me with expressions that range from interested to impressed.
The athletic director, a former college coach named Tom Henderson, leans forward with his elbows on the mahogany conference table.
"Your record at Riverside Academy is exceptional," he says, tapping the folder in front of him.
"Three championship seasons in five years.
Player retention rates that exceed state averages.
And your academic support program for student athletes has become a model other schools are trying to replicate. "
I nod, keeping my expression professional even though my mind is racing through everything that led me to this interview.
The scandal at Riverside. The canceled games.
The whispers in the hallways about my relationship with Mia, and wondering if any of that has made the rounds here.
The knowledge that staying there means continuing to be a liability to the woman I love is what led me to make this decision.
"We're prepared to offer you the head coaching position," Tom continues. "Complete autonomy over the athletic program, a significant salary increase, and a budget that will allow you to build something truly special here."
The offer is everything I could want professionally. Westfield Academy has facilities that make Riverside look like a high school gym. Their football program has produced Division I players. The resources alone would let me take my coaching to the next level.
But it means leaving. Leaving Riverside and the familiar.
"I accept," I hear myself say.
Tom's face breaks into a wide smile. "Excellent. We'll have the contracts drawn up by the end of week. You can start after the current semester ends at Riverside."
We shake hands all around, and I walk out of Westfield Academy with a new job and a weight in my chest that feels like I'm carrying the entire offensive line on my shoulders.
That evening, I host everyone at my house.
The late afternoon sun casts golden light across my backyard, where the children are already playing.
Rory and Corey race around with a football while Lily chases after them, her blonde hair flying behind her.
Maya has organized the younger kids into some kind of elaborate game that involves a lot of shrieking and laughter.
Inside, Mia settles onto my couch wearing jeans that hug her curves in ways that make my mouth water and a simple blue sweater that shows off her full breasts. Her dark hair falls past her shoulders in waves I want to run my fingers through.
Jack takes the armchair, his broad shoulders filling out his button-down shirt. The man looks like he stepped out of a magazine, even in casual clothes. Noah sits on Mia's other side, his lean frame relaxed but his green eyes sharp behind his glasses as he studies my face.
"You're making me nervous," Mia says, her blue eyes searching mine. "What's going on?"
I take a breath, suddenly aware of how much this announcement will change things. "I got a job offer today. Head coaching position at Westfield Academy."
The silence that follows feels heavy. Jack's jaw tightens slightly. Noah's fingers drum against his knee. Mia's face goes pale.
"Westfield?" she repeats. "That's two towns over."
"Yeah." I move to sit on the coffee table in front of her, needing to be close. "It's a great opportunity. Better facilities, bigger budget, and complete autonomy over the program."
"But you love Riverside," Mia says, her voice small.
"I do. But staying here means continuing to be a complication in your life." I reach for her hands, feeling how cold her fingers are. "Every time a parent complains, every time the board questions your judgment, I'm part of the problem. If I leave, that's one less thing they can use against you."
Jack leans forward, his hazel eyes intense. "You're leaving to protect her."
"I'm leaving to give us all breathing room." I glance at him, then Noah. "The scandal at Riverside isn't going away anytime soon. But if I'm not there, if I'm building something new somewhere else, it takes pressure off everyone."
"That's a hell of a sacrifice," Noah says quietly.
I shrug, trying to make it seem less significant than it feels. "It's a better position. More money. Better resources. It's not exactly a hardship. And it's only a twenty to thirty minute commute."
"Bullshit," Mia says, her voice cracking. "You're giving up everything you've built at Riverside because of me."
"I'm choosing something better for all of us." I squeeze her hands. "And I'm not going far. I'll still be here every day if you need me. Still be part of this family we're building."
Through the window, I watch Rory throw a wobbly pass to Corey. The kid's got potential, but his form needs work. I make a mental note to spend more time teaching them proper technique.
"When do you start?" Jack asks.
"After this semester ends. Gives me time to wrap things up at Riverside and transition properly." I look at each of them.
She launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I catch her easily, holding her tight against my chest. Her body fits perfectly against mine, soft curves pressed to hard muscle. I can smell her shampoo, something floral that makes me want to bury my face in her hair.
"Congratulations. And, I love you," she whispers against my neck.
"Love you too." I press a kiss to her temple. "This is going to work out. Trust me."
Jack stands and moves to the window, his hands in his pockets as he watches the kids play. "I talked to Emma yesterday."
The shift in topic makes us all turn toward him. Mia pulls back from my embrace but stays close, her thigh pressed against mine.
"How did that go?" Noah asks carefully.
Jack's jaw tightens, but his voice stays level.
"She admitted her actions stemmed from jealousy and unresolved anger about the divorce -- and Mia from their school years.
She's been watching Sarah and me rebuild our lives separately, and she blamed Mia for the final destruction of any fantasy she had about us getting back together. "
"That's not fair to Mia," I say, feeling protective anger rise in my chest.
"I told her that." Jack turns to face us. "I also told her that her mother and I divorced because we stopped loving each other years before Mia came back to town. That using Mia as a scapegoat was cruel and unfair."
"What did she say?" Mia's voice is barely above a whisper.
"She cried. Then she apologized." Jack's expression softens slightly. "She promised to stop interfering and even said she'd like to get to know you properly. Without the anger and resentment clouding everything."
The relief on Mia's face is palpable. "Really?"
"Really." Jack moves back to his chair. "She's still processing everything, but she's trying. That's all I can ask."
Outside, Lily trips and falls. Before any of us can move, Rory is there, helping her up and brushing grass off her knees. The kid's got good instincts. Protective without being overbearing. He's going to be a hell of a man someday.
"So Emma's backing off, Blake's leaving Riverside to give us space, and Kyle is expelled." Noah adjusts his glasses, his expression thoughtful. "Things are actually starting to look up."
"Don't jinx it," Mia says, but she's smiling.
I pull her closer, my arm around her shoulders. Her breast presses against my side and I have to force myself to focus on the conversation instead of how good she feels.
Jack's phone buzzes and he glances at it, his expression shifting to something more serious. "The school board wants to meet Monday morning. They're making a final decision about Mia's reinstatement."
"That's good, right?" Mia asks, but I hear the uncertainty in her voice.
"It should be." Jack sets his phone down. "With Kyle expelled and the evidence of his stalking behavior, they don't have grounds to keep you suspended."
"But?" Mia prompts.
"But they're going to have questions about your personal life. About the rumors." Jack meets her eyes directly. "We need to be prepared for that."
The weight of reality settles back over us. For a moment, we'd been celebrating small victories. Now we're back to strategizing, planning, and preparing for the next battle.
Noah stands and moves to the window, watching the children play. Maya has them all lined up now, apparently teaching them some kind of dance routine. Ethan and Sophie are trying to follow along while Rory and Corey ham it up, making Lily giggle.
"They're good together," Noah says quietly.
"Yeah." I join him at the window, my shoulder brushing his. "They are."
Mia and Jack come to stand with us, the four of us watching our makeshift family through the glass. It's not traditional. It's not what any of us planned. But it's ours.
"I have an announcement too," Noah says suddenly.