27. McKenzie
TWENTY-SEVEN
MCKENZIE
Things have gone back to normal since Thanksgiving break. Kylie and I are thrown back into schoolwork with only a few weeks left in the semester. Work and studying take up almost all my time, and whatever spare time I do have, Tyler steals from me. He comes to my room almost every night but always makes sure to sneak out early enough not to get caught.
I hate sneaking around behind Kylie’s back, but I think I’m just as scared as Tyler to tell her about what we’ve been doing. We both know she won’t be happy about it. If the situation was reversed, I know I’d be pissed. And yet, I can’t stop this, and I’m not sure what that says about me.
Today is my last day working with the football team since the regular season is over. They’re going on to their bowl game and semi-finals, but my class is almost over, so I won’t be there for that. At least not on the sidelines.
I wanted to at least thank all the coaches for letting me hang around the last few months and share my photos with the team. Tyler mentioned several times that I should show them, so I finally worked up the courage to put my favorites on a flash drive for them.
I can tell that most of the team is in the gym when I get to the field house because laughter mixed with the clanking of the metal weights echoes through the halls.
When I walk in, they all greet me with a really loud, really annoying yell that makes me burst out laughing. I’ve had so much fun with these guys. They have the best attitudes and certainly know how to have a good time while simultaneously being powerhouses on the field.
“Hey guys, I just came to say goodbye,” I announce.
Quinn is the first one to say something. “What? No!”
“Yeah, my class is almost over. And you guys don’t have another game until New Year’s, so this is it for me.”
A few of them come over to hug me, which feels a little strange since I can feel Tyler’s eyes on me. I’ve learned over the last few weeks that Tyler is possessive. He wants me all to himself, and I kinda like it.
When the hugs are over, I walk toward the coaches and hand Coach Zach a flash drive.
“This has the pictures on it that I’ve been taking throughout the season in case you guys want to look at them,” I explain.
“Thanks, McKenzie,” Coach Zach says, taking the drive from me. “It’s been nice having you around. We’re definitely gonna miss you.”
I thank them all before I finally turn my attention to Tyler. His gaze is blazing into me. I could feel it this whole time but I had to ignore him if I wanted to get out everything I wanted to say to the team.
“Coach, Professor Moore said she sent you an email about my final assessment. Would you mind responding to her by the end of the week?”
“Yeah, why don’t you come to my office and I’ll try to find it right now,” he says.
Coach Zach chuckles. “If this guy doesn’t do it now, it’ll never get done. He’s the worst with emails.”
I smile, glad they don’t think it’s weird that I’m going to Tyler’s office with him. . . alone. I guess it wouldn’t be weird if we weren’t hiding the fact that we’re having sex every chance we get.
I follow Tyler out of the gym and down the familiar hall to his office.
He doesn’t shut the door once we’re both inside, which is disappointing, but what was I expecting? Him to bend me over and fuck me in his office while the entire team is down the hall? Yeah, no. Not a good idea.
I take a seat across from his desk. He sits and turns his focus to his laptop as he finds the email from my professor. He reads it over and starts typing away. I like watching his fingers and hands move across the keyboard, the way his brow furrows while he concentrates. Everything about him is attractive. I don’t know how I got so lucky that he wants me.
“I can feel you staring at me,” he says finally.
“Can you blame me?”
He smiles and shakes his head. “Stare all you want, baby. I hope I’m the only man you’re staring at like that.”
“You are.” We haven’t talked about being exclusive, but I guess I assumed we were. I haven’t been with anyone else. I’m not even interested in anyone else. And I think he knows I’m either at school or work or at his house. I don’t think he’s seeing anyone else either, but I suppose I don’t know for sure. “Am I the only woman you stare at?”
He looks over at me. “Are you asking if I’m seeing anyone else?”
I nod, a little embarrassed for some unknown reason. I have a right to know if he’s sleeping around, especially since we’re having unprotected sex.
“Just you, McKenzie. You’re the only woman I want. The only one I need.”
I let out a small sigh of relief.
“I hate them touching you,” he says.
I tilt my head in confusion. “Who?”
“The guys on the team.” Right. The hugs.
“Those hugs mean nothing. You know that.”
“I know. I just wish I could touch you. Kiss you or hold your hand or anything so they know you’re mine.” His voice is quiet, but I can hear the frustration.
“Am I yours?” I ask. We haven’t talked about what we are, but I know that’s because we can’t really be anything yet. That hasn’t stopped the little flame of hope in my chest, though.
He meets my eyes and says, “Yes. Don’t ever question that, McKenzie.”
I bite my lip to suppress my smile. “Ok.”
He goes back to his computer and finishes up his email to my professor. “Ok. Done. She just received a glowing review about you.”
I laugh. “You didn’t have to lie.”
“It’s not a lie, Mckenzie. You’re one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. I’m so proud of you even if I do wish you’d let me help you more. But seriously, no one deserves a higher grade than you. All the other coaches agree.”
I feel my face heat. “Thank you.”
We both stand, but before I have a chance to leave, he comes around the desk and pulls me toward him. His lips are on mine before I even realize what’s happening. It’s quick, but it’s just what I needed.
When he pulls away, he says, “I’ll see you at home, baby.”
Everything about Tyler Danvers is overwhelming. My knees go weak when he calls me that. And when he calls his house our home, I feel like I belong there just as much as anyone else. The most important part is that he wants me in his home. He wants me in his life. “Can’t wait.”
With a smack on the ass, I’m out the door and on my way out of the field house, leaving behind the best, most life-changing semester of my life.