25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
Andre
I wake up slowly, the sun flooding through the windows and lighting up our room.
It feels much later than I normally wake up, but there’s no need to be up early today.
There’s nothing to do but my meeting later.
I don’t even know why I’m here or why I’m doing it, but I am.
I guess I just need to see this through.
For myself. I need to know exactly what they’re looking for, and how I can help.
Shelby was pretty vague and didn’t give me much information over the phone, so an official meeting to discuss their interest in me and what they are after seemed to be the only way to do that.
I don’t want Paul worrying, so I haven’t said much about it. I don’t know if there’s anything to tell yet, truthfully, but I’ll fill him in afterwards. When we meet up for drinks at the bar in the lobby. That’s what we agreed on.
I reach behind me for Paul, and when I find him, I roll over and slide my arm around his waist, pulling him against me.
His body is warm from the heat permeating between us beneath the sheets, and the feel of him against me is a mixture of hard muscle and soft, yet taut skin.
He feels good here, like this, and I grind against his ass, my morning wood aching.
He pushes his ass back into me, groaning softly as his hand finds mine and he interlocks our fingers.
Kissing his neck and nipping at his ear, I thrust into him again, my dick sliding between his cheeks. Maybe I’m being too forward, because we haven’t exactly talked about this, but the low groan that escapes his throat tells me all I need to know about how he feels.
“You have such a nice ass,” I whisper in his ear. He lets out a dark, flirtatious laugh that has my dick throbbing. Or maybe it’s just him.
“It’s all the squats,” he says as I chuckle and find his neck again, kissing and licking until I reach his shoulder. He pushes his ass into me again, this time with more force.
“Are you trying to tell me something?” I ask, my voice taking on a dark, lustful tone.
“I don’t know…” he says, but the tone of his voice isn’t anxious or nervous. It’s warm, low, and sexy as hell.
I thrust again, the friction against him exactly what I need right now. So I keep doing it.
“This feels so good,” I tell him.
“Then keep going,” he says, and I don’t hesitate.
I do just as he asks, releasing his hand to find his dick, so that I can stroke him in time with my thrusts.
I’m not surprised to find him hard and already wet with precum—it’s a common occurrence for both of us in the morning, especially these days.
His body trembles the more I move, the faster I stroke him, and somehow we both erupt at exactly the same time.
Our heavy breathing fills the air as we come down from the high of our orgasms. I huff a laugh, kissing his shoulder.
“Guess we need to shower again,” I say.
He laughs. “Probably a good idea.”
I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. He finds me a moment later and we get into the shower and wash up. When we get back to the room, I take the sheets off the bed.
“Feel bad for the maid,” I say when he comes into the room. I toss the sheets into the corner. “We’ll have to make sure we tell her we need new sheets.”
Shaking his head, he gets dressed. We decide on a place for breakfast and what we’re going to do for the day before I have my meeting.
Paul planned a really nice dinner for us last night.
I think it was the nicest date I’ve ever been on in my life.
It felt a little weird calling it that, putting a label on us feels weird because everything has happened so naturally.
Regardless of that, it was a great date.
The food was delicious; there was live music, and we really enjoyed the night.
It was a great way to start our vacation.
When we’re done getting ready, we head out for the day.
Shelby has me meeting her at a casual restaurant where we can talk freely and eat. I wasn’t nervous until I pulled open the door to the place and walked in.
I tell the hostess who I’m here to meet, and she leads me over to a table toward the back, where it seems to be quieter than the rest of the place.
She’s texting on her phone as I walk up but puts it down the moment I reach the table and she gets to her feet. She’s dressed casually in wide-leg black pants and a ruby red blouse.
“Andre Taylor. It’s nice to finally meet you.” She holds out her hand for a handshake.
“Likewise,” I say as I take her hand. “I think.”
Chuckling, I take my seat, and she takes hers across from me.
“Should we order before we get into the serious stuff?” she asks.
“Sure.” I grab the menu to look it over.
“The chicken pasta plate is delicious. I’m not really sure what they put in it, but the sauce is addicting.”
“I guess I’ll try that.” I smile and put the menu down just as the waiter comes over. He takes our orders. Even though she suggested the chicken pasta, she orders a salad and soup, saying she had a heavy lunch. We both get water.
“So, are you going to tell me why I’m here easily?” I ask with a smirk.
She smirks right back. “I forgot who I’m dealing with. You already know how this goes.”
“I prefer to get right down to business. Why waste time?”
“Agreed.” She leans back, regarding me a moment before beginning.
“I said we wanted you to re-vamp our program, and that’s exactly what we mean.
We’re willing to pay a hefty salary and cover moving expenses, along with offering a realtor to help you find the perfect house for you and your daughter. ”
I don’t know why her being so forward and putting everything out there throws me, but I’m speechless.
I had a feeling this was what she was getting at when we spoke on the phone.
At least, I knew it was a possibility. I hoped it would only be a temporary thing because, truthfully, I don’t want to have to make this decision.
But I moved forward with this for a reason.
To be absolutely sure I wasn’t overthinking things, and now I’m here, facing a really difficult choice.
I did this to myself, so I only have myself to blame.
“That’s definitely putting it all out there,” I say, side-eyeing her.
“You said you don’t like to waste time. I figured there was no need to butter you up. You came here, and that tells me you’re at least a little interested.”
“I’m curious,” I say.
A slow smile forms on her lips. “Okay. You’re curious. What questions do you have?”
I lean forward, resting my forearms on the table.
“You want me to take over the team and redo the entire program?”
“Yes. Though we’ve done well over the past years, we’re trending down. We don’t want to lose what we’ve built, so we need someone good. Someone who isn’t afraid to try new things, who has a phenomenal record, and can grow with the team and the university. You check all of those boxes, Mr. Taylor.”
“Are you sure this has nothing to do with wanting the fame and recognition of having an ex-NFL coach at your school?”
She laughs. “I figured you might say that, and I won’t lie to you.
Yes, it was brought up, and there are plenty of people who are excited about the thought, of course..
But it’s your skills that we want, Andre.
Not just your name. You were a top pick for Brighton, and your high school record speaks for itself, too.
And I doubt those skills have diminished over the years.
You’ve just utilized them differently, and that is what New Haven U needs. ”
“How long do I have to make a decision?”
The food comes as she opens her mouth to answer. We get our plates and the waiter asks if we need anything else. We both say no, and then we’re left alone again.
“It’s negotiable. We know this is something that will take time, and we also know how important transitions are not just for us, but for the team, too. So you wouldn’t start coaching immediately.”
“Who is coaching now? They know they won’t be staying?”
“Garth has agreed to stay until we find a replacement. He’s ready to retire, take that trip to Alaska he’s been talking about for the last decade.”
She smiles as she starts to cut up her salad and adds the dressing, pushing it aside to move her soup in front of her. I pick up my silverware, but now I don’t feel like eating anything. Still, I force it down, thinking about what I need to ask.
“What are your hold-ups?” she asks as she stirs her soup. Chicken and rice, I think.
“Well, I just bought a house. My daughter just got established not only in the house, but at school, and a schedule with her grandparents. You know I lost my wife—”
“Of course. I’m sorry about that. It must be hard.”
“It is,” I say firmly. “Rylee has just settled in. Plus, there’s Paul and Maddox—”
I’m shocked I said that out loud, but I can’t take it back now.
“Is that more family?” she questions, as she lifts her spoon to her mouth to blow on the soup.
“He’s my best friend and his son. They’ve been living with me because their apartment burned down.”
“Wow, that’s awful.”
“Yeah, it’s been crazy, but somehow we’ve made it work. It’s a lot to leave behind.”
Nodding, she reaches for her napkin to wipe her mouth.
“Changes are always difficult, but you’re young, Andre.
We all know you loved coaching the Cougars and seeing how you took the Raccoons—who didn’t even make the playoffs last year—and took them to the playoffs, well I’d say you have a gift.
You were made for this job. Coaching is who you are.
And this is a great opportunity for you to continue to do what you love. ”
“I told Rylee I wouldn’t leave her anymore. The traveling—”
“We have lists of amazing nannies who also homeschool.”
“It feels weird bringing in another woman to do that.”
She grins like she’s just won something.
“My cousin works at an all-male nanny company, D@. Some of the nannies are willing to travel for the right pay. And they are very qualified.”
I sigh, staring down at my food that’s getting colder by the minute.
I hate that I can’t outright tell her no.
Because part of me… wants this.