Chapter 30
Landon
“Oh, shit.”
I glance up at Sloane, then my eyes swing toward the door.
Oh, shit.
I pat my patient’s ankle. “Go through your exercises, and I’ll be back.”
Striding toward the door to the clinic, I paste on a smile. “Hi, Mrs. Morales. What can I do for you?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I wanted to speak with you in regard to the situation with Jayden.”
She says the word situation like there’s a cockroach problem at her house, instead of her daughter experiencing one of the most important moments in her life.
I hold up my hand to stop her. “I don’t think there’s anything left to say.”
In the matter of three days, the woman has spoken with the principal, the superintendent of our district, and the local news station.
Pretty sure she’s said all she can say at this point.
Mrs. Morales purses her lips. “This doesn’t need to involve you. My problem is with Ms. Morgan.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Yet here you are at my job.”
“I’m here to propose a solution to this.”
I arch a brow as my suspicion only grows.
Mrs. Morales lowers her voice. “If Ainsley steps down as head coach, and you take over for varsity, then I’ll drop this whole thing.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. She has to be kidding me.
“That’s not a solution,” I say.
She coughs out a laugh. “How is it not? I get what I want, and Ainsley gets to keep her job at the high school. That sounds like a fair compromise.”
“That’s not a compromise. That’s you dictating your demands in a place where you have no right to.
” I drop my arms to my sides, my irritation growing by the second.
“And where’s Jayden in your solution? He should be at the top of your priority list, making sure he feels supported throughout this.
Instead, you’re running around town stomping your foot like a petulant child. ”
Her eyes widen as she staggers backward. “I will not have you speak to me this way.” She points her index finger in my face. “You don’t get to tell me how to raise my child. That is none of your business.”
“And you don’t get to tell Ainsley to step down as coach. She’s extremely good at her job, and those kids are lucky to be under her leadership.”
Mrs. Morales pauses as something flickers in her eyes. “Oh, I see what’s going on here.” She smirks like a villain. “I wonder what the fraternizing rules are when it comes to coaches at the school.”
I roll my eyes. “Yet another thing to distract you from being a good mother to your child.”
Her cheeks turn red as she clenches her jaw. “This isn’t over.” Then her eyes cut to my right. “Who are you? What are you doing?”
Sloane steps out from behind the corner, holding up her phone. “Just taking a video of you making threats at my establishment.”
Mrs. Morales looks between the two of us, shifting on her feet. “You can’t record me without my permission.”
Sloane points to the surveillance camera hanging from the ceiling. “Say cheese.”
Mrs. Morales’ eyebrows dip. “Your establishment? You’re hardly old enough to have your own business.”
She doesn’t know it, but that was the wrong thing to say.
I almost feel bad for the lady.
“If you’d like to see my certifications and qualifications to run this business, I’ll gladly have my lawyer send it over to you.
Just leave your contact information with Amanda at the front desk.
” An innocent smile spreads across Sloane’s face.
“But in the meantime, under New Jersey criminal statue 2C:33-4, it’s considered harassment to come into a place of business making threats.
So, I suggest you turn around and walk out that door before the cops arrive. ”
I cough into my fist to hide my laughter.
Sloane might be young, but she’s as smart as they come.
“That won’t be necessary.” Mrs. Morales glances at me once more before turning around and pushing open the door to exit.
I spin around to face Sloane. “You did not have to do that, but it was so worth it to see the look on that woman’s face.”
Sloane grins. “You know I hate it when people make comments about my age.”
“I sure do.”
Just last month, a man was arguing with Sloane about his treatment and brought up her age, insinuating that she wasn’t qualified enough. She handed him his crutches and told him to call his ride to pick him up and drive him to another physical therapy clinic.
“I did record her talking to you.” Sloane’s thumbs fly across her phone. “Just sent it to you. Maybe it’ll help.”
I heave a long sigh. “I’m sorry she came in here making a scene.”
“Don’t be. I love telling people off. It’s what fuels me.” She shoots me a wink and spins around, her long ponytail swaying as she walks.
“When is Jayden coming back?”
I slip my hands into my pockets and gaze at the group of girls in front of me. “I don’t know.”
“This is bullshit,” Hannah says. “We’re going into the last few games, and Jayden was supposed to be with us.”
“I know, I know.” I hold up my palms. “We can only focus on the things we can control. I know it sucks, and we miss Jayden. But right now, the only thing we can control is how we play.”
Shreeya nods. “We’ll win for him.”
Jayden hasn’t been at school since last week, and it’s taking a toll on the group. They’re worried about him. I am too.
“All right, get out of here. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.”
Ainsley’s practice ends a few minutes after mine, and once the kids are gone, it’s just the two of us cleaning up the equipment.
I follow her into the shed, and drop everything from my hands so they can wrap around her waist instead. Burying my nose into the crook of her neck, I inhale deep. “I missed you today.”
She chuckles as she pushes her ass against me. “I can feel that.”
I dig my teeth into her skin, and she lets out a low moan. “I think you meant to say you missed me too.”
Her hand comes up to the back of my head, holding my mouth against the side of her neck. “That’s presumptuous of you.”
I lick the cusp of her ear. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Her head falls back against my shoulder. “You’re always wrong.”
I step away from her and shrug. “Okay, guess we’d better get going then.”
“No, don’t.” Ainsley reaches out for me and tugs me close. Her nose brushes against mine as she gazes up at me with those pretty hazel eyes. “I missed you.”
A groan escapes me right before I claim her mouth. Walking her backward, we stumble over the random sports equipment lying on the floor in the small space. I tilt her head and sweep my tongue between her lips, needing to taste her. The mint of her gum still lingers, and I suck it off her tongue.
Ainsley’s hand slides down and grasps my growing erection over my sweatpants. “I can’t think straight when you wear these pants. I know what’s under them, and I want it.”
“Then take it. It’s yours.”
Without hesitation, she slips under my waistband and grips me. My hips jut forward, relishing in the way her soft hand feels against my throbbing dick.
“That door locked?” she asks.
“Nope.” I nip at her bottom lip. “So, you better come quick before we get caught.” I yank her hand out of my pants and spin her around to face the wall. She slaps her palms against it, bracing herself while I nudge her legs open with my foot.
I slide my hand down the front of her body and slip inside her spandex leggings. Pushing her panties to the side, I slide my middle finger over her pussy and let out a satisfied groan. “So wet already.”
She arches her back and rests her foot on the shelving unit to the left of us to widen her legs for me. “Hurry, Landon. Make me come.”
I hum against her neck, kissing and licking her sensitive skin. “I love when you’re desperate for me.”
I slip my finger inside her, slow at first, pulsing in and out of her, listening to the suction sound her pussy makes around me.
“Add another finger,” she says. “Please.”
“Fuck baby, you need more?” I plunge my ring finger in with my middle finger, and curl them in and out of her as her hips rock in rhythm with me. “I’m going to take care of this pretty pussy for you. Make sure you’re missing me the second I leave you empty.”
She moans, loud and unrestrained. “Yes, Landon. Right there.”
I feel it, feel where she needs me as I stroke her faster. Her walls clench my fingers tighter, swelling as she gets wetter.
“You’re almost there, sweetheart,” I whisper into her ear. “Can you feel it?”
“Yes,” she breathes. “Yes, yes. It’s right there.”
I wrap my left hand around her throat and squeeze while my right hand works her pussy. I hold her up with my body, pressing my cock against her ass for relief. Her legs shake, and then her muscles stiffen.
I press deep in her core, and hot liquid pours out of her as she detonates.
Ainsley’s mouth is open, but no sound comes out. Her pussy sprays my hand over and over again as I pump my fingers against the spot inside her.
“That’s it, sweetheart. Soak me.”
My fingers move until I’ve drained every last drop from her. I slip my hand out of her pants and use it to keep her lifeless body steady.
Ainsley gasps for air, eyes still closed. “Oh, my...what...what was that?”
“You squirted.” I press a gentle kiss to her cheek. “Have you never done that before?”
Her head shakes as she blinks at me, her eyes wide with wonder.
“Did it feel good?”
“So good.” She glances down at her pants. “That made a mess.”
I chuckle. “I have an extra pair of sweatpants in the car you can borrow.”
She nods and turns around to face me, resting her head on my shoulder. “I can’t feel my legs.”
I wrap my arms around her, bearing her weight so she doesn’t have to. “I’ve got you. Don’t worry.”
We enjoy each other’s presence in the silence, our hearts beating the same rhythm, our breaths mixing together.
“I enjoy pleasing you,” I say, my voice nothing but a whisper.
“You’re good at it.” She gazes up at me, our noses touching. “It’s like you know my body so well.”
“I’ve studied you for a long time, Ainsley.
” I brush her hair from her face, and press a kiss to her forehead.
“On and off the field, I learned you. What was important to you; your likes and dislikes; the things that made you mad; the things you were passionate about. You were the storm, and I was the one chasing you, reading you, anticipating your next move. I wanted to be the one who could withstand you. The one worthy enough to stand by your side through it all.”
Her bottom lip trembles. “Why?”
“Because I wanted to show you that not everyone leaves. That you weren’t alone. That you didn’t have to dim your light for me That I believed in you.” I drop my gaze to the floor between us. “Then I broke your trust, and ruined it all.”
“Hey.” She reaches up and cups my jaw. “No more of that. We talked about that. I broke your trust too. We both made choices we regret. It’s different now.”
“Is it?” I lean into her touch. “Do you trust me now?”
Her hazel eyes bounce between mine. “I want to.”
I nod. “That’s a good start.”
“Your mother told me you’ve been donating to my dad’s cancer fund.” Her eyes glisten. “Why did you do it?”
I hike a shoulder. “It was my way of helping you from afar.”
She gives me a sweet smile, her thumb stroking my face as if she doesn’t even know she’s doing it. “Thank you, Landon.”
I press a kiss to the tip of her nose. “Of course.”
A lone tear slips down her cheek. “I’d really like those sweatpants now.”
I grin. “I’ll be right back.”