Chapter 27
Jackson
“Fellas! You’re looking slow out there. Better step it up. You’ve got a big game tomorrow. It’s homecoming! You want to impress the girls, right?”
I’ve got them running drills. I’ve got the defense trying to block them from gaining yardage. My receivers are dancing around the field and my quarterback is throwing dots.
They look fucking great on that field.
But I have to keep them humble.
“Coach! Come on! It’s homecoming! We’re going to be too tired for the bonfire if you keep this up!”
I blow the whistle. “Bring it in!”
They circle up, grabbing water on the way, kneeling in a semi-circle around me balancing their helmets on the ground. “Ok listen. You guys look good, you’re ready for tomorrow’s game.”
“Of course, we’re ready! Tomorrow’s team is nothing, we always get an easy win for homecoming,” Connor says.
“Ahh that’s the kiss of death! There is never an easy win. Never a ‘nothing’ team. You have to work each and every day. When the Eagles play Dallas, do you think they say, ‘it’s an easy win, don’t work hard?’”
“That’s because their paychecks say they have to work hard.”
“No way! Their hearts say work hard. Their minds say work hard.” I point to Jameson. “You make it to the NFL as a quarterback, you’re going to go easy on certain teams because you think they’re not worth it?”
“I’m going hard each and every day if I make it.”
“When you make it. And that’s exactly the attitude we need here. Mindset. Heartset. 100 percent. Right?”
“Right!” They echo back.
“What I wanted to say is, I know this is an exciting weekend, but please be mindful of your actions, don’t be out late. Don’t do stupid shit when you are out. And please, please always—”
“Wear a condom!” Connor yells out. I reach out, smacking him upside his head.
“That too.” I roll my eyes. “Please do not drink and drive. Call me if you’re afraid to call your parents.
I don’t care. I will not lose a player.” I look each one of them in their eyes.
“Okay, you’re done for today. I’ll see you all tonight, six this evening in the locker room, we walk out as a team. ”
A chorus of ‘see ya later’ filters out. I have a few words with my assistant coaches and turn and head to the parking lot.
A smile spreads across my face when I see Chess leaning against the fence.
I quickly turn my hat backwards because I know she likes that look and walk towards her, licking my lips as I go, hands clenching at my sides dying to reach out and grab her. Her grin spreads, matching mine.
“Hey, girlfriend.”
She chuckles. “Hey, boyfriend.” I wrap her in my arms, smothering her neck with kisses.
“Jackson!” She giggles, not fighting me at all.
“You spying on my team? Trying to scope out our plays for our competition?” I raise a brow, still holding her close. She smells so good, that coconut shampoo—I dream of it at night. I love that I can just touch her now. Hold her in public. It’s no longer a question. It’s expected.
“I heard there was a hot, single, head coach down here, so I had to check it out for myself.”
“Single? You must have heard wrong. The only head coach down on this field is very, very taken.” I bend her back just a little so I can get a taste of the dip at her throat and sweep my tongue across her collarbone. She squirms.
“Very, very huh?” I look up and she’s glowing. Shining. I love this happy look on her face, love that I’m the one putting it there. There is no wariness in her anymore.
“Very.” I kiss her nose. “Very.” I kiss her chin. “Very.” I punctuate the last word by licking her bottom lip and nipping it with my teeth. She gasps and I slip my tongue in, taking advantage of her open mouth. She meets me, thrust for thrust.
“Fuck, Chess. I want you. Don’t do this to me here where I can’t fix it for either of us.”
We’re wrapped up in each other right here in the middle of the field.
I can hear my players exiting the locker room and heading towards the parking lot.
I hear a few whistles and ‘ow, ow!’ just as I try to peel myself from her.
“See what I mean? How am I going to walk around with this thing now?” I push at her hips with my hard on.
Her eyes flare and she grins, dropping her hands, rubbing me through my shorts.
“Fuck,” I groan out.
“My thoughts exactly. Let’s go.”
I hug her close. “Just give me a few seconds,” she laughs.
“Coach! Remember what I said!” Connor yells out. I drop my head, shaking it and laughing.
“What’d he say?”
“I was lecturing them on how to behave this weekend and he said we all need to remember to wear condoms.”
Chess bursts into a laugh and it squeezes my heart. God, I love hearing that sound.
“See ya tonight coach!” Jameson sing-songs and I don’t look back at them, but I raise my hand giving a thumbs up.
“Wait for them to get in the car and then take me home, Coach Gage.”
“Fuck!” I say for the third time in as many minutes. “You’re killing me, woman. Can you wear my jersey when you call me that?”
She steps away from me, a sway in her hips and I have no choice but to follow. I’d follow her anywhere.
“Whatever you want, Coach Gage.” I growl, and she takes off running, wanting me to chase her. I catch her around the waist and push her against my truck. “You better get that fine ass in my truck before I spank it for taunting me,” her eyes flash again. She likes my talk. “You’re a dirty girl.”
“Filthy,” she replies and jumps in the passenger seat.
She’s going to be the death of me.