AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Clay leans in, brushing his lips over mine. He tastes like every thrill I’ve ever experienced, every dream I’ve dared to dream.
His touch is fiery, but even more, it’s home.
“I love you,” he murmurs. “No matter what happens today, that won’t change. What you do doesn’t mean shit compared to who you do it with.”
I breathe him in. Every inch of this huge man bent over me.
“I love you, too,” I whisper.
An alarm sounds on his phone, breaking us apart. “That must be for Coach,” I guess, regretting the interruption even as I’m anticipating the day to come.
“Yeah. I told him I’d pick him up and take him to the stadium.”
“I hope everything’s ready for the big celebration. Did James come through?”
Since Coach announced his retirement, Chloe has been working to pull together a special acknowledgment for tonight’s game.
Clay’s expression darkens. “Nah. But we figured it out.”
Curiosity rises up. I want to press him for more, but there’s no time.
I press a kiss to his knee. “You be good. I’m watching you.”
He snorts. “What makes you think you can will part of my anatomy to do your bidding, Pink?”
I cock my head, nodding toward his crotch. “Only the fact that I do it every single day.”
Clay’s slow grin is worth each moment of hardship we’ve been through.
“Okay, you have to run,” I say quickly, passing him the shirt. “I’m going to use your bathroom. I’ll let myself out.”
“Sure. I’ll see you at the game.” He kisses me again, then pulls away.
“You’re amazing,” I call after him.
It’s a relief he’s approaching this in a healthy way.
I head down the hall to use the bathroom. On the way back, I glance into the sports memorabilia room and pull up short.
The glass case with his championship ring is empty.
* * *
“How’s Jay feeling?” I grab Brooke’s hand, willing reality to set in.
“He’s a wreck.” She grins. “How’s Clay?”
“He tried to play it cool, but he’s so not cool about this.”
The stadium goes dark, and the music starts.
Spotlights with the Kodiaks logo slice through the darkness.
The announcer interrupts, “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a special presentation thanking the Kodiaks’ longtime former coach.”
When the house lights go up, there’s a video that was made for Coach’s retirement. I bounce lightly on my toes, clasping my hands together as I watch. It’s touching, seeing his incredible career history, watching players say how much he’s meant to them. I’m in tears, and I’m not the only one.
The LA team takes the court, then Denver is announced one by one.
