AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stand in the shower for another moment, my heart racing as I listen to Sage pack up her stuff and scurry out of the room. When it’s silent, I slam my hand against the wet tile and flinch at the sting against my palm. My head hurts with everything I’m trying to comprehend. I have wanted Sage since the first morning I saw her sneaking onto the pool deck, but this is something more.
I knew it was impossible,inappropriate,to be with her. Not only because she’s my athlete but because she’s over a decade younger than me. It didn’t stop me from watching her nearly twice as much as any of her teammates. To find an excuse to have her alone, to put my hands on her in any professional manner I could. While Sage had needed more weight training, I knew there was a more selfish motive when I continued to keep her in the small group in the gym.
“Fuck.” I scowl, stripping off my wet clothes and grabbing a fresh towel before moving to my gym bag. Changing, I head to my office, debating how to deal with the potential fallout of our actions. It doesn’t matter if Sage was receptive to my touch and even initiated more; I am her coach. But the worst part is that I crave it still.
I pause in the doorway of my office, taking in the body resting in my chair
My brother blinks, glancing over my wet hair and casual work out clothes. “What were you doing?” His head tilts to the side, his eyes narrowing in a calculating gaze.
“What areyoudoing?” I counter, slumping onto the couch into the room.
When I accepted this job, I expected a visit sooner or later. The town is less than an hour from where he settled down with his wife. It had been one of the cons when I swallowed my pride and asked for his help to get this job.
My brother and I might not get along, but I can appreciate that he’s done well for himself. He is quickly making a name for himself as a respected lawyer with friends in high places.
Eli hums, settling back. “My spidey senses were tingling. They told me my little brother was fucking something up.”
My mouth dries as I stiffen, trying not to give anything away. This isn't the first time he’s abruptly appeared in my life with some spot-on intuition. I gave up trying to hide anything from him, but I wasn’t going to give him an inch of Sage and me.
“Well, I’m fine. So you can tell your spidey senses to calm down,” I drawl.
He shrugs. “Perhaps. How’s the coaching job?”
“Fine.” I clench my teeth.
“Just fine? Why’d you come here again? Something about a prodigy?” His finger taps his mouth. “Sara? Sadie?”
I fold my arms across my chest. “What are you getting at, Eli?”
He holds up his hands. “Awfully defensive for someone who is doingfine.”
I laugh maliciously, nodding before standing slowly. “You know it might have worked when we were kids. The master manipulates me to reveal things that I don’t want you to know, and then you act like you’ve known the entire time. But we’re not kids anymore and I don’t want to play your bullshit game. Get out.”
My brother stands, tugging at his suit jacket with a sly grin. “I was just visiting my little brother. No game.”
“Sure,” I say, waving my hand towards the door. Eli gives a long sigh before walking out from behind my desk. He moves to hug me but I step back. His lips curl. Of course, he can’t leave without the last word.
“Don’t forget that it was at my recommendation that the athletic board approved you as their coach. You may be a phenomenal player, Fallon. But you haven’t proved yourself as a coach.”
“My repertoire speaks for itself.”
He shakes his head slowly. “Not all players make the best coaches.”
My jaw tightens, but I stand taller. “My reputation as a player is enough to draw the attention that this program needs. While I’m grateful they gave me the opportunity to coach here, let’s not pretend they didn’t need me as much as I needed them.”
Eli sighs. “Don’t do anything to jeopardize your reputation or mine is all I’m saying.”
I give him a bitter smile as I follow him to the door before slamming it in his face. Walking over to my desk, I pull my cell phone out and debate calling the one person who has been the devil and angel on my shoulder. Exhaling slowly, I hit my head on the back of my chair repeatedly before dialing.
“I’m here. Give me like two seconds,” Conor answers hurriedly before he’s cut off by a loud screech that could rival a dinosaur.
I pause, listening curiously in amusement to the chaotic noise coming over the phone.
“Okay, I’m back. What’s up?” Conor says, sounding out of breath.
“Is this a bad time?”
He laughs. “There’s never really a right time unless you call after they go to bed, but by then, I don’t really want to talk to anyone. So now is the… best time.”
