Chapter 25

Mo

One punch.

That's all it would take to knock Wes right on his ass. We both know it and yet he still corners me in the locker room after our morning practice.

It's admirable in the most pathetic way possible.

"Hey Mo, do you have a minute?" Wes runs a hand through his sweat-soaked hair, the tension in his posture a dead giveaway, "Just want to talk about the other morning."

Closing my locker, I keep my expression carefully neutral as I give the co-captain my undivided attention.

"Go ahead."

He gulps down a breath, "Right. So, about the thing with you and Nico…" Wes sighs, shaking his head, "I'm no good at this. You're an older brother, right?"

"Stella is my younger sister, yes."

He nods as if my confirmation was some much needed ammunition, "So you know what it's like to look out for someone. To have their best interest at heart even when it doesn"t align with your own."

It's easy to see where this conversation is going, but I stay silent, letting him continue.

"What I'm trying to say here is Nico is like a brother to me. There's no point in threatening you bodily harm because we both know that wouldn't end well for me."

I huff out a laugh and he grins, "And I can't afford to break the money-maker. So, the moral of the story is be transparent about your intentions and I won't have to get my ass kicked in his honour. Deal?"

I tilt my head in acknowledgement, "Deal."

He turns to leave but I open my mouth before he can make it to the door.

"You did well during the passing drill today." Wincing, I force the rest of the words out, "Demonstrated excellent leadership skills. I was impressed."

Wes whips around, excitement radiating from his every pore, "Really?! Which drill do you think was the best? I thought the last one…"

He trails off, catching my frown.

"Ah, what I meant to say was thank you."

I grimace, wanting this conversation to end as quickly as possible, "See you next practice, Captain."

Wes gives me one last beaming smile before turning and walking out of the locker room. Taking an internal assessment, I wait for the disappointment to hit me, for the panic of a newfound weakness to descend.

But it never does.

You put up these barriers no one can climb over but at the end of the day, the only person you're blocking is yourself.

The memory of Nico's confrontation floods my mind, and I can't help but think maybe there was more truth in his argument than I gave him credit for.

I'm supposed to be on my way home for the weekly office meeting, but the moment I spot Cody's blonde fauxhawk weaving through the crowd, I adjust my path to intercept him.

"Ellsworth!"

He turns at my voice and gives me a grin, "Hey, Mo. Didn't realize you'd still be on campus at this hour."

I sneak a quick glance at my watch and throw away any intention of making it to my meeting on time. Steven will have to entertain everyone with his latest misinterpretation of our financial data until I arrive.

"I'm not usually, but one of your captains needed to have a word with me after practice." I nod towards the textbooks piled in his arms, "On your way to class?"

Cody nods, "My next class is in the science building if you're up for the walk."

"Lead the way."

He takes us through Taber's courtyard as a shortcut, the crisp fall air and fallen leaves leaving no doubt that winter is just around the corner. There are a couple students studying together on the benches lining the stone walkway, their easy laughter and chit chat reminding me of my own freshman year before the accident.

"Was it Nico?" Cody glances at me, casually clocking my reaction.

"To what are you referring to?"

"The conversation that kept you overtime." He grins, "Unless there's something else you want to tell me."

I feel my defences creep up as I turn my attention back to the scenery around us. Until last weekend, I had never acknowledged the bisexual label out loud. Once I discovered my appetite for both sexes, it became a fact that was internally known rather than stated.

Frankly, it was something I never felt the need or desire to share. It was the one part of my life that was completely my own until I met Nico Montez.

And then he fucked it all up.

"It was Wes, actually. He wanted to talk to me about my relationship with Montez." I glance at Cody to gauge his reaction. Not a flicker of surprise crosses his features.

"Fair enough. Are you still enjoying coaching the team?"

My shoulders lift in an easy shrug, "It's a nice break from the board meetings. Has the potential to be rewarding if the players continue their improvement."

Cody lets out a whistle, "Improvement? I don't think I've ever heard you speak so highly of your teammates, O'Brien."

I frown, "Don't get ahead of yourself. These guys have a long way to go before anything impressive happens."

He smiles, "And there's the O'Brien mentality. Always striving for a goal that will never standstill long enough to be attained."

My frown deepens as the truth of his words sink in.

There has never been a time when I've been truly satisfied with my performance, when I've walked away from a tournament without a list of things to improve on. It was the way my father raised me but I hadn't realized it had crossed over into my coaching as well.

Clearing my throat, I voice the question suddenly burning the tip of my tongue.

"Did I provide positive feedback back when I was captain?" Meeting his gaze, I force out the second, more important part of the question, "When I was your mentor?"

Cody's brown eyes flick between mine, his silence an answer in itself. I swallow thickly, turning away from my friend before he can see the disgust in my eyes.

I've become my father.

"I wouldn't say you provided me with positive feedback." Cody speaks slowly, his considerate tone breaking through my dark thoughts, "But you were the role model both me and the team needed. Never settling for average, you were the reason the Tigers became undefeated champions. Because you weren't afraid to push for more."

He shrugs, "Maybe some validation would have been nice, but at the end of the day, it was your drive and commitment to the team that got the results. And that was enough for me."

A laugh escapes me, "I knew there was a reason you were my favourite. You always know the right thing to say."

He grins, shifting the books in his arms, "I was your favourite because I was the only player who didn't complain about the extra time in the weight room."

"That too."

Cody chuckles just as we arrive to the science building. The beige structure looks identical to all the other buildings on campus, except for the faded science sign hanging above the main entrance.

"Seriously though, don't get in your head with all this coaching stuff. You're a natural leader, Mo, and nothing like your father."

Pulling the science door open, I shoot him a look, "Who said anything about my father?"

Cody grins, "Your face did. Oh, and good luck with Nico. I think you'll need it."

I give him the middle finger and he laughs, bounding through the door before I can let it swing shut on his ass.

Nico

"Maybe I'll just go naked."

Lacey puts her hands on her hips, "You are not showing up to your first date in your birthday suit."

"Why not?" I throw another shirt over my head and onto the growing pile on my floor, "It's better than any of my other options."

She gives me a pointed look, "The reasons are endless. It leaves a bad first impression-

"Already checked that one off."

-you wouldn't be allowed inside the club. If you were allowed inside you would catch some sort of disease-

"A STI sounds pretty good right about now."

-and your dick would shrivel up from the cold and be nothing to brag about." Lacey purses her lips and stares me down, "Do you want me to continue?"

I sigh, "The last one got me."

"Then it's settled. You're wearing clothes like a normal person." She turns and starts sorting through my closet, leaving me with no choice in the matter.

"Since when is being normal my custom?"

Lacey pulls out a black crop top and holds it out for my inspection, "Since when do you go on dates?"

"Touché." I shake my head, rejecting yet another of my signature club outfits, "Nothing too scandalous. I don't want Maurice thinking I'm gay."

She bursts out laughing, "Pretty sure he's already figured that one out."

I groan, "No, not gay as in homosexual, I mean gay as in flamboyant. He's about as straight as a gay man can be and I don't want to scare him off with my wilder tendencies."

"Nico, the man has already seen your code red charade. If that doesn't have him running, showing a little skin certainly won't."

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Lacey gives me a shy smile, "Besides, that's what makes you special."

"Wearing outrageous tops?"

She shakes her head, "Your ability to be yourself in any situation. The guy I know wouldn't care what his date thinks of his outfit because he would already know it looks amazing."

This girl is too smart for her own good.

"Awe, mi amor. Bring it in."

Pulling her in for a hug, I breathe in her floral scent and relish the fact we are back living in the same town. Having to talk to Lacey through video calls and text messages last year was harder than I had anticipated.

Long distance friendships are not for the win.

A knock on my door interrupts our moment, the familiar squeal of excitement telling me exactly who is waiting on the other side. Lacey tilts her head to look at me, resting her chin on my chest as she gives me a grin.

"Do you want to let her in or should I?"

I wince, "You go. I need to hide damaging evidence."

She snorts, "I'm pretty sure Stella has seen condoms before."

"Not when they're being used by her brother, she hasn't."

Shooing her towards the door, I start running around my room, tossing clothes back into one main pile on my floor and throwing all the spare condoms and lube bottles into my nightstand.

I've just shut my fun drawer when Maurice's younger sister comes barging in.

"I've got a special delivery!" Strutting into my bedroom like she owns the place, Stella gives me a blinding smile and hands over a plain paper bag.

"You didn't have to get me anything."

I take the bag without hesitation, my love of gifts immediately overtaking the need to scan my room for more condoms.

"It's not from me. Hurry up so I can see what's inside!" She claps her hands and I look at Lacey with a frown.

"If you didn't get this for me then who…" My voice dies when I spot an elegant white card sitting inside.

Try not to get this one dirty -Maurice

My jaw drops as I read and re-read the handwritten note, the perfect calligraphy making me want to have it framed so I can put it up on my wall.

"What is it? Mo refused to let me see it." Stella creeps closer, trying to peer past the tissue paper. Lacey joins, taking the card from my hand and flipping it over.

"It looks like the type of card that comes with flower bouquets. Or something equally expensive." She looks at Stella, "Where did he say he bought it?"

"He didn't say. He just handed me the bag and said to have it delivered today by 7 PM." Stella gestures impatiently at the bag in my hand, "Can you open it already?"

I gulp, trying to calm my racing heart, "This is a lot to take in."

Lacey smiles and passes back the card, "Open the gift before you overthink. Stella might die of anticipation if you don't."

"I almost went into cardiac arrest on the way here." Stella grins, flicking her platinum braid over her shoulder, "It took all my self-control not to peek."

Lacey looks at her admirably, "I would have looked for sure."

"It was close. I almost broke waiting at the door."

The girls break into laughter while I pull apart the tissue paper with shaking hands. Bright red material assaults my vision as I unveil the gift, the silky material of the dress shirt one thousand times softer than any of the shirts I've invested in over the years.

"Oh, Nico." Covering her mouth, Lacey looks at me with glassy eyes, "He found the one you lost."

I can only nod, the emotions clogging my throat as I carefully switch out my pre-date loungewear for this masterpiece. The impossibly soft material strokes my skin as I adjust the collar around my neck and undo the top two buttons.

Maurice bought me a shirt.

Maurice bought me the shirt.

Struggling to catch my breath, I give the girls a spin, showing off my new top from every angle. Stella lets out a hoot and Lacey shakes her head with a smile. Something sharp stabs my side, and with a frown, I pull out the price tag

And scream.

"What's wrong?" Lacey races forward, reaching for the tag but Stella snatches it away before she can see how many zeros are attached to this shirt.

"You weren't supposed to see that." She huffs, "Mo always forgets to take off the price tag. It's such a bad habit."

"Why would he pay that much for a shirt?!"

The question comes out as a shriek, my eyes still glued to the price tag in Stella's hands, "That's not normal."

Lacey snorts, "Didn't you just say normal wasn't your custom?"

I open my mouth but Stella beats me to the punch, "Mo wouldn't have looked at the price tag before buying this – and trust me when I say this is not the most he has spent on a shirt."

Holy shit.

I've found the hottest sugar daddy in Canada.

Stella waves a hand, "The important thing here is the gesture of a gift. I can't remember the last time Mo did something spontaneous let alone something spontaneous for someone else."

Meeting my eyes, she suddenly drops the smile, "If you break my brother's heart, I will cut you into pieces and bury them at my family's estate. My father could easily hire a hitman but I would rather have the pleasure of killing you myself. Understood?"

And to think Maurice is the O'Brien everyone fears.

I give her a weak thumbs up while Lacey watches the interaction with wide eyes. Stella's sparkling smile soon returns and she leans forward to give my hand a quick squeeze.

"So glad we got that out of the way. Have so much fun tonight!"

She bounces from the room like an evil fairy and I only let out a breath when I hear the dorm door open and close.

"I think that went well." Lacey bursts out laughing while I stare at her with my jaw on the floor.

"What just happened?"

Wiping her eyes, Lacey walks over and pops the third button of my top open.

"You just got the best first date present ever. But moving forward, just make sure you stay on your sister-in-law's good side. Even Cecelia wouldn't stand a chance against that one."

"Amen."

I heave out a breath, unable to tear my gaze away from my reflection in the mirror, "At least Maurice helped me figure out tonight's outfit theme."

Lacey tilts her head, assessing the new fit.

"Red and ready to shred?"

My face splits into a grin, "Bold and bright."