Chapter 31

"Jacobs, got a minute?" Coach Weber asks from the doorway of the weight room where I'm busy pushing myself with weights to distract me from what's to come this weekend. The team has an away game series at Charleston Tech.

It's been a week since our impromptu dinner with Chloe's dad, and I'm still working off the extra calories

Placing the dumbbells back on the rack, I reach for my towel and wipe the sweat from my face before walking to where Coach is waiting. He turns as I approach, and I follow him, in silence, down the hallway toward his office. Coach rounds his desk, sitting in his chair as I take the seat across from him.

"We haven't had a chance to talk about your plans post-college. There have been a few scouts at our last handful of games, and your name has been tossed around. I wanted to take a minute to see where your head's at." Coach Weber steeples his fingers as he places weight on his elbows waiting for my response.

Sitting up in my chair, I readjust myself until I'm sitting taller, more confident. "Honestly, Coach, I've been thinking about that very same question for a few weeks now." His brows quirk up at what I can only assume is the ominous tone in my voice. "I want to stay at CTU."

I watch as his lips purse together, the only reaction he gives me, and I'm stuck wondering if I've made the right decision. Or if he's going to be disappointed that I don't want to take my chances now.

"Does a certain blonde have anything to do with your decision?" he asks, again his face is stuck in a neutral reaction. If I hadn't seen the quick movement of his lips, I would have thought he hadn't moved at all.

Leaning forward, I straighten my spine. "No, sir. As much as I love how my relationship has evolved with Chloe, she didn't have anything to do with my decision. This is something that has been weighing on me for most of the season. As excited as I am that the league is sending scouts to watch me, I want to focus on completing my degree."

He nods. Nods. That's it. He stares me down for a few more minutes, and as much as I want to shrink under his intense gaze, I don't.

"Good," he says, leaning back in his chair, his arms relaxing, resting on his armrests before a smile spreads across his face softening his tough exterior. I relax along with him. "I wanted to make sure the decision was coming from you. I have no doubt in my mind Chloe wouldn't be the type of girl to hold you back, but this is a big decision. One I wanted to make sure you are most certain about. While I have no doubt you'll go far at the next level, selfishly, I'm glad you're staying for one more year. You've been an incredible asset to the baseball program and a tremendous guy to coach."

"Thank you, sir."

Bursting with pride I welcome the warm feeling it brings that spreads through my veins. It's one thing to know that you are good at a sport, but there's something even more rewarding to know that at the end of the day, you are someone that a coach enjoys coaching. So many athletes are talented but have horrible egos. I'm glad to hear that while I do display a bit of a cocky behavior at the end of the day, I've been someone he doesn't want to see leave.

Coach Weber's desk phone rings interrupting our conversation. He glances at the screen before tipping his head back in my direction. "I've got to take this."

"No worries. Thanks, Coach." I stand, stepping out of his office. Once I've cleared the doorway, I let the smile I was fighting take over my face. With the admittance of my plans for the future, I feel a weight release from my shoulders. No longer do I have to worry about what comes next. For right now, I can focus on baseball and my girl, no more talks of the major leagues at this point.

My body feels lighter. My head is clearer.

Walking down the hallway toward the locker room, I stop to take in the photos on the wall. Looking at the previous team pictures, I can't wait to see this year's one beside them, only holding a trophy.

We've won over twenty games so far this season, and most of the sports commentators are predicting that come May, we'll be a real threat to any team we face. I have to agree with them. I know how bad I want it, and while not everyone on the team is on the same level as I am, they're close. Coach Weber can sense it too. It's why he's been pushing us so hard.

Pushing through the locker room doors, I find the rest of the team already inside. Most of the guys have showered from our light workout session and are gathered in the attached lounge room playing video games. Standing in front of my locker, I triple-check that I have all of my gear for our road game.

I'm almost done putting everything back inside my bag when I see Hudson from the corner of my eye.

"Everything good with you and Coach?" He crosses his arms while leaning back against the post separating the lockers. His game face is already starting to appear.

With a nod, I place my extra glove in my bag and zip it close before standing up and facing Hud. "Yeah, everything is good. We were having a follow-up on what's to come."

"Annnnd?" he draws out, spinning his finger in a circle. "Don't leave me in suspense."

With a shit-eating grin, I say, "I'll be back next year."

"Oh hell yeah!" Hudson shouts, his excitement bouncing off the walls, as he claps me on the shoulder. "The dynamic duo is coming back. They can't get rid of Larsen and Jacobs that easily."

Turning in the direction of the lounge room, I let out a soft chuckle as Hudson falls in step with me. "Bro, I don't think anyone has ever called us ‘the dynamic duo.'"

"Wait, they don't? What the hell is up with that?"

Walking into the space, there's a group of guys on the leather couch playing a video game on the big screen while others are lounging on beanbags, cell phones in hand. This room is one of the only rooms where Coach permits cell phones.

Ty looks up from his spot on the couch, the game controller in his hand. "What's with you two?"

"Oh this dumb ass," I start, pointing my finger at Hud, "Thinks that everyone calls us ‘the dynamic duo.'"

Ty stares at us from his spot on the bean bag as some of the other guys turn in our direction. His eyes squint, and the guys start laughing. "That's the douchiest thing I've ever heard."

"Right." Squeezing my way through the guys, I find an empty beanbag and plop down on it.

Closing his phone, Nolan leans up and looks at Ty. "No the ‘douchiest,'" he says putting air quotes around douchiest, "thing I've heard is you saying douchiest. Who says that, and what does it even mean?"

"Like the most douchebag thing you can say."

Nolan shakes his head, turning his attention back to his phone. Whatever he's reading on his phone has him huffing his breath as a dark cloud dampens his mood.

"You good, Nolan?"

He grunts a response but doesn't take his eyes off his phone. I make a mental note to check in with him when we get to Charleston. Hopefully, by then he'll have his personal life sorted, but if not, it's my job as a captain—and friend—to make sure everyone's heads are in check.

A couple of hours later, the guys and I are walking across the pavement to board the bus which will take us to the airport where we'll board the university's jet to Charleston. Climbing up the three steps, my eyes immediately start searching for my Wildflower.

She's sitting in her usual row, a little before the halfway mark of the bus, the inside seat near the window. Her golden blond hair is pulled back in one of those clips she loves to wear as her head is tipped down, no doubt her nose is already glued in a book. I smile at the sight of my girl.

Slipping into the vacant seat beside her, I watch as she slowly turns her attention my way. Her eyes widen, and she startles slightly, no doubt she assumed I was Ty since they sit together every ride.

"Hey, handsome." She turns her whole body, smile spread wide, as she leans into me.

Wrapping my free hand around her shoulders, I pull her in close to me. Our lips find each other in greeting. Her infamous scent of lilies and sandalwood envelopes my senses.

Humming against her lips, I reluctantly pull away. "How's my Wildflower?"

"Good. I just downloaded a new book to keep me company while we travel."

"Mmm, anything good?"

Her lips find mine again as she murmurs, "Wouldn't you like to know," against them. And yes, yes I'd like to fucking know.

She pulls away first, my favorite shade of pink is spread across her cheek. Hmm, looks like my girl is in the mood. As that thought flashes across my mind, I feel the blood rush south.

Reaching down I adjust myself underneath the team-issued travel sweatsuit. Her eyes track my movement as I watch her pull her bottom lip between her teeth. She bites down, and all I can think about is being the one to bite her lip, which isn't helping the situation in my pants.

"Looking forward to this weekend?"

She nods enthusiastically. "I am. I'm hoping to sneak away for a few hours to do a few tourist things. I've been wanting to explore Charleston's charm since I started watching that show on Bravo. I'll probably try to Uber to White Point Garden."

"You and your reality shows," I mutter. Chloe and Brynn are obsessed with reality TV. It's always playing on their TV, even if no one is sitting in the room watching. I swear they enjoy the drama as background noise. "Why there?"

She shrugs, a wistful expression sliding over her face. "I googled a couple of different things, and this was the farthest location, but I think I'll be able to see the most. Statues, historical architecture, the ocean, and everything in between."

"We'll have to try and sneak away."

A throat clears from behind us. "You sitting here, Jacobs?"

Pressing my lips tight against my girl's one last time, I pull away and stand to my feet. "Nah, man. Enjoy the ride."

Moving down the aisle, I slide past Hudson and take my empty seat next to the window.

I've no sooner sat down when my phone chimes in my pocket. I clearly forgot to put it on vibrate.

Dad: See you soon.

Dread instantly crawls up my spine. Not only am I dreading the fact that my parents will be at the game, but there's no way I want him to be in the same space as Chloe. Today there's a good chance that my two worlds are going to collide. I've tried everything to keep my dad away from my CTU family. He's like a leech who attaches to anyone in his path and tries to suck out their light.

It's for her own good.

I can't let Chloe get near him. I can't risk her being a victim of his torment. Of his abusive mind games. Especially after the game when he's had nine innings to sit and drink. The alcohol is like pouring lighter fluid on an open flame. It won't take him long before he's ready to combust. And as his favorite target, he'll seek me out immediately ready to spit his venom.

Will she understand if I start to distance myself from her?

Closing out the text and not wanting any more distractions, I flip my phone to "Do Not Disturb."

Hudson nudges my shoulder, his eyes bouncing from the phone in my hand back up to my face. "You good?"

With my lips pursed together, I give him a tight nod as I slip my phone back into my pocket. Closing my eyes, I take a minute to practice a few breathing exercises the yoga instructor was teaching us at the beginning.

Inhale the good shit. Exhale the bullshit.

Or whatever the saying she taught us was.

Slipping my Bluetooth headphones on over my head, I tune out for the drive to the airport and somehow our flight to Charleston.

Before long we are stepping off the plane, boarding another bus, and making our way to the hotel we are staying at. Even though Chloe and I aren't sitting together, I can still feel her positive energy vibrating around the bus. I wish I could contain a fraction of her excitement for this trip.

Unfortunately, I think I'm going to be on edge the entire time patiently waiting for the other shoe to drop.