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Chapter twenty-one

Kai

“Yami, find me in my office when you’re done!” Coach barks at me, making my head jolt up from under the steaming hot shower.

“Yes, Coach,” I reply automatically, my hands lifting to scrub across my face. What the fuck?

“What did you do, bro?” One of the rookies stares at me from over the partition between the showers.

“Nothing,” I fire back as I quickly rush through the rest of my shower. We didn’t have a game today, just practice. And I can’t think of anything performance-wise he’d need to talk to me about. Shit. I don’t like this.

I turn off the water, dry off as fast as I can, then wrap the towel around my waist. Ignoring everyone, I stride over to my cubby and start yanking on my clothes.

“Where’s the fire, Yami?” Sin calls out, but I don’t answer.

“Coach just called him into his office,” the rookie not-so-helpfully says on my behalf. I shoot him a glare that has him quickly turning his back on me.

“Everything okay?” Sin says, in a quieter voice. After I pull my shirt over my head, I realize he’s standing next to me now, a concerned expression on his face.

I slump down on the bench and stare up at the ceiling, my mind racing in circles, trying to avoid the obvious reason Coach would want to talk to me.

“I don’t know.”

He sits down beside me. “You did good out there today, Yami. There’s no question. Coach wanting to talk to you isn’t always a bad thing, but I get the feeling you’re worried about it.”

I swallow, then force my usual smirk in place. “It’s all good, Sin. No one likes being called to the principal’s office, y’know? But I’m not worried.” I stand up and snatch my ball cap, slamming it over my wet hair. “See you tomorrow.”

Without looking at anyone else, I walk swiftly out of the locker room and down the short hall to the coaching staff’s offices.

I knock on the door and wait for his gruff answer.

“Come in.”

Pushing it open, I step into Coach Stirling’s office. I’ve been in here plenty of times, but this feels different. I’ve never been nervous to talk to one of my coaches before. Then again, I’ve never been involved with a coach’s family member before.

“Take a seat, Yami.”

He stares at me from across the desk for a minute, then another, and it takes everything in me not to squirm. I'm a grown-ass man, a respected baseball player, a goddamn millionaire. And yet, the man has me feeling like a naughty kid who's about to get grounded.

“You and Isabelle,” he starts. “Tell me about that.”

My mouth goes drier than the fucking desert. “What do you wanna know, sir? We were friends back in Florida, when we both went to the same college.”

He nods slowly, then places his forearms on his desk, folding his fingers together and leaning forward.

“Is that all there is? Because my beautiful new wife said something to me the other day about you two.

Something that had me questioning things.

She wondered if there was more to the story about you two being friends in college.

I guess Isabelle had some look in her eyes or some shit.

And then yesterday, Isabelle's hanging with the other wives and girlfriends, waiting outside the locker room. Who was she waiting for, Yami?”

Fuck. What the hell am I meant to say?

“Honestly sir, I don't know why she was outside the locker room. Maybe she was just waiting with the others. We didn't make plans for after the game, so I’m guessing she was just tagging along with the other ladies. But I swear to you, we’re friends. That’s all.”

At least that much is true. I’m not telling him I had sex with her a couple of weeks ago and it was the best sex I’ve had in years. I’m definitely not telling him I want to have sex with her again, or that I hate the fact she’s leaving again soon.

The way he’s looking at me, I’m worried I’m laying it on too thick. And I start to sweat.

A knock on his door breaks the tension, and I’m ready to silently thank whoever walks in for saving my ass.

Until I see it’s Isabelle and her mom.

“Hey honey, sorry if we’re interrupting.” Leanne comes to a stop, smiling at me. “Hi Kai.”

I nod my head. “Nice to see you again.” Then, carefully controlling my expression, I look at Isabelle. “Hey Iz.”

“Kai. H-hi,” she stutters out.

“Hi sweetheart,” Coach says, his voice sounding different. Still gruff, but gentle, somehow. “What’s up?”

Leanne crosses the office and comes to stand beside Coach, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

And the awkward level of this just got higher.

I stare at the floor, anything to not look at Isabelle, who’s still just hovering in the doorway.

“Belles and I were just heading out for lunch, and I realized you forgot your scouting report.”

I’m still looking down so I don’t see his reaction, but I can hear Coach laugh, and then what sounds like the smack of lips. “You’re an angel, Leanne. Thank you. I didn’t want to bother you and ask you to drop it off.”

“Tony Stirling, you’re not a bother,” Isabelle’s mom chides.

Jesus Christ, how long do I have to suffer through this? I chance another quick look at Isabelle, and her face tells me she’s just as uncomfortable as I am. I give her a wry grin, then look away quickly. Enough to tell her I’m in this hell with her.

“Okay. We’ll be on our way and leave you to your meeting. Nice to see you again, Kai,” Leanne says, her hand landing on my shoulder as she walks past. I finally lift my gaze to give her a respectful smile.

“You too. Bye Iz.”

“Bye Kai. Bye Tony. Sorry again for interrupting.”

She’s gone before anyone can say anything else, but Leanne pauses in the doorway, something unspoken passing between her and Coach. “See you later, honey.”

The door shuts behind them, and I drag my gaze up to Coach.

He’s back to staring at me.

Neither one of us speaks for a minute or two. Then he leans back, takes off his hat to rub his head before putting it back on.

“You can go, Yami.” He exhales. “Just… Is there anything I need to worry about with you two?”

I shake my head. “No sir.”

His jaw visibly tightens, then relaxes. “Good.” He shifts his attention to his playbook, and I know I’m dismissed.

I stand up and move to the door, coming to a stop when he speaks one more time.

“See that it stays that way, Yami.”

At home, after I’ve mindlessly eaten one of the preprepared meals I have stocked in my fridge for days like this — days where my brain seems incapable of functioning — I sit on my couch and stare at my phone where a message from Isabelle waits.

IZ: OMG. I’m so sorry about earlier. I couldn’t text sooner because Mom and I had plans.

Are you okay? That was so freaking weird, I had no idea we were going by the stadium or that you would be in with Tony.

I was gonna stay in the car but I had to pee so I went in with Mom. But why were you in Tony’s office????

It would be easier if I just brushed it off. Told her everything was fine, the conversation with Coach was no big deal. But there’s enough half-truths and outright lies flying around right now, I won’t add one between the two of us.

KAI: Hey, don’t worry about it. I had no idea I’d be in his office either. He wanted to talk to me after practice. Grilled me about you, about our past.

IZ: Shit. What did you say?

KAI: The truth. That we’re just friends.

The three dots bounce. She’s typing. But nothing shows. Then they start bouncing again. Fuck, she’s typing and deleting.

KAI: Seriously Iz. Don’t worry. Everything’s fine.

IZ: I hate that you’re in this position. Seriously, of all the freaking baseball coaches, mom had to fall in love with yours? It’s like some cosmic joke or something.

I lean forward, my thumbs flying over my phone screen. No way in hell can I let her think that, for even a second.

KAI: Listen. It’s no joke, it’s the best fucking surprise ever. Yeah, it was a little awkward at first, but getting to see you again? To hang out and talk to you? That’s worth everything to me.

IZ: Kai…

KAI: Can I call you?

IZ: No. Unfortunately, I’m currently hiding out in the bathroom, but Tony and Mom are waiting for me so we can eat a late dinner.

KAI: Damn. I hope he doesn’t give you any shit. If he does, let me know.

IZ: He won’t.

IZ: Besides I’m not worried about him being upset with me. You’re his star pitcher. I’m just his wife’s daughter.

KAI: He cares about you Iz, I bet that’s why he questioned me.

IZ: I know he does, but I hope he doesn’t make things weird for you.

IZ: Speaking of weird… My message the other day.

Don’t think you have to say anything, but I just wanted you to know there’s no pressure if you’re thinking that wasn’t a smart idea.

I mean I hope you don’t regret it, but it’s all good if you changed your mind and that was a one and done kinda thing. Seriously.

KAI: You’re cute when you ramble, even over text.

KAI: I was gonna respond. I just didn’t know if I should put what I wanted to say, in writing. In case your mom was there when you read it.

IZ: Oh.

KAI: Yeah. Oh. If having sex with you was a bad idea, I don’t care. I don’t regret it, and trust me, I want a repeat. I can’t stop thinking about a repeat. About all the things I wanna do to you, with you, for you.

IZ: Like…

KAI: I said I didn’t want to put it in writing so I guess you’ll have to wait to find out.

IZ: You’re mean. Cruel. Torturer!

KAI: Don’t you have dinner to get to?

IZ: Just you wait Kai Yamaki. I know how to hit you where it hurts…

KAI: Bring it on baby. I’m ready for you.