Page 56 of Fear of Love (Falling #3)

“Yeah, he even sounded nice. Are you sure that’s really Coach?” another asked, looking in the direction where their coach walked off.

“He’s not that scary. He’s actually pretty nice.” At that, all three of them, including Landon, looked at me like I was crazy.

“Yeah, right.” One shook his head.

“If we tried to ask him how he was doing, he’d cut our balls off,” Another remarked.

“And make us skate suicides for an hour,” the third one pointed out.

I grinned at their expressions. They respected the guy but feared him. Funny, considering he’s always been super nice and friendly with me and the girls.

“You ladies must bribe him or something,” one muttered.

“Just go up and talk to him. It’s a wedding, so he might be a bit more approachable,” I suggested. They all shared an apprehensive look before one shrugged.

“Let's try.” With that, they walked off to find their coach. I was tempted to take back my suggestion but figured, if anything, it would be entertaining watching them walk away with their tails tucked between their legs.

“You are cold,” Landon whispered. “Sending them to their deaths.”

I looked at him over my shoulder as he shook his head. “Hey, it's not my fault Coach loves me.” I shrugged. “Not like you were any better being all silent behind me while I did all the talking.”

“Yeah, that’s because the guy is scary as hell.”

I gave him a look. “He’s not that bad.”

“Babe, he was one of the best defenders before he got hurt. He’s been ranked the top coach in the league for the last five years. Trust me, he’s scary.” Landon shook his head at me.

“Well, he’s nice to me.”

“That’s because you flash that pretty little smile of yours at him. It turns men to putty,” Landon grumbled. I turned all the way around to face him.

“Yeah?” I grinned.

“It’s annoying.” His hands landed on my hips as he dipped his head. “All the guys on the team stare at you.” At that, I scoffed. They didn’t stare at me. Maybe Josie, Tasha, and Mila, but not me.

“No, they don’t.”

“They are right now.” I tried to peek over my shoulder, but Landon drew me in tighter, my hands settling on his chest.

“Someone jealous?” I lifted my eyes to his, a teasing smile playing on my lips.

“Absolutely.” Landon didn’t pause for a second. “You’re mine, and I’m not one to share.” Before I could respond, his lips captured mine, the kiss nothing like the one outside. This one was commanding, his mouth making it clear that I was his and no one else’s.

When he pulled away, I stood there trying to catch my breath.

“Now they can look all they want, but they’ll know I’m the one you come home to.” The way he said it, that deep raspy primal tone, had me clenching my thighs together. All I could do was nod. My lack of response made Landon smirk.

“Gross. Can you maybe not kiss my future wife in front of me?” Mateo walked up to us, holding a beer in one hand with his nose scrunched up.

“Are you ever going to stop saying that?” Landon asked through gritted teeth while looking over at his brother.

“Nope.” Mateo grinned. “If you ever want someone younger who can get it up, just let me know.” He winked.

“You little shithead.” Landon dropped his hand from my waist and took a step toward his younger brother. Mateo stepped back, hands up in surrender.

“Not my fault you can’t get it up like you used to.” Mateo had a taunting grin on his face, knowing just the right buttons to press to piss his brother off. As Landon stalked toward him cursing, I stepped back and headed for the bar, leaving them to it.

I couldn’t drink too much with my painkillers, but I was definitely going to take advantage of the free wine, thanks to the open bar. The bar was situated on the other side of the dance floor with plenty of space for everyone to come and go.

Skirting around the tables, I passed by one of the gorgeous tree trunks that grew right in the middle of the tent, only to pause.

Scrunching my eyebrows, I slowly turned, my mind trying to register what I was seeing. It took a second, but my mouth fell open at the sight before me. Holy shit.

Leaning back against the tree, or well, more like being pressed against the tree trunk, away from guests, was Evelyn, and she wasn’t alone.

I was pretty sure my eyes were as wide as saucers as I stared.

Before either one of them could see me, I quickly pivoted on my heel.

I searched the crowd for Mila or Tasha. Both should have been back by now from helping Josie.

Rising up onto my toes, I scanned the crowd before I caught sight of Bryton’s curly brown hair.

The scene played on repeat in my mind as I quickly made my way toward Bryton, hoping Mila was with him. Muttering sorry to people I passed, I finally saw him up ahead, and thankfully, Mila and Tasha were with him.

I rushed up to them, my eyes open wide with shock. “Tasha. Mila.” All of them turned to look at me in surprise.

“There you are. We thought we lost you,” Mila said.

“I need to talk to you guys.” Before anyone could say another word, I grabbed Mila’s arm and linked my other one through Tasha’s.

“What’s going on?” Trevor came up, drink in hand, looking confused.

“Lyd?” Tasha asked, but I didn’t say anything. I just pulled them to the tent’s exit, not waiting for Bryton and Trevor to follow since I knew they would.

We ducked under the tent, and I led us off to the side where no one could hear us.

“Lydia, what’s wrong?” Tasha asked once I came to a stop and let them go.

“What was that about?” Trevor questioned, looking at me like I lost my mind.

“I…” I struggled to find the words for a moment. This was too big not to tell them. “Okay, so I just saw something that’s huge. Like huge huge.”

“Oh, did you see Wyatt’s cousin with the big ass beard that fell to the floor?” Bryton interjected.

“Huh? What, no.” I shook my head. “I saw Evelyn kissing someone.”

“Evelyn? Really?” Tasha blinked in surprise.

“Who was she kissing?” Mila asked, curiosity written all over her face.

“Um…well…” I looked between Trevor and Bryton, both wearing matching looks of confusion. “She was kissing Coach Barnum.”