Page 37 of Stalked By the Assistant Coach

“I noticed what you like when I was over two weeks ago.”

“But you have almost every single kind I like.” Her head tilted, and she studied me for a long moment. I tried not to squirm under her scrutiny.

“Yeah, and?”

“And how did you remember all those?”

“I took a picture of them,” I blurted. “Took a picture of them on my phone when I was over last time and ordered them online. I wanted you to have the things you like here,” I explained as my shoulders rose and dropped. I was shocked as hell when she didn’t jump off my lap. Instead, she leaned in closer, resting her head in the crook of my neck. She believed me, and I started to relax.

“I have the best boyfriend.”

“I’m too old to be a boyfriend,” I muttered. I had plans on changing what she called me to people. The only reason I hadn’t proposed and dragged her to Vegas yet was because I didn’t want her to feel rushed.

“Thank you for taking care of me,” she whispered against my neck, and I sighed slowly.

“Always, Kait.” Whether she knew it or not.

“Okay, I better go call Brewer.” She lifted her head, and fuck me, I didn’t want to let her go. “Do you mind if I call from your bedroom?” I shook my head.

“No, baby, go do what you need. I will order us some food. Sound good?”

“Thank you.” I opened my mouth to tell her she didn’t have to thank me, but her fingers covered my mouth. “I know I’ve said it over and over, but… when I found that camera, all I could think about was seeing you. Going to you. I know this"—she pointed between us— “is technically new, but…”

“What, bug?” I asked hoarsely.

“You’ve always been the one I could count on.” You’re also the monster that scared her. “Thank you.” My ladybug kissed me softly before getting up off my lap and moving to my room.

My hands clenched and flexed. She was fucking thanking me when I was the one who’d scared her.

With a shake to my head, I pulled my phone from my pocket and stared at the screen. The house was quiet, and I could hear when she called Brewer to let him know she had to take a couple of days off. I knew better. I was fucking grown enough to know better, but when it came to Kaitlyn, I couldn’t help myself.

I texted Brewr immediately while they spoke.

Me: Don’t give her shit about the time off. Give her what she needs and be nice about it. Or else.

The message said it was read, but he didn’t respond. Brewer knew better than to ask or else what. He knew what I was holding over his head, and even then, I didn’t feel an ounce of remorse for blackmailing my old boss. Not when it helped me have Kait under my roof.

Before they ended their conversation, Brewer texted back the middle finger emoji, but when I heard her say thank you with a sigh of relief, I knew he’d done as I’d asked.

CHAPTER 12

KAITLYN

Semi-living with Red was everything I had thought it would be and more. I had been at his place for a week. Starting and ending my days next to him was bliss. I felt like I lived in a beautiful bubble that somehow felt too good to be true.

I’d noticed things around his place that felt familiar and like home. Hell, the whole house itself was like something off a Pinterest board I would have created. I sat on the couch looking around the living room when something caught my eye. A picture of the two of us was framed and on a shelf. It had been taken a long time ago, the summer after we had graduated. A picture I remembered snapping on a whim but didn’t remember printing. The front door opened, and I smiled to see him walk in. I liked when he came home.

“Hey, bug.” He grinned, and I smiled.

Standing up, I walked toward him. It was no surprise he pulled me into his arms when I was within reach and kissed me like his life depended on it. Every time he came home from work, it was the same thing. He’d kiss me hello, and somehow, we would get carried away and end up against some part of his house. Almost never actually making it to the bedroom.

But before we did that, I pulled back. He scowled at me.

“When did you print that picture?” I asked before he picked me up. I felt his body go taut. He tried to mask his reaction, but I could have sworn he almost went as white as a sheet.

“What picture?” I frowned. Are there more pictures of us around his place?

“The one on the shelf.” I pointed, and his broad somewhat stiff shoulders seemed to relax.