Taste of Commitment (Whisky and Risky #2)

27. Knox

Knox

“Alright lads, bring it in.” The sun has started setting earlier, and our practice has gone on a little longer today. I can see the steam emitting from the team’s bodies as their sweat and heat mix with the cool evening air. “This will be our last drill for the day, we’re going to practice our T-drills. So grab a partner. One of you is going to start on the cone, and your partner will be on the opposite side. The partner with the pad is going to call out right or left and you’re going to come in from that side. We’re focusing on managing your space and those side tackles here. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Alright. Do one warm-up and two all out before you switch.” They pair off, grabbing their pads and cones and I move off to the sidelines, smiling when I feel my pocket vibrate with what I hope is a text from Taylor.

I used to be the guy with a social media manager running my accounts for me and aside from my group chat with the team and my texts between Dax and Liam, most of the time my phone was off. Now I’m the guy with a premature grin on my face hoping to see a few words from my girl .

My smile turns to a grimace when I see an urgent email from Coach Henderson.

KB,

Haven’t heard from you in a while and I wanted to check in. The league needs to have all their paperwork set here by the end of the week, and we’re still waiting on your forms. I’m sure this is still an adjustment for you but I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity since I can’t guarantee this position or one like it will be available again.

Give me a call and you know I’m always here to talk it out with you.

-Henderson

I stand, unmoving against the wind that picks up around me, and I read the e-mail over and over. The truth is, I’ve thought less and less about that offer with every day that passes. I put it on the back burner with the intention of coming back to it once I knew more about my recovery. Now that I’m here, I can’t very well put it off much longer. I think about leaving this town and my family and friends. I did it before and was welcomed back like no time had passed. I like to think I know a little better now though, and that this time would be different. This time I wouldn’t lose myself completely in this sport.

I watch the boys switch sides across the pitch and get lost in all the reasons I haven’t called Henderson back yet, but out of all the reasons, the one that shines the brightest is Taylor. I might not know what lies ahead for us, and that’s on me for not having this conversation with her yet, but one thing I’m certain of is that I don’t want to be anywhere Taylor isn’t .

Whistles and low cat calls go off around me and I pocket my phone looking for the source of distraction for the group of teenage boys. Sure enough, when I turn around, I find my perky blonde who thankfully chose to wear a bra today. I snap my head back to the field, eyes narrowed, and the four boys that are catcalling my girl. Immediately, they snap into action. Nolan trips over Brody as they scurry to collect the cones and avoid my glare.

Taylor’s steps hault a foot away from me, but fuck that. I pull her in flush against my body, wrapping my arms around her. Her chin tilts up with a sly smile.

“I missed you last night.”

“Yeah?” Her smile spreads across her entire face.

“And this morning,” I growl in her ear.

“You’re so baby girl.”

“I don’t know what that means, but yes.” The little chuckle that falls from her mouth is the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.

She takes a step back, eyeing the field behind me before whispering, “Can I kiss you here?”

“I’d like to see someone try and stop you.”

Her fingers wrap around my forearms as she pulls herself up on her toes and places her pillowy soft lips on mine. It’s perfect and sweet, and way too short. I guide her with my hand on her lower back over towards the sidelines. “So, how was the night?”

“It was surprisingly… fun.”

“You went out expecting to not have fun?”

“I don’t really think I was expecting anything. I guess I was just a little shocked at how inviting everyone was. They all treated me as if I grew up here with them.” I open my mouth to respond and feel the weight of my phone when it begins vibrating in my pocket. I’d bet my life savings it’s Coach. “Anyway, most of them said that they would be over for dinner at the inn tomorrow night, so that should be fun.”

I nod and can feel my brows pinching together as I try, and bring myself back to this conversation.

“So… are you done here?”

I scratch the back of my neck, looking out at the boys collecting the last of our gear. “Just about, but I have my last physical therapy after this. Meet me at my house in an hour?”

“Works for me, I’m going to go grab a meat pie before Alfie closes.”

I cock a brow looking at my watch. “You’ve got like five hours.”

“Nope.” She shakes her head, smiling. “He’s got a hot date tonight. Closing shop early.”

“Really? Alfie, you sly dog.”

“Watch out!” I hear the words just as a brown object comes flying into my peripheral. Without taking my eyes off Taylor, I lift my hand an inch from her face, and not a millisecond later, the warm leather of the ball is smacking my skin. Her eyes go wide and her lips part.

“Sorry, Coach,” Nolan says, running up, completely out of breath. “Nice save though.” I toss him the ball and he gets the message, heading the other way.

“Come on, you were a little impressed by that.” I can’t help how the corner of my mouth lifts with a cheeky smirk.

“I would have been more impressed had you stopped it a little further away from my face.”

“It wouldn’t have been scary then, which would have made the catch less sexy.”

“Is that what you call that? Sexy?” I dip my head in the crook of her neck pressing my lips to her soft skin and feel her head drop back and I know she’s smiling. “Alright, Cocky.” She playfully slaps my shoulder. “I’m going to get my food. I’ll see you in an hour.”

“Kiss me again.” I run my nose over hers.

“Hey Coach, got a minute?” I freeze when I recognize Ronan’s voice. Taylor’s soft smile tells me that she understands. Her lips lightly peck my rough cheek before she slides past me, and I watch her take off as I have done so many times over the last few weeks, before I turn to face Ronan.

“What’s up?”

“I just want to say thanks. I uh…” He lifts his hand, scratching the back of his messy brown hair as he looks around. “That advice you gave me… it helped.”

“Yeah?”

“You were right. Both rugby and Kaylie are important to me. My friends, too.” He gestures back to Nolan and the other boys. “I’m willing to make sacrifices but I’m not going to sacrifice everything to get there.” I stare at the kid in front of me but I feel like I’m a thousand miles away. How could I tell him to not give up his life for a sport while I’ve been sitting here contemplating doing exactly that? Again. Ronan clears his throat looking around. “Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks, again.”

He tosses me the ball and I just barely catch it before he runs off and I’m more confused than ever.