The Assistant Coach (BOOK 1: OMEN KING SERIES)

|𝟻𝟺|

Kohl Warren

I casually wrap Leia's scrunchie around my wrist, admiring how beautiful she looks. Her hair is tied back, slightly damp from the snow outside. The dim lighting in the room only highlights her striking emerald eyes that are locked on me.

She's dressed in a lilac hoodie, black leggings, and white socks, looking effortlessly gorgeous.

Leia is keeping her distance, her small frame standing across the room, leaning against the door. The sound of loud music and voices from the party outside fills the air, but all I can focus on is her.

"You ruined me for everybody," I say again, watching as she scrunches her nose in that adorable way. "In a good way."

It's the truth. Leia has completely ruined me for any other woman. I haven't been interested in anyone else since she came into my life. The idea of being with someone else, or sleeping with other women, doesn't even cross my mind.

"How so?" she asks, her voice coming out soft which I can tell she hates as she clears her throat.

"I thought I already told you the other day, after I left the Halloween party early," I say, noticing the way she raises a perfect eyebrow in response. "My feelings, I mean," I continue, feeling a knot of frustration forming in my chest as I struggle to read her expression.

Is she rejecting me? Pitying me? I can't tell, and it only adds to my irritation.

"Warren, you were drunk," she says, her voice tinged with concern, as if trying to make excuses for my confession.

I feel my jaw clench, the muscles tightening in anger as I grab the scrunchie, pulling it back and letting it go, the snap against my wrist sending a sharp sting through me.

"I wasn't drinking, you know that." I retort with a harshness that surprises even myself, watching as she flinches slightly in response.

I want to soften my tone, to apologize for my outburst, but the words stick in my throat, choked back by my stubborn pride.

"Warren, we're just Coach and-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence," I interrupt, my icy gaze meeting hers. She lets out a small breath before looking at me with those big, siren eyes that always seem to make me feel alive, except for now.

"You were the one who said it first," she says, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. I can feel the anger inside me wanting to escape, but I try to keep it in check.

"I know," I whisper, running a hand through my unruly hair. I stare at the white oak dresser in front of me, trying to focus on something other than her, because if I continue looking at her, I'll just get mad.

I can't shake the memory of Adam; the guy Leia was with before me. They had sex, and even though we weren't officially dating at the time, it still stings.

I can't blame her for that though, but the thought of them together makes me seethe with jealousy.

But even if they are together now, I'll still fight for her. I'll show her that I'm the one she should be with, no matter what it takes. I'm desperate, yes, but I'll be damned if I let someone else steal her away from me.

"If not Coach and Athlete," Leia's hesitant expression is like a flashing red light that instantly grabs my attention.

"Then Friends?" She suggests, her voice tinged with uncertainty, and I can't help but scoff at the idea.

I can feel my frustration threatening to spill over, but instead, I let out a dry laugh. I don't want to get mad at her, even though every fiber of my being is screaming at me to do just that.