The Assistant Coach (BOOK 1: OMEN KING SERIES)

|𝟼𝟶|

Kohl Warren

"Damn, it's like a heavenly aroma slapped me in the face!" Rocky practically shouts as we burst into our cluttered dorm room.

Rocky's eyes light up at the sight of the steaming pizza box that's now placed on the table, practically salivating at the thought of sinking his teeth into a slice.

Owen strides in confidently with Ari and Leia in tow, chattering away about our victory.

Meanwhile, Rocky and Tim are practically drooling over the greasy goodness of the pizza, their eyes glued to the box like it's a treasure chest.

Ant and Athena are engaged in a heated argument about something trivial, their voices rising in pitch with each passing second. I roll my eyes at their antics, knowing that their bickering will likely continue well into the night.

I toss my beat-up hockey duffel bag haphazardly by the entrance, the worn leather creaking under the weight of my gear.

Kicking off my sneakers, I feel the exhaustion seep into my bones, a dull ache settling in from tonight's epic hockey victory.

Dragging my feet across the dull, gray carpet, I plop down onto the worn-out couch, the springs creaking in protest under my weight.

I watch as they all dive into the pizza like a pack of rabid wolves. Ari practically lunges at her slice, her eyes gleaming with hunger.

Owen and Ant attack their slices with a ferocity that would put a lion to shame.

Athena and Ari share a conspiratorial giggle as they chat on the floor, lost in their own little world. Meanwhile, Rocky and Tim are in a race to see who can devour the most slices in record time.

They all turn to me with grins plastered on their faces. Ant thrusts a gift into my hands, causing me to let out an exaggerated groan. Birthdays have never been my thing, and they all know it.

"Happy Birthday!" They chorus, their voices filled with cheer. I shake my head in mock disapproval, but a small smile tugs at the corners of my lips despite myself.

"We know you don't want a big fuss, but we couldn't resist getting you something," Tim explains, his tone teasing.

Owen tosses me his poorly wrapped gift, and the others follow suit, showering me with their presents. I set them down on the floor, giving them a mock salute before flipping them off in jest. They erupt into laughter, their joy infectious.

I may not be thrilled about turning twenty-two, but having these idiots by my side makes it a little more bearable. As well as the large amount of money I received from my family.

Leia looks smoking hot as she casually drops down next to me, flaunting her customized red and white jersey that hangs just a little loose on her, paired with those sleek black leggings that hug her curves in all the right places.

The jersey proudly boasts my initials, KW, and my football number, twenty-four, and seeing it on her makes me feel like I've hit the jackpot.

Her thighs look like they were made to fit perfectly on the couch, and her bouncy curls frame her face in a way that's just too perfect for words.

She's completely engrossed in her fries, eating them with such focus that it's almost comical. I can't help but let out a small laugh, my eyes lingering on Leia as she turns to face me.

"Damn, you're killing it in that jersey," I murmur, my tone filled with a mix of admiration and desire as I playfully nudge her.

"I mean, I know, but thanks for noticing," she whispers back, a mischievous grin playing on her lips as she leans in closer, her hand casually resting on my knee.