The Assistant Coach (BOOK 1: OMEN KING SERIES)

|𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛|

Kohl Warren

I haven't really had a chance to talk to Leia much today, just some casual 'hey's' here and there, but it's driving me crazy.

I can't stop thinking about why she didn't tell them how terrible that cup was. I wanted to be by her side when Reese hilariously shot gramps with a nerf gun bullet. I wanted to be close enough to catch a whiff of her scent and tell her how beautiful she looked.

I hastily throw on my long gray winter coat and head downstairs, eager to get outside.

Without anyone noticing, I slip through the doors and feel the cold air hit me. The snow is falling gently, but I pay no mind as I walk down the street, my thoughts consumed by Leia. Only her.

And damn it, I completely forgot to give her the gift I have tucked away in my jean pockets.

I had planned to give it to her on her birthday, but something held me back. Maybe it was the fear of having my heart broken. And then today, I couldn't give it to her, because she's going to break my heart.

"Hey, slow down, you walk so fast," Leia's voice calls out from behind me, causing me to quickly turn around. She's running towards me, looking stunning in a black beanie as her black long curls fall to her waist, blue jeans, and gray boots paired with a cozy plaid hoodie. She takes my breath away.

"We need to talk," she says, taking deep breaths, and my jaw clenches.

Whenever a girl says, "we need to talk," it spells trouble. I might not have experienced it with Leia before, but every guy knows what that phrase means.

I clench my fists in my coat pockets as we walk together, away from the house, the snowy landscape surrounding us. The silence is palpable until we reach the town's grand Christmas tree, adorned with decorations and blanketed in white snow.

Leia gasps in awe, and despite the impending conversation that could break my heart, her reaction brings a smile to my face.

"You look absolutely stunning, angel," I say, unable to contain my admiration as she thanks me with a smile that makes me crack.

"Warren, I can't express how much I appreciated you bringing me to Kansas to spend time with your family," she says, her big emerald eyes locking onto mine, causing me to bite the inside of my cheek.

I can't bear the thought of losing her. It's simply not an option.

"Do you remember the promise you made me after you told me everything that happened with Adam?" I ask, my heart pounding as she raises her eyebrows.

And damn, she shouldn't look so irresistible right now, but she does. My whole body feels numb, not from the cold, but from being in her presence.

"You said you would never break my heart," I remind her, watching as she looks down at her shoes, making me feel vulnerable and helpless.

"I know what I said, Warren," she replies, causing me to bite even harder on the inside of my cheek, the ache in my chest growing stronger.

"I felt guilty today," she sighs, looking up at me again. "I didn't bring anyone any gifts," she confesses, leaving me puzzled.

Where is she going with this?

Why is she telling me this if she's going to tear my heart out and toss it aside?

"Your mom told me something that made me realize my true feelings for you," she says, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she laughs.

She takes a step closer to the towering Christmas tree, her mittened hand reaching out to trace the delicate ornaments.

"I don't feel guilty about not getting them gifts because I can make up for it next year," she declares, turning around to face me. My eyes widen and my heart swells with a warm, gooey feeling.

"Wait, you're not breaking up with me?" I blurt out, the fear of losing her creeping into my voice.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "No, of course not, you idiot" she reassures me, a smile playing on her lips.

Relief washes over me, and I can't help but feel incredibly happy.

"I love you, Kohl Warren," she says, her words causing my eyes to widen in disbelief.

She tilts her head, a gesture that never fails to make my heart skip a beat.

I can't resist any longer. I close the distance between us and press my lips against hers, the cold winter air forgotten in the warmth of the moment.

When I finally pull back, eager to give her the gift I had planned, I see a hint of disappointment in her eyes, and I can't help but laugh.

"We'll have plenty of time for that later. Right now, I want to give you something," I tell her, a grin spreading across my face. Her eyes light up with excitement, and I can't help but chuckle.

I hand her the small velvet box, and she looks at me with curiosity. "What is it?" she asks, her eagerness evident.

I plant a kiss on her forehead before replying, "The whole point of a gift is to open it and find out."

She opens the box to reveal a gold heart necklace with an emerald gem in the center, her eyes widening in awe.

As she turns the locket around, she sees the words "Coach and Athlete" engraved inside, she bursts into laughter.

"I love you, Kohl Warren," she declares, peppering my face with kisses, making me chuckle.

"I love you too, Leia Welsh," I reply, before our moment is interrupted by a sudden flurry of snowballs hitting us.

Turning around, I see my family cheering and pelting us with snowballs. I instinctively move behind Leia, using her as a shield, which earns me a playful slap from her.

"No way, you're not hiding behind me after declaring your love," she teases, laughter bubbling between us and our family.

"I say you kick him," someone calls out, and Leia sticks her tongue out at me in mock defiance.

"Why would you tell her that?" I say as my eyes lock onto Reese who's jumping in the snow while laughing.

"Life's not fair, kid," she calls out as Leia nods her head in agreement before turning to me

"One day, I'm going to marry you Leia Welsh,'' I say as she smiles at me before our lips collide, electricity shooting through my entire body, happiness oozing from every single part of my being, and love being returned from the only woman I could ever love.

I feel like the luckiest man in the world. With Leia by my side, I know that one day, I'll make good on my promise to marry her.

(How do we feel about this chapter?) ->

....