Chapter 27: Chapter Twenty-seven

TRISTAN

“Okay, guys. You’re free to go, but I want to see you all here at six sharp tomorrow. Now, go clean up,” I told my team. They scattered right away.

I let out a deep sigh and headed to my office, wiping the sweat from my brow. Being a football coach was a blast, but it could be tiring.

Still, I loved what I did. It felt good to be coaching my team at my old high school.

I slung my sports bag over my shoulder, ready to call it a day.

Just as I was about to lock up my office, I caught sight of a woman talking to the principal down the hall. Her back was to me.

Something about her seemed familiar, and I felt a sudden urge to see her face.

She was dressed in a wine-red dress that clung to her curves, and her chestnut hair cascaded down past her shoulders.

I strolled toward them, trying to seem nonchalant. The principal stopped me as I passed, probably to introduce me to this intriguing woman.

“You won’t believe who our football coach is, Riley,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

Her name hit me like a punch in the gut. I froze, rooted to the spot.

“Tristan? Are you okay, son?” The principal’s voice sounded distant, and I snapped back to reality.

I took a step forward, and she turned to face me at that exact moment.

“I think you two were in the same class.” The principal looked at us with a fond smile, and I finally looked at her.

She looked as shocked as I felt, and her eyes were shiny with unshed tears.

I swallowed hard, unable to tear my gaze away from her face, afraid she might vanish any second.

I hadn’t seen her in five years, and she looked so damn beautiful and refined.

She had blossomed into a stunning, sexy woman, but all I could think about was my girl in her cute hoodie and jeans.

~My Riley!~

~My babycakes!~

“Uhhh…good to see you, Mr. Harris.” Riley blinked back her tears and turned to the principal,

“Thanks for the paperwork, Mr. Young, but I should get going. It’s getting late,” she said hurriedly, then turned and left without waiting for a reply.

“That was odd. Are you done for the day, Tristan?” the principal asked me, but my eyes were locked on Riley as she walked away.

“Yeah, Mr. Young. See you tomorrow,” I answered before chasing after her.

I had no clue what to say to her. I was sure she’d kill me if she could, but I needed to talk to her.

“Riley!” I called, but she kept walking, ignoring me. I ran faster and grabbed her arm, pulling her close to me.

She gasped at the sudden contact and pushed me away at once.

“Stay the fuck away from me or I’ll slap you and cause a scene right here in the hallway,” she snapped.

I couldn’t help but smirk at her fiery spirit.

~She hasn’t changed a bit.~

“Wouldn’t be the first time, babycakes,” I murmured, looking at her with longing. She lifted her eyes to meet mine.

We stood there in silence, just staring at each other. She was the first to look away.

“God, you make me sick!” Her voice shook as she spoke, and she started to walk away again.

“I know you’re mad at me, and you have every right to be, Riley.” I kept pace with her as she walked.

“No shit!” She stopped and glared at me.

“I just... I didn’t expect to see you here after all this time, and wow... you look fucking incredible.” I swallowed hard, letting my eyes roam over her body.

Riley quickly crossed her arms over her chest, which only served to accentuate her cleavage.

~Fuck!~

“I wish I could say the same.” She gave me a forced smile, and I sighed softly.

“And I wish you didn’t hate me this much,” I said, my mind drifting back to the day I’d ended things with her.

~God! That was the worst day of my life, but I had to do it.~

“You deserve it, asshole!” she spat, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I closed my eyes, fighting back tears.

She would always be the one for me, and I realized that I still fucking loved her.

~I always will.~

“It’s been five years. Let’s leave the past behind. We can still be friends, right? I just want to catch up, Adams,” I said, not meaning a word of it.

I didn’t want to be her friend, damn it. I wanted her all to myself. I wanted to shower her with love and affection. I wanted to kiss her breathless.

I wanted to make love to her.

~God, even after all these years she’s driving me crazy.~

“Are you serious?” she asked, disbelief in her voice.

I nodded slowly, looking straight into her eyes.

“You can go fuck yourself, Tristan. I want nothing to do with you,” she shot back, then stormed off. I sighed heavily, running my fingers through my hair.

~Just as I expected.~

“Well, call me if you change your mind. I haven’t changed my number,” I called after her.

She responded by flipping me off, which made me chuckle.

I had no idea why Riley was back in town, or for how long, but seeing her today had stirred up so many memories I’d tried to bury over the years.

The last thing I’d wanted was to hurt her, but I’d had no fucking choice.

I had to do it so she could have a happy life, and that’s why she could never know the real reason why I ended things with her.

When I heard from Lucy that she was leaving town, I wanted to tell her the truth, to stop her from leaving, but it was for the best.

No matter how much I wanted her, I kept reminding myself why we had broken up in the first place.

But now, I was just being selfish. I wanted to steal a few moments with her before she left town, before she slipped back into her own world.

~Maybe I’m a masochist or a damn lunatic, but I couldn’t care less.~

~I’m not over her. Not even close.~

~No man in his right mind could ever move on from a girl like her.~