A Coach And More

Rowan pov

“Let’s break up.”

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. He was always saying dramatic shit like that to mess with me whenever he comes earlier than me. “Yeah, okay, Dad,” I teased, dragging out the stupid nickname I had given him just to watch him roll his eyes. “Come on, let’s find somewhere to sit. I’ve got like twenty minutes before—”

I reached for his arm, but he didn’t move an inch. I stared at him surprisedly. Usually Matteo let me tug him around like an oversized puppy, pretending to complain the whole time. Today his feet might as well have been bolted to the floor.

I stopped. “Matt?”

He let out a heavy breath, only then did I notice how glassy his eyes were.

“Matt, what’s wrong?” I stepped closer, voice softer. “Hey. Talk to me. What’s wrong. You know we can figure out whatever this is.”

“I’m not joking, Rowan.” His voice was low and hoarse. He blinked hard, like he was fighting the tears back. “I can’t do this anymore.”

The smile I’d been forcing finally slipped off my face. I searched his expression, trying to find the guy who always had a smartass comeback or a quiet laugh just for me. He looked… exhausted.

“I’m tired,” he said, the words cracking open. “I’m so fucking tired of hiding. Of always being the last person you think about.” His hands clenched at his sides. “Every single time you swear you’ll come to me, your friends call and suddenly I’m invisible. Like I don’t even exist until it’s convenient for you.”

He grabbed my wrists firmly that I felt the tremor in his fingers and pulled my hands off him.

“Matt, don’t—come on, we’re adults. We can talk about this like—”

“Adults?” He gave a bitter, hollow laugh that made my chest ache. “Yeah. I’m the adult, right? You love reminding me of that. Every little comment about how much older I am, how I should know better. You think I don’t notice? It makes me feel…” He looked away, swallowing hard. “It makes me feel pathetic. And I’m done pretending it doesn’t.”

Silence stretched between us, as I searched for words to say to make Matteo feel less bad but I just couldn’t find any.

“I already put in my notice,” he said quietly, his eyes fixed everywhere but me. “They’ll bring in a new coach soon. I’m done with the team.” His throat worked again. “We should just… stop. Stop seeing each other.”

The words landed like a punch I didn’t see coming.

“Matt.” My voice came out smaller than I wanted. “Matteo—”

He was already turning away.

“Coach Matt… please.”

He kept walking and didn’t even glance back.

•

**PRESENTLY**

“So, as most of you already know, I’ll be stepping down after this season.” Coach Jefferson stood in front of the team, with his hands tucked into his pockets. “Management has already found my replacement.”

The locker room buzzed with whispers but I barely listened to any of them.

I reached for my water bottle instead. Two years in the international league had taught me one thing, coaches came and went and it was better to stay unattached to any. Tho it wasn’t my business.

“Everyone, I’d like you to welcome your new head coach… Coach Hudson.”

Hudson. My grip tightened around the bottle. The name tugged at something buried deep inside me. Two years had passed since Matteo walked out of my life but I still couldn’t forget his face, his names even. Hudson was just a surname and plenty of people had it.

Besides… The Hudson I knew would’ve forgotten me by now.

I turned to leave as Coach Jefferson continued introducing the new coach, not bothering to look at the man who had just walked in.

“Coach Matteo Hudson.”

My feet froze. My heart lurched violently against my ribs because there was no way he was the one.

Slowly, I turned around. The room faded into a blur as my eyes landed on the man standing beside Coach Jefferson. He had the same broad shoulders, the same sharp jawline and the same pair of dark green eyes I had spent two years trying and failing to forget.

Only… He looked more colder and matured. His gaze swept across the team with a smile before settling on me.

I smiled at him, expecting him to give me one too but it was as if we were complete strangers. I didn’t mind, because who knows if he saw the last match I and the team won before he decided he was coming back to me.

“Good morning, everyone,” he said calmly. “I’m Matteo Hudson. I’ll be your head coach from today onwards.”

His voice had even changed. Matteo voice used to sound like a song that could literally lull me asleep. But now it sounded more like something that could even make me afraid of falling asleep.

“I hope you all treat him as well as you’ve treated me,” Coach Jefferson continued before turning to me. “Captain, come over here and welcome Coach Hudson on behalf of the team.”

My body refused to move.

“Captain?” Jefferson called again.

I forced my legs forward. Every step felt heavier than the last until I finally stopped in front of Matteo. Sadly, he still didn’t acknowledge my presence.

“Welcome.” That was the only word my stupid mouth could manage to utter. I couldn’t even bring myself to look him in the eyes.

“Thank you,” he replied casually.

I wouldn’t lie… his voice sent chills down my spine and I couldn’t help but wonder if I was going to survive having him as my coach again.

But if you asked me… A part of me was glad Matteo was the new coach.