บททั้งหมดของ The Coach's Forbidden Play: บทที่ 81 - บทที่ 90

Sage's POV The scent of garlic and oregano from the pasta Michael had ordered did little to soothe my frazzled nerves. We sat in a quiet corner of the restaurant, the low hum of conversation and clinking silverware was a contrast to the chaotic whirlwind in my mind. Michael had been a comforting presence, ordering for me and letting me pick at my food in silence, occasionally offering a gentle, reassuring word. But the words Anastasia had spat at me in the restroom echoed relentlessly, particularly the one about Andrew.Back at home, the moment the door clicked shut behind me, the pretense of calm shattered. I fumbled for my phone, my fingers trembling as I scrolled to Andrew’s contact. It was late but I couldn't wait. My thumb hovered over his name, a knot of dread tightening in my stomach. What if it was true? What if Anastasia wasn't just spewing venom but actually revealing a painful truth?I pressed call, my heart thumping against my ribs. It rang once, twice, three times… then

Sage's POV My eyes burned but I refused to let the tears fall. Not here. Not in front of them. I forced a weak, wavering smile, a pathetic attempt at composure. "Hello," I managed to croak out, my voice a barely audible whisper. The word tasted like ash in my mouth.Andrew, seemingly sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, stepped forward, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern. "Sage, are you alright?" he asked, his voice gentle, laced with a concern that only twisted the knife deeper. "You look... pale."The woman, sensing the tension, looked from Andrew to me, a faint crease appearing between her perfectly sculpted brows. "Is everything alright, Andrew, darling?" she asked, her voice still smooth but now with a hint of polite inquiry.Andrew quickly turned to her, a reassuring smile on his face. "Everything's fine, dear. Just a friend who's a little under the weather." He turned back to me, his gaze softening but I could see the unspoken message in his eyes: don't m

Sage's POV The first thing I registered was the gentle warmth of sunlight filtering through the curtains, a stark contrast to the burning heat that had consumed us hours before. My eyes fluttered open, heavy with sleep, and I became acutely aware of the weight of an arm draped possessively around my waist. Andrew.A soft sigh escaped my lips as the memories of the night before flooded my mind, a chaotic rush of passion, desperation, and an almost overwhelming sense of relief. We had fallen asleep tangled together, limbs intertwined, a testament to the raw intensity of our reunion. Every inch of my body ached, a sweet, satisfying soreness that spoke of hours of uninhibited desire.I tried to shift, to stretch, but a groan escaped my lips as a sharp protest echoed through my muscles. My legs felt like jelly, my back a symphony of minor complaints. I was utterly, gloriously spent.Andrew stirred beside me, his arm tightening instinctively. A low murmur rumbled in his chest, a sound of c

Sage's POV I masked my internal scoff with a dismissive wave of my hand. "Oh, no, it's nothing," I said, forcing a casual tone. "I just thought I saw someone who looked like her. You know how it is in New York, so many people." Pauline, thankfully, bought the flimsy excuse, her attention already drifting back to lighter topics.We spent the rest of the day in a comfortable cocoon of shared stories and laughter, rediscovering the easy camaraderie we’d always had. It felt good to be home, to be with my best friend even with the unspoken weight of my secrets lingering beneath the surface. For a few precious hours, I allowed myself to simply exist in the warmth of our renewed connection, pushing away the anxieties that clawed at the edges of my peace.The next morning, a dull ache still lingered in my muscles from the night with Andrew with a constant reminder of the intensity we'd shared. But a different kind of ache, one of guilt and concern, propelled me out of bed. I had promised Kay

Sage's POV The quiet certainty of Kay's words echoed in my mind long after I left his apartment. Your friendship with Pauline... it will be affected. The truth of it, delivered with such calm, non-judgmental clarity, was a heavy weight. I spent the rest of the night wrestling with the impossible choice, the two pillars of my life – my best friend and the man I loved – seemingly poised to collapse if I chose one over the other. Sleep offered no escape, only a restless tossing and turning filled with fragmented images of Pauline's shocked face and Andrew's loving gaze.When I finally opened my eyes the next morning, the sunlight streaming through my window felt like a harsh spotlight. My body, still aching from the night with Andrew, felt even heavier with emotional exhaustion. The thought of facing the world, of pretending everything was fine, was overwhelming. My usual morning energy was completely absent, replaced by a profound weariness that settled deep in my bones.I rolled over