It only increases when Ezra’s breathing grows ragged and thrusts grow erratic. I wince as his hand tightens around my waist. He looks up, eyes wild and glazed and steps back, wrapping his shirt around the tip of his cock. Again, he leans his forehead against mine, jaw in a tight grimace, and moans deeply. I watch the whole thing in fascination, including when he yanks off his T-shirt and stashes it in a garbage can. He pulls back on his hoodie, zipping it all the way up.
I made that happen.
I made Ezra Baxter, flustered and overcome.
“That,” he says, pulling me into a tight hug, “was epic.”
He holds me so close I can feel his heart beating in his chest. His arms are warm, safe, strong, and I find myself so lost in the moment, that when I hear the voices it takes me a minute to process how close they are.
We both jump at the same time, but Ezra doesn’t let go of me, just pulls me back to the back of the closet. We huddle on the floor. Neither of us can afford to get busted in here.
The door swings open, casting bright light from the hallway. Bodies stand on the other side of the bookshelf. I can vaguely make out their shapes through the gaps in the supplies.
“We should have a bit of privacy here,” a familiar voice says. Coach Chandler. The door shuts with a click. “Okay, Kayla, tell me, what’s going on?”
Kayla, who I can’t see, speaks in a trembling voice. “Things have gotten really rough at home. My mom left last year, and my dad struggles with his health. He’s on dialysis and requires a lot of attention. There’s a nurse that comes and stays with him during the day, but after school, I need to be there. I think I’m going to have to drop the dance team after homecoming.”
Ezra’s body tenses behind mine, hands wrapped around my upper arms. I suspect, like me, he’s barely taken a breath since they walked in.
“It sounds like you have a lot of obligations for a girl your age. I’m sure it’s hard to watch your friends go to movies, parties, and dates while you’re at home.”
“I don’t mind missing out on all those things. I’ve just worked really hard at dance. I’m one of the best on the team. It just sucks, you know?”
He chuckles. “I’ve seen you out there. You’re very good.”
“Thank you.”
There’s a beat, one where it’s so quiet I’m sure they’ll hear the thundering of my heart.
“I hate seeing my students in situations like this, but the good news is there are a lot of options out there for beautiful, talented girls like yourself. How would you feel about me looking into a few things and seeing if we can find the right resources for you?”
“Really?”
“Of course,” he replies. He shifts, and I can see his hand reach out to her, resting on her arm. My stomach churns uncomfortably. “Give me your number, and I’ll reach out to you when I have more information.”
They exchange phones, the sound of typing filling the space.
“Thank you, Coach Chandler. Everyone said you’d be the right one to talk to.”
“I’m not just here to lead these boys to victory on the football field, I’m also here to help the girls of Thistle Cove when they’re in need, too.”
My mind blanks after that, lost in thought, as they exit the closet and close the door behind them. Neither Ezra or I say a word for a long minute, making sure no one comes back in.
Finally, I say, “That was—”
“Fucking weird.” He helps me off the ground. “Was it just me or was that—”
“Wildly inappropriate,” I finish.
“He was hitting on her, right?” Ezra asks, trying to process what we’d just heard.
“Yeah. A sophomore.”
He wrinkles his nose.
I ask the question I’ve held onto for weeks. “You don’t think he and Rose…”
His eyebrows raise. “You mean because of the sugar daddy thing?”