Everything's Better With You by R.L. Merrill

Author:R.L. Merrill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Celie Bay Publications, LLC

Joe stalked around his apartment the rest of the day until clinics. He left Leslie’s texts unanswered as he brooded.

Not only was he going to have to tell Leslie that he was hasty in inviting him to LA, but he also had some difficult decisions to make. Arthur’s call reminded him that taking this coaching job likely meant the end of his dancing career, a move he wasn’t ready to make, not really. His mind ran through any possible scenarios where he could do the show…

“Hey, Joe, where you going with that gun in your hand?”

Matty gave him finger guns as he approached, singing the off-color song off-key.

Joe smirked and waved. He wasn’t in the mood for shirtless Matty and his flirty finger guns.

“I take it it’s going to be loud in here?”

“Yep. Really loud.” Joe didn’t care if he came across as an asshole. He needed to set a boundary with this guy. “I’ll give you the practice schedule, but until we have the athletic center rebuilt, this is what we’ve got. I’m sure you understand.”

“Rah rah,” Matty said, pumping a fist. Joe started to protest but Matty held up his hands. “I’m just kidding. Cheer on, dude.”

Joe waved and entered the lounge, instantly feeling better the moment the bright sun hit his face through the large windows. The air conditioning worked really well, surprisingly, in Higdon, sometimes leaving him with goose bumps. He set down his things and lay on the floor on his back, just letting his body melt into the wood before running through some easy stretches. The sun felt great on his skin and the warm spot on the floor helped loosen his stiff and sore muscles and joints. It only slightly melted his foul mood.

“Hey, Coach.”

Joe turned his head to find an upside-down Leslie.

“Oh,” he said, scrambling to his feet. Too fast, apparently. “Head rush. Hang on.”

Leslie put a hand under Joe’s elbow and for a moment, Joe wished he could fall into Leslie’s arms and be swept away.

“You need to sit. Have you had water?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He couldn’t help smiling as he gazed into Leslie’s worried eyes. “I’m…hi.”

“Hey,” Leslie said, grinning. “I had a few minutes before practice. I wanted to—”

He let go of Joe’s arm just as the door swung open and the cheerleaders and hopefuls began trickling in.

“Clinics,” Joe said, putting his hands on his lower back. “Tryouts are tomorrow.”

“Right. I, um. I just wanted to touch base…”

Joe sucked in a breath as all the things he needed to say to Leslie flooded his brain.

“Absolutely. I’ll have to give you a call.”

“Hey, Coach,” Terrell said as he came in. He let his bag slip to the floor. “Your team walking okay after yesterday?”

“I’ll find out soon, I guess?” he said, then he frowned, likely in confusion as Joe was doing a terrible job of playing it cool.

“Right, well, let us know. We’ll try harder next time.” Joe grinned at him but it slipped the moment hurt passed Leslie’s face.

“Sure. Sorry to keep you.

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