Lincoln

I had spent the entire morning scrolling through advertisements for jobs in town. Half of them I had already applied to–twice–and I grunted as I shut the laptop with a little more force than necessary. No matter where I went, there ended up being someone more qualified than me. The last interview I had was for a nearby grocery store that would have rather hired teenagers than pay someone else a livable wage.

The hard truth was that no one was interested in hiring the college dropout with no real work experience.

Sensing my frustration, Cali had offered to take Sadie out for the afternoon. Now that the weather was warming up, all Sadie wanted to do was spend time outside. It gave me time to sulk in silence without having to put on a mask.

I placed Cali's laptop on the coffee table and ran both hands across my face. Someone in the state must be willing to hire me. I blew out a slow breath into my folded hands. All I needed was a fighting chance.

I was getting up from the couch when a hard knock started at the front door. Cali and Sadie had left less than ten minutes ago. It couldn't have been them. I stepped towards the door, ready to tell a couple of girl guides that I wasn't buying what they were selling, when another knock sounded.

"I'm coming," I barked before swinging open the door. However, it wasn't a couple of pre-teen girls on the other side.

"Coach," I started, blinking at the man I thought I probably wouldn't see again. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to visit," Whitmore grunted. His expression was similar to Oscar the Grouch. His thick, grey brows formed an angry downward arrow. "I came all this way. Are you not going to invite me in?"

The bottom of my jaw went slack as it bobbed along. "Uh... ye–yeah, sure. Come on in."

The elderly man seemed misplaced in the narrow foyer of my town home. His broad shoulders were emphasized by the black track jacket he was wearing. I was scrambling to think of something to say to him. Sorry I probably screwed you over for the rest of the season?

By the time he finished wiping his dress shoes on the carpet, I managed to form a cohesive thought. I led him into the adjacent room and then asked,"Can I get you anything?"

"Coffee. Black," he instructed as he surveyed the tight kitchen quarters.

I replied with a stiff nod. Cali's caffeine addiction meant that our ancient coffee machine was put to good use over the last few weeks. I'd seen her fumble around with it enough times to know how to make a half-decent americano–at least by her standards.

I pushed a button and the bulky machine whirred to life. Whitmore made himself comfortable at the kitchen table, his hands clasped and resting on the surface. We didn't exchange another word until I placed the mug of hot coffee down in front of him.

"How have things been?" I asked, relying on pleasantries to get me through the visit.

I could barely look my ex-coach in the eye without a spark of shame igniting in my chest.

"With the program?" Whitmore wrapped one hand around the steaming mug. "It's gone to shit since you were kicked out."

And there it was. A fresh wave of guilt washed over me. While I wasn't the one who exposed the operation happening below campus, I couldn't help but feel as though I had let Whitmore down for being involved in the first place.

"Sorry," I blurted out. Then I cleared my throat. "I wasn't–"

Whitmore held up an open palm. "I'm not here for your apology, Pierce."

I swallowed, bringing my gaze down.

"I'm here because I want to offer you a position."

I brought my attention back up. Whitmore's thin lips quirked up in the slightest curve. "How would you like to be the assistant coach for Fenton's boxing team?"

For as long as I'd known him, Whitmore harped on the idea of an assistant coach. He was like me in a lot of ways, insisting that he worked better alone. But I knew the demands of running the program solo was a lot for the guy. That was evident by the nights he would still be cooped up in his office well after everyone else left for the day.

"Assistant coach?" I said. "I don't think I'm qualified."

Whitmore levelled me with a stare. "You're more than qualified, son. I've never come across anyone with your mental fortitude for the sport. The passion you have. You can't teach that. You were born a fighter, Pierce. I want that on my team."

"Honestly Coach, I'd be honoured but," I paused. "I don't think the Dean's going to want me involved with anything to do with the university."

Whitmore waved off my concern. "It's been dealt with. Dean Peters is aware of my plans to bring you in. And unless he wants the program–along with its funding–to collapse before it's even started, he won't object to my appeal. Are you interested?"

The dining chair creaked from the weight of my back. I drew in a breath. "Absolutely."

A rare grin erupted onto Whitmore's face. He held his hand out. "Fenton's lucky to have you, son." It was like I was experiencing deja vu. He had said the exact same thing to me four years prior when I accepted the boxing scholarship. "Or should I start calling you coach?"

I couldn't hold it back. A genuine smile split my face from ear to ear as I reached over to shake his hand. "Thank you, sir."

Whitmore said, his hand firmly around mine. "You deserve it."

→

My new boss left not long after he finished his coffee. After he was gone, I found myself sitting back at the kitchen table going over what had happened. I didn't want to jinx it, but it finally felt like things were coming together for me.

From the kitchen window, I watched as Cali and Sadie skipped down the sidewalk, hand-in-hand. My heart warmed at the sight of the two of them. The front door clicked open. Sadie was happily chatting away as she ripped up the velcro from her shoes. She was rattling off the rest of the activities she had planned with my girlfriend for the afternoon. Cali laughed at her antics, politely agreeing to everything she said, but knowing very well she would probably be passed out in bed within the next thirty minutes.

"Can we watch it now?" Sadie asked.

"Sure," she said. "Go and grab Berry and we'll turn the living room into a movie theatre."

I could imagine Sadie's blue eyes growing wide. "With popcorn?"

"With popcorn."

Sadie cheered as she barrelled up the stairs. Cali came into view soon afterwards. She noticed me sitting at the table. A smile gracing her features.

"What are you doing in here?" She asked, taking notice of the empty coffee mug across from me. Her head tilted, but before she could ask me any more questions I got up from my chair and shortened the distance between us.

"Nothing," I responded, wrapping my arms around her. My arms rested on her shoulders as I placed a kiss on her temple. "Just thinking."

Cali lifted her chin. "About?"

"All the good you've brought into my life." I brought my lips down to hers, relishing in the softness.

When I pulled away, Cali's long lashes fluttered up at me. "Like I told you before, we're good together. You've brought a lot of good into my life too."

"Oh yeah, like what?"

The corner of her mouth twitched. "Without you I wouldn't have Sadie."

I gave her a deadpan stare. "Using me for my sister, huh?"

"She is really cute."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Yeah, but is she the new assistant coach of Fenton's boxing team?"

"Assistant coach?" Cali echoed.

I met her confused expression with a smile. "Whitmore just left. He came by to ask me if I was interested in the job."

"Oh my god," Cali breathed. "Lincoln, I'm so happy for you!"

With the little space between us Cali managed to launch herself at me and wrap her legs around my waist. She clung there for a moment before pulling her head back to meet my eyes. "We have to celebrate!"

She hopped down from my waist and started for the stairs. "Sadie, change of plans. We have a party to plan!"

In the distance I heard Sadie call back. "A party? Like a tea party?"

And right there, in the room across the hall, I saw my future. The one I wanted but never thought I would have. And it was all because of a stubborn woman who wouldn't take no for an answer.

* * * * *

author's note:

If you've made it this far, thank you. Its readers like you that give me the confidence to make my little dream of being a writer into reality. 

Just a reminder for those of you who might not have seen my other announcement; it might take me a minute to get the epilogue written and posted. I'll be taking a short trip to Nashville for a bachelorette party and I won't be back until sometime next week. I will have it up before I start posting Shutout (which you can add to your library right now *wink wink*).

In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I'll see you next time!