Chapter 43: Coach Hendrix Comes In Clutch

I reached Coach Hendrix’s office crackling with rage. I stormed in, desperate to get away from the prying eyes and comments.

“I swear Coach Hendrix, if one more person says something to me about ‘bagging’ Ellery I’m going to punch them.”

He was sitting at his desk and looked amused by my anger.

“Well, Xander, you have to understand the pull a Faerie has on humanity. It’s going to be an issue for you both for the rest of your lives.”

I threw my backpack down in frustration. “They’re all being so crass though. It’s pissing me off.”

“It will all die down soon. Come on, you can handle it.”

I shook my head. “I hope no one has been saying anything to her, because it’s insane.”

“Mainly I’ve heard ‘what’s so special about him?’ from guys and ‘thank god she’s finally off limits’ from girls. But no one has said anything directly to me.” She walked into the room and put her bag down.

“Ellery.” I pulled her into a hug that progressed into a kiss that got deeper and deeper.

Coach Hendrix cleared his throat. “I am still in the room.”

We broke our kiss, but I didn’t let her go. Instead, I wrapped my arms around her waist. “Sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize. I remember it well, which is why Ellery is here. Just for today. Consider it an early wedding present.” He started to walk out of the office but stopped and turned back to us. “No sex you two.”

He pointed at me when he said that and Ellery bit her lip to keep from laughing. “I can tolerate and forgive a lot of things under the circumstances, but not that. I’ll be back ten minutes before the bell rings.”

“Thank you, Coach Hendrix,” Ellery said as she snuggled closer to me. Coach Hendrix came over and patted her on the arm.

“I trust you’ll both be fully functional at practice today?”

“Of course we will,” I answered for both of us. He chuckled and was almost out the door when I called out to him.

“Wait a second, Coach.”

“What is it, Xander?” he asked; visibly puzzled.

“Thank you, for everything.” I felt my cheeks heat up. I owed this man so much. If he hadn’t suggested I come here I wouldn’t have met Ellery when I did. That thought made me want to weep.

He smiled. “Well, I’ve always had a soft spot for you, and when I figured out that Ellery’s Alexander was you, I wanted to help. You just made it easier by throwing that punk out the window. In case no one told you this, we’re all proud of you doing that.”

I waved the last part of his comment away. It’s what any decent person would have done. Well, maybe not the whole defenestration portion, but intervening. Fortunately, the law saw it that way too, and I hadn't been charged with assault.

“How long have you known?” I asked; simultaneously amused and embarrassed.

Ellery hid her face in my shirt and he laughed. “I put it together when you were about ten, but I’ve known about ‘Alexander’ since you were five, right Ellery? That’s when you told me you were going to marry a fox named Alexander wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” came her muffled reply.

“Oh, I’ve got to hear this story,” I chuckled.

He elaborated for my benefit. “It was at Jones and Sabrina’s wedding and Ellery was eating a piece of cake. I told her my son was about her age and I thought they’d be good friends. Her face lit up and she asked ‘is his name Alexander?.’ When I said ‘no his name is Matthew’ she wrinkled her nose at me.

“Then she said ‘I’m waiting for Alexander. He’s a fox and I’m going to marry him.’ Then she looked at my wife who was pregnant and said ‘she’s having a girl.’ I’ve been smitten ever since. Ten minutes before the bell,” he reminded us and left, pulling the door shut behind him.

“That is the cutest story I have ever heard,” I said as I slid my hands down to cup her ass.

“It’s embarrassing. I blabbed about you to anyone who would listen.”

“Aw, that’s adorable.”

“Embarrassing.”

“Adorable,” I insisted. “Is that when you met Matt?”

She shook her head. “No, we didn’t meet until I was ten and had some more self control, of both my powers and my mouth.”

“Personally, I love the control you’ve got over your mouth and tongue.” I bent and kissed her.

She grinned at me when I released her lips. “I love demonstrating it for you, but we can’t in here. He’ll smell it.”

“Ugh, good point. What shall we do with ourselves then?” I asked as I rubbed her arms.

“Will you hold me the way you did on the bus?”

“Of course, Princess, but I’ve got to warn you, it turned me on something fierce.”

“You think I couldn’t feel your erection pressing into my rib cage and then my belly?”

“I thought you were too out of it,” I admitted, my cheeks turning pink.

“Nope, I felt every amazing inch.” I snorted at that comment and she continued. “If you want the truth, it helped with the problem.”

“And what problem would that have been?”

“Overwhelmed by the emotions of others and missing my Other to help anchor me.”

I kissed her forehead and sank into the small sofa in the office. “I’m sorry I didn’t figure it out sooner. Come snuggle up then, Ellery.” She crawled into my lap and rested her head on my chest. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes.

“Thank you, Alexander.”

“I’ve got you, Princess ,” I said as I stroked her hair. “I’ve got you.”