"too many thoughts go unsaid"

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

I shoot my dad a text telling him not to worry about picking Charlotte up tonight and I step out of my car.

I walk through the now familiar doors of the gym and immediately spot the large glass window meant for watching the gymnastics lessons.

I take a seat, my eyes already trained on my little sister flailing her body around in every direction.

My vision wanders over to Laney who's currently helping a little boy hand onto the bar.

I watch as she handles the energetic 6 year olds with a surprising amount of grace and dignity.

I'd be running away from them by now if I had to do what she's doing.

I sit and observe the lesson, loving how happy Charlotte looks in the gym. I very rarely get to do this, to see her at practice. Usually it's dad picking her up because I'm always at hockey.

Charlotte's eyes go wide when she notices me and I think I can make out her yelling something about me being here to Laney.

The short brunette with 'Coach' written across her back, looks in my direction, clearly caught off guard by my presence.

Charlie asks something and immediately sprints over to me when she gets a head nod from Laney.

She flies through the door and jumps into my arms. "Hey kiddo, you look great out there."

"I know," her confidence makes me laugh, "I can't believe you're here! This is so exciting."

"So exciting," I repeat her words and tap her nose, "but you've got to get back in there and show me all your cool skills." I look over to Laney who watches us with a smile displaying across her face.

That's just enough motivation she needs to hop out of my arms and run back into the gym.

About a half an hour later, the kids line up by the door and walk over to their parents.

My sister, on the other hand, doesn't come to see me at all. Instead she engages herself in a seemingly very important discussion with Laney.

The rest of the parents and kids disappear home and I stay seated as I examine the two giggling girls in front of me.

They finish their conversation and walk over to me.

"Hi, Sterling"

Laney's use of my actual name surprises me.

"Coach," I smirk.

"What were you guys talking about?" my curiosity gets the best of me

Charlotte looks up at me beaming, "It's a secret."

"Oh come on, I want to know," I plead.

She just shakes her head and me and gives Laney a hug, whispering something in her ear. Then, she skips ahead of me and moves towards the exit.

"See you tonight, Laney" I add quickly before I join my sister and walk out of the building.

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

I play with my pencil while Laney goes on about the notes I'm supposed to be paying attention to.

"Laney,"

She hums in response to her name.

"What were you and Charlotte talking about?"

She doesn't even look up from her paper, she just shrugs her shoulder and tries to hide her growing smile.

"Just tell me what she said, it's killing me."

"Sounds like a good time. For me at least, probably not you."

"Haha," I retort in a monotone voice.

"She said I can only tell you if you promise we can all get ice cream together again."

"Ok, I promise."

"She said she likes me more than you," Laney delivers the secret I've been wondering about all day.

My mouth falls open, "That is such a lie."

"Whatever," she sings, lightly chuckling.

I get back to studying, forcing my mind to stop wondering off.

When I come to the conclusion I need something to fidget with, I reach over and take the clip from Laney's hair.

I like these things.

She looks over at me annoyed, "Um, I was using that."

I take the baseball cap off my head and put it on her head backwards, the same way it sat on my head, but it barely fits her and almost covers her eyes.

She tilts the hat back, letting her see me.

She trains her view on my hair now all messy from my recently departed hat.

"You have hat hair," she points out as she runs her fingers through my hair in attempts to fix it.

God, I would have hat hair 24/7 if she always did this.

I try not to bask too hard in her movements and I push my hat back down over her eyes.

"Your hair is really nice, you know."

"Is it?"

She nods her hair in agreement with her previous statement, "Very soft. A nice shade of brown too."

I feel the corner of my lips instinctually curve upward from her compliments.

"Ok, that's enough flattery for the next 3 years," she mutters, rolling her eyes at my knowing smile.

The two of us walk out of the library and brave the Canadian cold. I look down at the girl beside me who is currently shivering.

My eyes assess what she's wearing.

What an idiot.

I stop and turn in front of her, cutting off her next steps.

I zip her jacket up and pull her hood over her head that is still sporting my hat.

She smiles gratefully and we get into my car.

Before I put my seatbelt on I take my jacket off and wrap it around her.

"It's warm," she concludes.

"No shit."

She just softly laughs to herself and snuggles deeper into the fabric.

My mouth speaks before I even process what I'm about to say, "Hey, How come you called me Sterling?"

"What do you mean?" she questions.

"At the gym earlier, you said Sterling. I thought we were on a strict nickname basis."

"I don't know, it seemed more professional you know? It is my job after all and you're my athlete's guardian," Laney explains.

"Why? You miss it, darling?" She teases, clearly amused.

I don't answer, instead I just turn the car on and back out of the parking lot.

Like a routine, Laney falls asleep on the ride to her house.

I take her face into my hand and gently turn her head to look at me.

"We're home."

Her eyes flutter open and she unbuckles herself.

She steps out of the car, and hands me back my jacket and hat.

"I'll see you soon, darling."

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

You guys are literally incredible. The support on this book makes me so happy. This chapter took me like half the day to write, literally fell asleep in the middle of it.

Question of the chapter: Do you guys have any nicknames?

I never really had any which I think is why I love this trope lol...

Please don't be a silent reader and votes are always so so appreciated :)

Stay safe and healthy and feel free to reach out if you need anything at all <3