The Coaching System

Moving Back Home:

Jake Wilson sat in his car, staring at the house in front of him.

It wasn't the first time he had arrived at a new home after being hired as a coach. But this wasn't a new home. It was his home.

Or at least, it was supposed to be.

He let out a breath and held on to the steering wheel. He wasn't the Jake Wilson who had lived in that house, loved the woman inside it, or raised the boy who was waiting for him. But he had been given this life, whether he understood why or not.

And he had to become the Jake Wilson they were expecting if he was going to continue living this life.

With that idea, he took his luggage, stepped out of the car, and approached the door.

Before he could knock, it opened.

Emma Wilson stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching him. Her expression was unreadable.

"You're actually here," she said.

Jake nodded. "Yeah."

She stepped aside, allowing him in. As he walked past her, he perceived a slight aroma of lavender, which must have been familiar to the old Jake.

Inside, the house was warm, filled with signs of a life he didn't remember. Framed photos on the walls, a pair of football boots near the stairs, a child's backpack left on the couch.

And then he saw Ethan Wilson.

His 10-year-old kid stood in the living room, hands in his hoodie pockets, and stared at him.

Jake didn't move immediately. How was he supposed to act?

Before he could say anything, Ethan spoke first.

"You still drink too much coffee?"

Jake blinked. That… wasn't what he expected.

He glanced at Emma, who gave him a look that said, Well? Answer him.

Jake smirked slightly. "Yeah. Guess I do."

Ethan shrugged. "Mom says it's gonna make your heart explode."

Jake chuckled. "She's probably right."

Ethan nodded like that was a good enough response and went back to his game console.

Jake exhaled, relieved.

That was… progress.

Jake put his stuff in a guest room; he knew better than to expect to sleep in the same room as Emma right soon.

Sooner or later, dinner had been served and he was seated at a family table that was both familiar and new.

He was silent at first, concentrating on his meal, but Ethan looked at him now and then.

Finally, after a few moments of silence, Ethan spoke again.

"Do you still suck at playing FIFA?"

Unexpectedly, Jake looked up.

Emma, who had been sipping her water, choked and started laughing.

Jake smirked. "Probably. Haven't played in a while."

Ethan grinned. "I could beat you, easy."

Jake raised an eyebrow. "That confident, huh?"

"Yep." Ethan took another bite. "I practice."

Jake saw his opening. Now was the time.

"You like football that much?" he asked.

Ethan's eyes lit up slightly. "Yeah."

Jake leaned forward. "Think you could go pro?"

Ethan hesitated. Then he nodded. "If I work hard, yeah."

Jake smirked. "Good answer."

For the first time, Ethan looked genuinely happy talking to him.

It wasn't much, but it was one step ahead..

Later that night,

Jake and Emma were left alone in the living room after Ethan had gone to bed.

Emma carefully observed him while leaning back on the couch.

"You're… different," she finally said.

Jake tensed. "Different how?"

Emma sighed. "Before, all you cared about was football. Even when you were home, you weren't really here. It was like I was married to a ghost."

Jake didn't respond. He couldn't. She was talking about the old Jake. The one he wasn't.

Emma looked away, her voice quieter now. "When I told you I was pregnant again, you panicked. Said you weren't ready. That your career was too important."

Jake clenched his jaw.

"And then," she continued, "you just… left."

Silence stretched between them.

Jake finally spoke. "I'm still going to coach."

Emma's expression didn't change. "I figured."

"But I'm not walking away again," Jake added. "Not from you. Not from Ethan."

Emma exhaled slowly, staring at him as if she was trying to see if he was lying.

"I hope you mean that," she whispered.

She stood up. "I'm going to bed. The guest room is yours for now."

Jake nodded. "Fair enough."

She hesitated for a second before heading upstairs.

And for the first time in both his lives, Jake Wilson realized something.

Football was the easy part.