Page 14 of Trapped and Tackled

Talon puts a stop to my spiraling thoughts by scooping up my towel and holding it open before wrapping it around my shoulders.

“Thanks,” I say as I pull off my swim cap, gripping it in the same hand as my goggles. My other hand tugs out my hair tie and my damp hair tumbles around my shoulders.

Talon makes a sound in the back of his throat, and I look up.

His eyes are darker than they were a second ago. The green has been eaten by slate and steel.

I blink and he looks away, gripping the back of his neck.

“You need a ride home, Leni?” he offers, his voice huskier.

I shake my head. “I have Dad’s truck.”

Talon clears his throat and tosses his towel over one shoulder. “Okay.”

He moves to turn around and suddenly, I don’t want him to go.

Today was a good day, the best day I’ve had in a while, and I don’t want to go home and be alone. I don’t want to think about the past or wonder when Craig will text again.

“I’m going to get some ice cream,” I sputter, feeling like a dolt the second the words are out of my mouth.

Talon pauses and glances at me over his shoulder. His gaze is intense, his eyebrows pulled together with a little line forming in the center. “I like ice cream.”

I work a swallow, shuffling from one foot to the next. “Do you want to…get an ice cream cone with me?”

My God. I cringe at how desperate I sound. Pathetic. Childish.

Talon turns to face me fully and my eyes drop to his chest. To his washboard abs. To his golden skin.

He steps toward me, and I watch as his feet near mine.

His finger curls beneath my chin and he gently lifts my face to his.

I forget to breathe as Talon studies me. Searches my eyes. Digs beneath my expression. Looks at me and sees more than I want to show. He drops his hand, and I wince, preparing myself for his rejection.

What the hell was I thinking? It was stupid.

“I—” I begin to backtrack.

Talon’s expression softens and his eyes spark with flecks of moss green. “Yeah, I’d love to take you for an ice cream cone, Sunny Leni.”

He would? The pressure in my stomach eases as I let out an exhale brimming with relief. A smile slowly spreads across my mouth as my new nickname registers.

Sunny Leni. He said it again and even though I don’t understand why he chose that nickname, I like that he gifted it to me.

I like that he equates me with sunshine. I haven’t felt like that woman in years but being around Talon, even these brief encounters, reminds me that a long time ago, I was positive and hopeful. Sunny.

Talon shakes his head before reaching for my hand. He tugs me toward the locker rooms.

“Come on,” he says, pushing the women’s door open for me and holding it while I slip through. “I’ll wait for you out front.”

“Okay,” I agree. The swinging door closes behind me.

Then, I rush to my locker, relieved I brought shampoo and conditioner. I shower quickly, pull on the summer dress and sandals I packed, and finger comb my hair before blasting it with a blow-dryer so it’s not soaking wet. I braid it quickly, swipe lip gloss across my lips, and study my reflection.

It’s hardly a date since I’m not ready to date. Besides, I could never be with one of Dad’s football players. But it’s the cherry on top of today and right now, I’m holding on to this feeling of lightness with both hands.

Chapter 4

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