Page 18 of Trapped and Tackled

“Maybe I should move out,” I interject.

Dad swears. Mom sighs. And I stew.

But I can’t believe my dad asked one of his players to crash Marlowe’s birthday weekend and be my fucking babysitter. How embarrassing is that?

Plus… “Don’t you think you’re crossing other lines?” I ask Dad.

He lifts an eyebrow, waiting for me to finish that thought.

“One of your players? A weekend away with your daughter?” I point to my chest. “What happened to no dating athletes?”

“Talon would never—” Dad starts.

“It’s Talon Miller?” I shriek. Somehow, this is infinitely worse.

If it was Avery or Cohen, it would truly be like a brother looking out for his sister. Maybe Cohen would even have Raia come along and then it would just be…fun. Awkward, but fun.

Same with Leo Quincy. He would probably orchestrate birthday activities and time us in flip cup or something.

But…Talon Miller? Sexy, distracting, charismatic Talon Miller who seems to see more than what I’m projecting? Who took me for ice cream and made me laugh? Who makes me feel things I have no right feeling?

That’s who my dad picked to babysit me?

“What is wrong with you?” I press.

Dad swears again, more colorfully this time. Then, he tosses his hands in the air and leaves the living room. A second later, the back door closes and I lean against the sofa, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at Mom.

She takes a sip of her tea. “He’s worried about you; we both are.”

“I’m fine,” I say defiantly.

Mom tilts her head, giving me a look. She knows I’m lying but won’t call me on it because she’s letting me have my pride. For this moment anyway.

I sigh and run my fingers over my eyebrows. “I’m fine,” I say again, softer this time.

“I know you are. At least, you will be,” Mom concedes. “Put our minds at ease and bring Talon to the party. No one will care. I bet Marlowe will be thrilled.”

She will be; Mom knows her too well.

“Plus, did you ever think Talon wants to come?” Mom continues.

I give her a look.

“It’s an extra day off for him to have some fun and relax. Swim in a lake and drink a beer. He’s been putting in a lot of extra sessions. Maybe it will be good for him to have a break too.”

I roll my eyes, not wanting to see her point. Besides, the whole arrangement is entirely unconventional. Not to mention unethical. The coach is giving a player an extra day off during preseason so he can chaperone his daughter’s weekend plans?

Before I can toss back a retort, my phone buzzes with an incoming message and my stomach dips.

I pray that it’s not Craig. I haven’t heard from him in a few days and the distance is starting to feel normal. Healthy.

Unknown Number: Hey Sunny Leni, it’s Talon. You free for dinner?

My heart rate ticks up before I bite my bottom lip, embarrassment flooding through me as I realize my father put him up to this.

The man who never wanted me to date a player is now setting me up for a weekend with his star kicker. Not to date me of course, but to keep an eye on me.

The whole arrangement is messed up.

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