Page 74 of Trapped and Tackled

We’re in the foyer for about twenty seconds before Coach and Vicki round the corner. Coach’s expression is guarded while Vicki’s is hopeful.

I pull in a settling breath and hold out a hand to Coach.

He shakes it, his grip firm, his eyes searching mine. “How was the weekend?”

Leni sighs and tilts her head toward the living room. “We should talk.”

“About what?” Vicki asks, sounding worried.

“Well, for starters, Marlowe,” Leni admits.

That seems to relax her parents slightly. We follow her into the living room.

“Would you like something to drink, Talon? Or to eat? Are you guys hungry?” Vicki’s eyes dart between Leni and me.

“I’m fine,” Leni says.

“All good, Vicki. Thank you,” I reply.

“What happened with Marlowe?” Coach frowns.

Vicki pitches forward in her seat and I note the worry in her expression. The Strausses are such good people. It’s hard to imagine families like them exist. Could I ever have that one day? Will they ever fully accept me?

I hope so. I temper down the feelings that rise in my chest and turn my attention to Leni’s explanation as she fills her parents in.

She tells them about Toby and the boat.

About the rumors of Marlowe’s biological father.

At this, Coach swears, and Vicki clasps a hand over her mouth.

But then, Leni starts to paint the picture of Toby losing his cool, raising his fist to her and Keller.

Coach is on his feet when Leni says, “And then, Talon put him on the ground.”

Coach whirls around, pinning me with his gaze. “You good?”

I hold up my hands. “I’m fine. We…we left the lake house and checked into a hotel for the rest of the weekend.”

Coach frowns. Vicki’s eyes ping pong from Leni to me to Coach and back to me. Understanding dawns on her expression but Coach still looks confused.

“Why didn’t you come home?” Coach asks Leni.

She looks to me helplessly and I realize this is it. This is the moment.

“I have feelings for your daughter, Coach.” I man up, say the words, and lay it on the line.

Vicki sniffles and it’s a punch to the gut. Is she horrified?

But when I glance at her, she doesn’t look horrified. She looks like she’s trying to get a handle on…happy feelings.

Coach’s eyes narrow, his expression twisting harshly. “Excuse me?” he snaps. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”

“I have feelings for Leni, sir. Real feelings,” I repeat.

Coach gapes at me. “Leni, go to your room.” He points toward the hallway without ever looking her way.

“Friedrich,” Vicki murmurs.

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