Page 76 of Trapped and Tackled

I peer down at her, frowning. “You didn’t think I’d throw in the towel because your dad isn’t thrilled for us, did you?”

“No.” She presses a kiss to my chest, snuggling closer. “But he’s going to go fucking brutal on you tomorrow. You’ll be way too tired to go out to dinner.” Her eyes meet mine, a playful spark of amusement in their depths. “I can come over and cook for you instead?”

I snort out a laugh even though her words ring true. Coach is going to put me through the grinder tomorrow. But knowing I can come home to a home-cooked meal and Leni? That alone makes it all worth it.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night then.”

“What would you like for dinner?”

“Surprise me.”

She presses up on her tippy toes to brush a kiss over my lips. “I will.”

“I’ll leave a spare key for you at the front security desk. Come by whenever.”

She nods. “Don’t worry about Dad, Talon. This isn’t easy for him, but his reaction has more to do with me and my dating a football player, then it does with you being upfront and honest. You’re a good man and deep down, he knows I’d never do better than you.”

I snort. “I’m not sure about that, Sunny Leni. Get a good night’s sleep.”

“I will. But only because I expect you to keep me up tomorrow night.”

I laugh, shaking my head as I walk to my SUV. There’s the confident, quirky woman from Coach’s stories. I’m getting glimpses of sunshine again and even though my career, hell, my identity is on the line, it doesn’t feel as terrifying as I thought.

Instead of overthinking how this decision will affect the team, I spend the night wondering what Leni is going to surprise me with for dinner tomorrow night.

Chapter 19

Leni

“It’s about time,” my sister answers the phone the following day.

I twirl a strand of hair around my finger and tug. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, Leni. Be real with me.” Lincoln sounds hurt and that makes me feel worse.

But also, I know we’ll be fine because we’re sisters. We’re ride or die for life.

“I miss you,” I admit.

“I fucking miss you, too, you little shit.” She goes off on me. But then, she snorts. “But I’m happy you called. What’s been going on?” She gentles her tone.

“I had to leave Craig,” I say slowly.

“No shit,” she remarks. “How bad was it?”

“Bad.”

Silence ticks by for a beat and I know Lincoln is wondering how hard to push me for information. “Are you ready to talk about it?”

“I’m getting there,” I admit.

“Does Marlowe know?” my sister asks. My closeness with Marlowe never bothered Lincoln. She’s always known our sister bond is strong, despite our close friendships or our ability to confide in others first. She always said as long as I had someone to talk to, she wouldn’t press me too hard.

I clear my throat. “And Talon.”

“Talon?” my sister asks. Then, she sucks in a breath, and I know it clicked. “The football player?”

I smile. “Yes.”

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