Page 22 of Trapped and Tackled

She rears back slightly. “Really? This isn’t some pity dinner offer?”

“No,” I say, meaning it. “This is me really trying to get to know you so we can have fun at the lake instead of shit being awkward between us. You know what my lifestyle is like, Len. I don’t get a lot of time off. If I get a free weekend at a lake house during the summer, I don’t want to waste that shit. I want to enjoy it.”

She rolls her lips together, weighing my words. “You want to go?”

“Sure. Why not?”

“And you’re not mad my dad put you up to this?” She gestures toward herself like she’s some pain in the ass nuisance. And a part of me hates that she thinks that about herself.

“Look,” I say, hanging a right and pulling into the parking lot of Alberto’s. “Your dad’s done a lot for me. Professionally and personally. I’d say yeah, no questions asked, to almost anything he asks of me. But hanging with you for a weekend, swimming in a lake, drinking a beer? It’s hardly a hardship, Leni.” I park my SUV, flip the ignition, and turn to look at her. “Now, can we please cut this weird awkward shit and eat some tacos? I’d prefer to go into the weekend as friends.”

“Friends,” she repeats, as if testing out the word. I can’t tell if she’s relieved or disappointed by the label, but it’s the best I can do. I mean, yeah, she’s gorgeous and sweet and if I met her somewhere other than Knoxville, I’d probably try to get in her pants.

But she’s Coach’s kid. I’m about to start the season. And I know better than to shit where I eat.

So… “Friends,” I confirm.

She grins and it’s the first real smile she’s given me all night. “I’d like that.”

“Good. Now come on. Today was brutal and I’m fucking starving.” I push open the driver’s side door.

Leni meets me at the back of my SUV and we walk into Alberto’s together. It’s hopping, with nearly full tables and pockets of loud conversations. The walls are bright, with colorful calavera paintings decorating the space.

An empty high-top table sits off to the side and I hope Leni and I can snag it before a group from the bar relocates.

“Oh my God!” a woman shrieks, waving at us. “Leni! I didn’t know you were coming here for dinner!” Her eyes dart to me and her mouth drops open. “Holy shit! Is that Talon Miller?”

Beside me, Leni straightens, her body on alert. All that stress that seeped from her on the ride over gathers once more, causing her shoulder blades to nearly touch.

I place a hand on her lower back in an attempt to soothe her. She flinches and I drop my hand immediately. Her eyes snap to mine, horror filling them.

“Sorry,” we say in unison.

I shake my head. “I’m sorry,” I bite out the words, completely out of my element. I obviously made her uncomfortable. What the hell do I do now?

“Join us!” The woman rushes forward. She throws her arms around Leni, hugging her hard, before facing me. “Hi! I’m Marlowe.”

“The birthday girl,” I say, putting two and two together.

Marlowe beams. “Yes!” she squeals, her eyes widening as she bounces up onto her toes. “Do you want to come to my party?”

Finding my footing, I manage an easy smirk. “Can’t wait. Leni invited me.”

“Leni!” Marlowe shrieks again. God, she’s loud. Or, I narrow my eyes, a little drunk. “You didn’t tell me.”

“I hope that’s okay,” Leni says.

Her friend frowns. “Of course, it’s okay.” She laughs. “Are you crazy?” She glances at me again. “I’d love for you to join, Talon.”

“Thanks,” I say, my attention snagging on the guy stepping up behind Marlowe. He looks the opposite of happy at this news.

“Babe,” Marlowe gushes, grabbing his forearm. “Leni is bringing Talon to the lake house. Isn’t that great?”

“Hey, Toby.” Leni lifts a hand in a halfhearted wave.

“You dating football players now, Len?” Toby asks, ignoring me. His eyes narrow on Leni as if she owes him an explanation.

What the hell is that about?

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