Page 28 of In the Defensive Zone with My Enemy

I can already tell Gabe enjoys being in this position about as much as I do. His jaw is clenched, and there’s a tightness around his eyes. Sophie seems to find her hands clasped in her lap very interesting. Guess she’s not thrilled to be here either.

Gabe fiddles with a pen on his desk. “There appears to besome miscommunication going on. That’s why I asked you both to come see me, so I could aid in facilitating this process.”

I know Gabe well enough to read between his diplomatic lines. However, I don’t know exactly what Sophie said.

He pins me with a gaze that means business. “Our team’s reputation is sitting on a cliff, Luke, and we need your help.”

I shift in my chair. “If you mean the interview, I did that.”

Sophie keeps her chin tucked as she speaks. “You walked out before we could finish.”

“I didn’t walk out. I got an important phone call.”

Gabe’s expression softens somewhat. “Kinsley?”

I nod.

“She okay?”

I turn away and stare at the training manuals filling the bookcase to my left. “She was having a rough day.”

“Kinsley’s your sister, right?” Sophie’s probing question brings my full attention back around to her.

“Yeah. She’s been through a lot. Too much. Let’s keep her out of this.” My words sound harsher at the end than I intended. “I’m not trying to be difficult. Just looking out for her.”

Sophie’s smile holds a tenderness that matches her eyes. “Understood.”

The tightness in my chest releases some at the genuine concern I see there. Perhaps I’ve gone about this all wrong. Instead of holding Sophie at arm’s length, maybe I can trust her…a little.

Gabe sets his pen aside. “Now that we’re on the same page, we can get this ball rolling so Ms. Adams can meet her deadlines. We’re taking the bus up a day early for our game in Jacksonville. That should give you two ample time to finish your interview.”

“I sleep on those long rides, Coach.”

“I was planning to drive up later in theday.”

Our words tumble over each other. Gabe splits his gaze between us as if he’s watching a tennis match.

He focuses on Sophie first. “Ms. Adams?—”

“Sophie, please.”

“Sophie…you said you’ve had a hard time getting Luke scheduled to finish his interview. This seems like the perfect solution to that.”

She fidgets in her chair again. “There was just something I needed to do tomorrow.” She sends me a sidelong glance. “But I’m sure I can figure out a way to rearrange my schedule.”

“Great.” He turns to me. “Luke, the ride is eight hours. I think you’ll have plenty of time to finish your interview and take a decent nap.”

Sophie leans forward in her seat. “I emailed Luke the rest of my questions, so it shouldn’t require more than half an hour…if he’s prepared.”

Sounds like a challenge to me. “I’ll be ready.”

Gabe studies us for a moment. “Good. That’s all I wanted to discuss. See you both in the morning.”

I stand at the same time Sophie does, but I reach the door before she does so I can open it for her. My mother taught me good manners, and I intend to exemplify the gentleman she raised me to be, no matter how uncomfortable the person makes me.

And Sophie Adams has a knack for making me itch on the inside.

“After you.” Her eyes connect with mine, escalating that itch in my chest to a swarm of bees.

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