“Shh, it’s okay.” I don’t know who I’m trying to comfort more, her or myself.
“No it’s not!” She squirms out of my embrace and darts around the room, grabbing the first random clothes within reach. “This is so far from okay. My dad just caught us in bed with you about to go down on me. Oh mygod, I don’t even want to think about it.”
An uncomfortable band pinches my heart when she gets overwhelmed like this. All I want is to make her feel better. I’m panicking too, except my instinct to help her overrides any of my own worries.
I stop her from flitting around the room to pace nervously, and trap her hands between mine to keep her from raking her fingers through her hair. “Hey. Let’s take a breath.”
She holds my gaze, taking measured inhales with me. Once she’s calmed down, I slip my arms around her and press my lips against her forehead.
“I’ll talk to him. You stay up here, okay?”
She nods, freeing her trapped arms to lock them around my waist. Her heart beats as hard and fast as mine.
“I didn’t want him to find out we’re together like this,” she says.
“I know. Neither did I.” My embrace tightens. “It’ll be okay.”
Eve buries her face against my chest, tucking her head beneath my chin with a tiny distressed noise that breaks my fucking heart. I drop a kiss to her hair and throw on clothes before I leave the guest room to find David.
Christ, what do I even say to him? It was easier with Benson once he got his head out of his ass. After his reaction, I anticipate the worst. An echo of David’s words from this summer haunt me.Not worthy.
I clench my jaw with a surge of determination. It doesn’t matter. If I lose my job for this, I’ll figure something out. I’m not leaving Heston Lake—or Eve. She matters more to me than anything else in my life. I’ll prove to him I’m worthy of loving her.
I find David in the kitchen, hands braced on the counter, faraway stare directed out the window to the yard where Benson, Eve, and I used to play.
Before he opens his mouth, I speak first.
“First of all, I’m sorry for being disrespectful under your roof.”
He grunts without turning around. I work my jaw, stepping further into the room.
“You’ve invited me into your home, your family, you’ve given me my dream job. It was wrong for me to deceive you by sneaking around.”
At last, he turns with a raised brow. “Are you dating Eve?”
“Yes.”
He nods once. “You were hiding it?”
It’s a struggle to read him. He sounds as stern as he does when he critiques the team for every little mistake they made inpractice or a game. Despite working alongside him for a year, I feel like I’m permanently fifteen in his eyes.
“Yes.”
“How long?”
I’m expecting anger. For him to raise his voice for touching his daughter. Not his steady demeanor and mild interrogation. My stomach roils with unease, waiting for him to snap if he doesn’t like my answers.
“About a year.” I squeeze my nape.
He studies me somberly for an eternity before his next question. “What made you feel you needed to hide it?”
“I’m sorry. I know I messed up and that she’s off-limits.” My shoulders roll back. “That said, I’m prepared to face any consequence. I love being a coach for Heston, but I’d rather get fired than walk away from her. I’m sorry I broke your rule. You can’t stop us, though. I won’t give her up for anything.”
His thick brows jump up. He hums into his coffee.
“There’s only one thing that’s important to me. Do you make her happy?”
I inhale sharply, stunned. “Yes. I care about her—love her,” I correct fiercely. “And, respectfully, sir… Eve’s the one who decides if I’m worthy of her.”
