The Friendship List(98)

“You could be wrong about that. Even if she still has some things to work through, she could be in love with you, too.”

“I doubt that.”

He wanted to believe but he wasn’t a fool. That night with Unity had meant everything to him, but he wasn’t sure what it had meant to her. While she’d acted completely normal, he’d sensed there were emotions lurking under the surface.

He looked at Lela. “I want to marry her and have kids with her, but it’s like she’s under glass. I can see her, but I can’t touch her. Not emotionally. I don’t think she wants what I want.”

Tears filled Lela’s eyes. Her tenderhearted response warmed him. No matter what, he had good friends.

“What are you going to do?” she asked. “Tell her how you feel?”

“No. That would only make things more confusing for her. I don’t want her acting out of guilt. I’m going to wait and see how it plays out.” He hesitated, then admitted the truth. “It’s not going to end well.”

“You can’t know that.”

“I can and the hell of it is, I can’t walk away from her.” He managed a chuckle. “It’s not fun to be the girl in the relationship.”

“You’re not the girl. You’re a hunky guy and if she doesn’t fall madly in love with you, then she’s a fool and I’m sorry I ever thought I could like her.”

“Thanks. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Thaddeus. And thank you for trusting me with your secrets. I won’t tell anyone.”

“That only means you won’t tell the kids, but you’ll tell Freddy.”

She laughed. “Very possibly.” She pointed to the flower bed. “Let’s finish this row, then you can go back to the office and take care of very important business.”

  Keith’s bad mood had persisted for days. He was grumpy, he couldn’t sleep and he definitely wanted to take out his temper on someone, only he couldn’t figure out who.

Since Lissa had come clean about her concerns, they were getting along. He still had a couple of weeks until football practice started, and he was ready for that. His truck was running fine, the house was in good shape, so why did he wake up every morning, wanting to rip the head off a bear?

Although he suspected the answer, he refused to acknowledge it. Nor would he call her or text her—mostly because if he came within ten feet of Ellen there was a better than even chance he wouldn’t be able to refuse her and once he gave in, he wouldn’t be able to resist her ever again.

God, he missed her. He missed everything about her. Not just the sex, although he sure wanted that back in his life, but he missed being with her. The talking and laughing, the way she listened so intently and never judged. He missed her smile and having dinner with her. He wanted to sneak over and put gas in her car and maybe mow the lawn, although Coop took care of that.

He had it bad and he didn’t know how to unhave it. It was eight in the morning, he’d been up since four and he had no idea what to do with himself or about Ellen or anything.

Maybe he should add on to the house—just to have something to do. Or tell Lissa they were going away for a couple of weeks. Something, anything, to break the pattern of wanting and not having.

The doorbell rang. He turned toward the sound, his heart suddenly racing. Finally. Ellen had come to him again. No doubt she would try to explain why he was wrong, all the while raising her skirt and flashing her perfect ass at him. He would give her about thirty seconds of talking, then he would kiss her until they were both senseless.

He needed her in his life and in his bed and even if this was totally messed up, he couldn’t not have her anymore.

He pulled open the front door and deflated like a popped balloon. His temper returned and thankfully, he finally had somewhere to put it.

“You!” he growled.

Luka flinched. “Morning, Coach. I was hoping we could talk.”

“Let me get my shotgun first.”

Keith had to give the kid credit. Instead of turning and running, he squared his shoulders, as if prepared to accept his fate.

“Do you want me to wait here or inside?”

Keith opened the door wider. “Get in here.”

The teen stepped into the living room.

Keith motioned to the sofa. He didn’t have to worry about Lissa interrupting him—she slept until at least nine and once she was out, nothing woke her.

Luka perched on the edge of a cushion. Keith remained standing. A dickish move to be sure, but he wanted the edge.

“Talk,” he said sternly.

Luka swallowed. “I want to apologize for what happened on the bus trip.”

“You mean the fact that you were having sex with my daughter? Is that what we’re talking about?”

Luka went pale as he shook his head. “No, Coach. I won’t apologize for that, but I’m sorry about what happened with Ms. Fox and how you found out. I should have handled the situation better.”

“Or you could have not slept with my daughter.”

“I love her.”

The straightforward, honest declaration was an unexpected hit. Keith sank into a chair.

“You don’t know what love is.”

“I do and I love her. I have for a long time. Nearly two years. But Lissa is so beautiful and smart and perfect, I was afraid to say anything. What could she see in a guy like me, right?”