Page 29 of Keeping the Single Dad
I sucked in air, trying to hide my breathlessness. “Why are we doing laps, anyway? Didn’t you already have training this morning?”
She stretched her strong sculpted arms above head. “Claire gave me laps again. She is on my back all the time. I was late again this morning. The team has been under pressure since we moved up. There is talk of restructuring.” A shadow darkened her face. “I’ve always been in Claire’s bad books. Any excuse to get rid of me.”
It had been the same way with Logan. He’d always been in trouble with the management. Logan had been a sensitive soul. He’d always taken everything so personally.
“Any decision about the team is a business decision. If Claire is going to keep the team in the league, she has to make strategic choices.”
She muttered angrily under her breath. I couldn’t help the smile that pulled at my lips. Lana had inherited her father’s quick temper. He’d been at the height of his career in that first World Cup together, and he’d taken me under his wing. Logan had been a decent fella back then. What was he up to now? Enjoying his retirement, hopefully.
“How is Logan by the way? I should pop in and see him. We’re long overdue a catch up.”
She shot me an alarmed look, and I winced, realizing how weird that would be. What would we catch up about?
Hey, Logan, great to see you. I slept with your twenty-two-year old daughter.
“What was my dad like back then?”
I paused, choosing my words carefully. Logan had been off the rails. He’d always be the one to drink anyone else under the table. “He was a great captain. Everybody respected him.”
She nodded, woodenly. Sadness returned to her eyes. The ache in my side blazed brighter. I bent over with my hands on my thighs. “So, how are you going to get back in Claire’s good books?”
She rolled her eyes. “I shouldn’t have to try. My form has been great this season.”
“Being part of a team isn’t just about talent. It’s about attitude and behavior, too. What are you doing to show your commitment to the team?”
She wrinkled her nose. “You sound like Claire. What more can I do?”
“There’s plenty. The club has outreach programs. You can volunteer. I go into schools and talk to the kids and play with them. You could inspire young girls and show them what is possible. Talk is cheap. If you want Claire to know you’re committed to this team, then show her through your actions.”
Her gaze roved over me, curiously. Not everybody enjoyed getting advice. Maybe she wasn’t ready to hear it. I hadn’t meant it as criticism but she could easily misconstrue my intentions. Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything at all. It was just a habit to try to fix people’s problems. I was so used to coaching Brodie.
She flashed a tentative smile and rubbed the back of her neck. “You think I could do something like that?”
“Of course. I think you’d be great.”
Her smile widened. “Thanks.” She glanced at her watch. “I should get going. We have more training this afternoon, and I don’t want to be late. I’m on my best behavior. I have to be a good girl.” Slowly and seductively, her gaze slid over me. “It’s not easy being good. You know I prefer to be a bad girl.”
She stepped forward. Anybody could see us, but I couldn’t move away.
“Was that really the first time in five years? How was it getting back in the saddle?" Her uneven breathing fanned my neck as she stood on tiptoe to whisper, "You were great, you know. That was the hottest sex…”
A warming shiver ran through me. My skin tingled where her lips nearly grazed my throat. Heat flashed up my neck. My mind flooded with the way it had felt with her.The press of a warm body against mine again. Her passionate, drugging kisses.Her touch had brought me to life in a way I hadn’t been for so long.
?“You’re too good to waste that kind of talent.” There was a trace of laughter in her voice. “Don’t wait another five years, will you?”
I needed to shut this down. I held perfectly still, barely breathing.
She stepped back abruptly, and I took a sharp breath. She gave me a wave over her shoulder as she sauntered away.
“See you around, Big Mac.”?
Chapter 15
Lana
Clairewaswaitingforme in the changing room. Her icy gaze met mine, boldly intimidating. “Gabe’s office. Now.”
“What? Why?”
