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Allie

Dylan

Where are you? I’ve been waiting for you to come to the restaurant all afternoon!

Liv

Garrett told me what happened. You okay, hon?

Raven

What happened??? This is so not cool with me in LA. Is somebody hurt? 911!

Rachel

Your guess is as good as mine, Stormy Spice. I have no idea what’s going on. I’ve been doing water aerobics with Miss Gina.

Dylan

Some new kid’s dad yelled at Jack in front of everyone. He said Jack’s giving Austin preferential treatment because Allie’s giving him “favors.”

Raven

Whoa… he’s dead. I want his name, photo, address…

Liv

Take it easy, Stormy Spice. I’m sworn to uphold the law.

Dylan

I’m with Rave. You’ll have to sit this one out, Liv. He’s dead

Rachel

You should slip him one of your lethal peppers. I read somewhere a kid died from drinking caffeinated lemonade. Surely, a pepper can go up against lemonade.

Dylan

If George Powell dares to show his face in Cooters & Shooters, he’ll have more than a pepper to worry about.

Raven

Allie, where are you? Are you okay?

Hey, friends. I’m okay—I kind of have a headache.

Rachel

Sometimes cutting back on sugar causes headaches.

Dylan

Allie! Come let us hug on you.

I would, but I’m already in bed. It’s okay, really!

Liv

Slight change of subject, I said yes to coaching the drill team. Dylan, Allie, I expect you two to help me. Dylan, you promised!

Dylan

I’m there!!! It’s going to be so much fun!

I’ll be there

Dylan

We’ll have the team kick George Powell in the shins

I put my phone aside. I don’t feel like texting anymore.

My emotions have been all over the place since Levi’s dad went after Jack and Austin on the field in front of God and everyone.

At first I was in full-on mamma-bear protective rage that he would try to push his son onto the team and then bully Jack into giving him the QB-1 spot after one day of practice.

I was furious that he tried to imply Austin wasn’t good enough to lead the team, when everyone in sports media has been talking about the upcoming season and seeing him play.

Just as fast, I was embarrassed when he implied Jack was advancing my son because of “favors” I might be giving in exchange. I was ready to claw his eyes out. He basically called me a whore, and I wanted Jack to punch him in the face.

It seemed like Jack had the same reaction, but then he only picked up his daughter and walked away, leaving me standing there with Garrett and Zane.

A knot was in my throat when I glanced at the stands, wondering if everyone heard what George said, and even worse, if they were all thinking the same thing.

As if reading my mind, Garrett put his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Ignore that noise. If they can’t see how talented Austin is on the field, they need glasses.”

Blinking quickly, I smiled up at him, doing my best to play it off. Still, I was humiliated, and I wanted out of the public eye.

I rode back to the house with Austin and whipped up some dirty rice. My starving son wolfed it down, but I wasn’t hungry. I told Austin I had a headache, and he didn’t question it.

He’d been pretty distracted ever since the showdown on the field as well. So I gave him a hug and told him I was going to bed early.

After a quick shower, I curled up under the covers with my new favorite sexy romance. This one’s got a BDSM trope, and it’s hot as fire. Every time the hero says Good Girl , I shiver.

People don’t understand a librarian like me reading “trashy” romance novels, especially ones with domination in them. They say I’m messed up or I want to have bad relationships, and that’s how I ended up with Rip.

First, rude. Second, romance is not trash. It’s well-written and for many women it’s healing and empowering. My brand of feminism says women deserve to have whatever type of sex turns them on—in a safe, consensual environment, of course.

Reading dark romance lets us explore sexual fantasies in a way we can control. It says more about their sexual hangups than ours that they can’t understand it.

I must’ve fallen asleep, because when I lift my head off the pillow, it’s dark outside. The house is quiet, and I wonder if Austin remembered to set the alarm. He doesn’t understand why I’m using it, and I still haven’t told him about his dad.

I’d planned to do it after fall camp, but maybe it’s time—if only so he’ll be more careful.

Rubbing a hand over my eyes, I walk to the living room to check the panel on the wall by the front door. The system is unarmed, and a sliver of fear trickles through my chest. My eyes drift up the short hall in the direction of my son’s room.

It’s dark, but I’ll tell him in the morning.

Returning to the keypad, I’m about to enter the code when I glance out the window and nearly scream. A man stands in the shadows watching the house, and my heart flies to my throat.

My hands are shaking, and I’m about to run to my bedroom to call Garrett when the clouds move away from the moon.

The man’s features grow clearer, painted in the silvery light, and with a hiccuped inhale, I know him. Is it the moonlight? Is this a dream?

It’s Jack.

I’d recognize that gorgeous face anywhere.

My feet are bare, and I’m only wearing soft cotton shorts and a long-sleeved, cotton shirt. I don’t care. He draws me to him without saying a word.

I fling the door open and run out to where he stands .

His hands open as I get closer, and he takes a step toward me. “Allie?”

“What are you doing here?” I’m breathless, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

He’s so tall, I have to arch my neck to look up at him. His cap is gone, and his dark hair hangs messily over his forehead. He looks younger, more vulnerable because of it.

His bare arms are lined with muscles, and the T-shirt he’s wearing stretches attractively over his chest. He’s so handsome—even more in the twilight.

His dark brow lowers over his blue eyes, and he shakes his head, seeming as bewildered as I feel. “I started walking…”

I swallow my emotions. “What about Kimmie?”

“Austin’s with her. He fell asleep on my couch, but I was worried about you. I didn’t want you to be here alone.”

“Austin’s at your house?”

“He was upset about what happened and wanted to talk. Then when he fell asleep, I needed to see you.”

A shiver moves through me. Needed… “Why?”

We’re standing here in the moonlight facing each other, barely holding back.

He takes a step closer. “I’m sorry I couldn’t go to you on the field today. I was angry, and I had to take care of the boys. But I hated what he said about you.”

“It wasn’t your fault. You’re doing your job, being a great coach.” My tongue touches my bottom lip. “I only wish…”

I can’t say it.

He steps closer. “What?”

Soft wind moves around us, and I look up at his intense gaze. His beautiful blue eyes move over my face like it’s a puzzle he’s trying to solve. His arms are straight at his sides, but his hands flex, almost like he’s fighting to hold them back.

The breath is tight in my chest, and my fingers tremble. I’ve never been in this place with him before, so close, so alone, so free .

I lift my hand, wanting to touch him. He’s always distant, forbidden, yet here he is, right here …

Light as a whisper, my hand floats over his heart. The warmth of his skin heats my fingertips. “I wish I knew what you were thinking.”

His lips part, but he hesitates. The muscles in my body tense as I wait, needing to know what he’ll say.

He turns, taking a step to the side and looking down. “Every year, a new set of boys comes to me with dreams. Their parents come with dreams, and they all want me to make them come true.”

“It’s a lot of pressure.”

“It’s not that… I don’t mind helping them do their best to achieve their goals.”

My brows furrow, but I don’t interrupt. He seems to be struggling with what he wants to say.

“It’s different with you.” Lifting his chin, he holds my gaze, and energy squeezes my heart. “I’ve always been able to control what I want.”

He steps closer, and I swallow a whimper. I want so much for him to say the words, to break the tension.

“What do you want?” I whisper.

His hand moves as if he’ll touch me, but he stops himself. “I want you to be safe. I don’t want you to be afraid.”

I blink up at him slowly. “I’m never afraid with you.”

“Allie…” The ache in his low voice is warm liquid in my veins. “You don’t know what those words do to me.”

I can barely breathe. “Tell me.”

His straight white teeth close as if stopping himself, as if he said too much. “I know what it’s like to trust the wrong person, to wish someone could be different… could be what you need.”

Inhaling a shaky breath, I want to be what he needs.

“I always knew Rip was bad. I guess I thought he would make my life more exciting. I was so stupid. I should’ve known he would only hurt me. ”

He shakes his head. “You never know.” Stepping away, he rubs his hand over his forehead. “I just wanted to be sure you were safe.”

He’s shutting me out again, withdrawing, and I want to scream for him to stop, to come back to me.

I take a step closer. “Jack!”

“I can’t…” He pauses. I think he’ll leave, but instead he takes my hand roughly in his. “Come on.”

He walks ahead of me, leading me to the house. I watch his broad shoulders stretching that shirt, so strong and imposing. He’s moving fast, and I stumble behind him as we get closer to my door.

When we reach the still-open entrance to my house, he turns, pulling me in front of him. Need pulses through me on every rapid heartbeat.

“Go inside and set the alarm. I’ll take care of Austin tonight.”

“But Jack…” It’s a pleading sound, but he practically lifts me off my feet and puts me through the open door.

“Do what I say, Allie.” Reaching forward, he grabs the doorknob, pulling it shut with me inside. “Set the alarm.”

Our eyes hold through the glass. Mine are begging, but his are firm.

He waits as I slowly go to the panel and enter the numbers. It’s armed, and I look up at him through the locked door once more.

He’s not smiling, and instead of goodnight, he simply says, “Good.”

Lifting my hand, I press it against the cold barrier.

He only returns the way he came, walking fast until he disappears into the darkness.