“Yes, Coach.”

“That’ll be all then.”

I gladly escaped the office and hurried down the hall. No one was visible in the hallway. If I were lucky, I’d make it down to the parking garage without another confrontation with Jock or judgmental glares from teammates.

I was ten steps from freedom when a door swung open. Jock and his hot sister strode out the door together, deep in conversation. Before I had a chance to alter my course, Geneva barreled into me.

Instinctually, I reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders to steady her. For one second, time stood still.

No shit. It stood still.

I’d never experienced such a phenomenon before when staring into a woman’s eyes, but there was a first time for everything, and I was stunned, caught off guard by her presence.

I saw her, deep inside her, as if I knew who she was and what she wanted, and I knew she saw the same thing in me. I couldn’t drag my eyes from her, couldn’t break the contact between us, didn’t want to lose that thin thread binding me to her like a fragile lifeline leading me to something so profound the results would be unimaginable.

Geneva looked away first and pushed my hands off her shoulders, forcing me from my stupor.

“Sorry,” I mumbled. I glanced at Jock, who was shooting daggers at me and wishing the intensity of his glare did real bodily harm.

“It was our fault. We weren’t watching where we were going.”

She was right, but I had the good sense not to agree with her. Jock said nothing.

“So, Jock tells me you’ll be our dinner guest for the next few weeks.”

Or months, I thought gloomily. “Yeah, I hope it’s not too much of an inconvenience.”

“Not for me. I don’t cook,” his sister said. “But Eunice is going to throw a fit.”

I didn’t bother asking who Eunice was. Keeping track of Jock and his brood wouldn’t be an easy feat. And thinking straight with Geneva nearby would be even harder.

Jock shrugged and opened the door. Together the three of us walked to the parking garage.

“See you tonight.” Geneva winked evilly at me. She was enjoying my discomfort along with her brother’s. From her point of view, we probably both deserved what the coach had dished out, especially me.

“Tonight?” I choked out the words.

“Yes, tonight.” Her smile was full of innocence, but she knew what she was doing.

I looked to Jock, but he ignored both of us.

“Yeah, tonight,” I responded.

I would do this. I had to do this. My career was hanging in the balance, and now I was being forced to be in both Jock and Geneva’s company. Despite his animosity toward me, Jock would be much easier to deal with than his sister. I’d noticed her more than I’d wanted to in the week I’d been on the team. I’d been hyperaware of her and tried to ignore my growing interest in her. If Jock hated me now, imagine if I fell for his sister.