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.”