“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?”

Keith thought of several scathing responses but decided to keep his mouth shut.

“On the bus trip we started hanging out. At first she was just helping me with my Spanish but then we were talking and I told her I liked her and she said she liked me and things went on from there.”

Keith felt old by comparison. What was that line from Men in Black? Old and busted. That was him.

“She’s my daughter,” he said with a sigh.

“I know you’re worried, Coach, but I’ll take good care of her. You have my word. I always use a condom and I’d never force her and I’ll always protect her. I’d die for her.”

Dramatic, but possibly heartfelt.

“Just don’t be a shit, okay? And don’t just think about yourself.” He muttered several swear words under his breath. “Don’t hurt her, okay?”

“I swear.”

Luka stood and held out his hand. Keith didn’t want to take it, but given the fact that the kid had come to him and basically laid it all out there, what choice did he have?

They shook. Keith sucked in a breath. “I still don’t like this. No sneaking around. You’ll respect curfew. And I never, ever want to walk in on you with my daughter. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Coach.”

“I know you’re going to keep doing it, but be careful and respectful.”

“Yes, Coach.”

“Now get out of here.”

Luka nodded before bolting for the door. Keith changed into shorts and a T-shirt, then did a few stretches before heading out into the already warm morning. Maybe running for a few miles would clear his head.

He started at a slow jog. Old injuries woke up and reminded him of their existence. That place in his left hip began to ache and his right ankle wasn’t happy, but he ignored them all and increased the pace.

Luka had impressed him, he admitted as he began his second mile. The kid had a pair, coming to see him like that.

He smiled as he thought about telling Ellen what had happened. She would want to know all the details, then they would talk about what it all meant and she would have advice for him. Good advice.

He missed her, he thought, wiping sweat from his face. Missed them. They were so good together and being apart from her wasn’t right.