Inked In Love

Thirty

"I knew I should've thought twice before accepting your food this morning. I feel like a pregnant woman," I moaned, practically sliding out of the car.

When Theo showed up unannounced at my house this morning, I hadn't anticipated the full-on culinary ambush that awaited me at his restaurant. Expecting pancakes or maybe an English breakfast, I was instead met with a table overflowing with food.

Was he trying to kill me?

"Don't be so dramatic. You barely ate," he said with a chuckle.

I shot him a glare. "I had more than you, don't even try to deny it," I snapped, slamming the car door as I stormed toward him. He pulled me into his side, wrapping an arm around me.

"Okay, okay, calm down, tiger," he teased, dropping a kiss on the top of my head.

We walked inside together. Theo headed off towards the football field to help the team prep for their big match, while I made my way to my office. Tina was already waiting there, grinning at me like a cat with a secret.

"What?" I asked suspiciously as I dropped my bag on the desk.

"Well," she started, dragging out the word, "are you going to tell me, or are you just going to pretend that absolutely nothing has changed in the last 24 hours?"

Her tone was playful, but her gaze was sharp, unyielding. Normally, I could out-stare Tina, but today, I was the one squirming under her scrutiny. Sinking into my chair, I sighed in defeat.

"There, there, Coach," she said with a laugh, setting a stack of folders on my desk. "I'm just teasing. I'm happy for you guys, it's about damn time."

I couldn't help but smile. Tina's good mood was contagious.

For over an hour, I hid in my office, mustering the courage to go out and face the team. When I finally emerged, the first person I spotted was Jenny by the pool.

"Jenny, do you have a minute?" I called, standing by the edge. She glanced up, excused herself, and climbed out of the water, grabbing a towel as she joined me on a nearby bench.

The other swimmers began drifting closer, their curiosity palpable.

"I'm guessing he asked you then?" Jenny said, her tone casual, though her words sent a jolt through me.

"I uh, asked what?" I stammered, grasping at a defensive front.

Jenny rolled her eyes. "Elle, please. You and my brother walked in together this morning, and he actually acknowledged me. Pretty obvious what that means."

Damn it. I knew I should've driven myself.

Bowing my head, I sighed. "Can we at least keep it quiet for a few days?"

Jenny's guilty smile gave her away before she even spoke. "Unfortunately, that's not going to work. Scott was with me, and he's already told everyone he knows."

"Coach, wait!" Jenny called, scrambling after me as I shot to my feet, scanning the room for the culprit. My eyes locked on Scott, who was leisurely swimming laps like he didn't have a care in the world.

Grabbing the nearby hose, I stomped toward the pool.

"Oh, fuckkkk!" Scott's shriek echoed through the room as the ice-cold spray hit him. He flailed like a cartoon character while the other swimmers scrambled away. When I was finally satisfied, I shut off the water and returned the hose.

"You'd think he'd have learned his lesson by now," Tina said, shaking her head as Scott splashed around, shivering.

"One would think," I muttered, crossing my arms.