Fearless Like Us (Like Us 9)

This douchecanoe really isn’t taking any of my hints. I might as well attach stink bombs to them and fling them at his face. “As long as we discuss swimming, I’m game for apps.”

He gives me a short nod. “Of course.”

I sit stiffly, hands on my binder. I can get through this situation without help or running away. I need to prove this, mostly to myself. Plus, I’d really like to go over the students’ swim times and strategies. Acing my job means everything to me. I haven’t touched gold in a while, so I want this win.

Coach Reed removes his suit jacket and fixes the cuffs to his white button-down. “You look great tonight, Sulli.”

Okay, my boyfriends definitely hit the bullseye. This is a date. Fucking ugh.

My face scrunches up like someone waved broccoli in front of me. “Coach Reed—”

The waitress pops in, cutting me off. “Can I start you off with a beverage?”

While he orders, I steal a glance at Akara and Banks’ table. They’re in earshot of us, and they’re glares could erupt volcanoes. I’m sure they’ve heard him flirting. I am not flirting back. I’m just trying to reroute this train, so that I can talk about swimming.

Coach Reed peruses the menu. “We’ll do your Cab from Napa.”

“Oh no, not me.” I wave a hand to the waitress. “Water is fine.”

He frowns. “Would you rather do a martini? Beer?”

“I’m not drinking tonight. This is a work thing.” A WORK THING! I scream in my head. Seriously, I’m seconds from yelling out loud.

“Come on, one glass of wine won’t hurt.”

The waitress must sense the awkward shift because she gives me a sympathetic look before turning to Coach Reed. “Sir, I don’t think she wants anything to drink.”

“I don’t,” I say, and give her a small smile. Thank you.

She nods back. “I’ll come back in a few more minutes to grab your food orders.”

Coach Reed slouches a little in his chair. “Sullivan—”

I cut him off. “Coach Reed,” I snap, hot with annoyance. “I’m only here for work. I want to make it crystal clear that this is not a date.”

Words. I’ve found them deep in my core, and I’m so fucking glad I didn’t stumble over them. I think about how proud my mom and dad would be of me, and my carriage rises tenfold.

Coach Reed nods. “You’re right. The signals got crossed. I thought it was clear I was asking you out.” He winces harder. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more upfront.”

I take a tight breath and scoot my chair back. “Can we just talk back at the gym?”

“Yeah, of course.” Coach Reed places his cloth napkin back on the table.

Akara and Banks stand up at the same time as me, and the tension in the air strains. Their glares are cemented on Coach Reed, and I’m lucky they didn’t intervene at any point on my behalf. They knew I had the power to work this out myself.

“Bye, Sullivan,” Coach Reed says.

Before I leave the room, I say, “It’s Coach Meadows.”

Akara plants a hand on my shoulder. “Take her to the car,” he whispers to Banks.

I feel Banks’ hand on the small of my back, and he’s already guiding me out. Away from the private room. Akara doesn’t follow. I stop suddenly, glancing back as the door to the private room swings closed. “What is he doing?” I ask Banks.

Banks doesn’t even look over his shoulder. “Having words with The Rodent.”

27

AKARA KITSUWON

I hated every second of watching that interaction. It was hard not to swoop in, but I’m proud of Sulli for sticking up for herself. And as her security, I need to make sure Ryan Reed won’t be a bigger threat down the line. I wait for the door to the private room to swing closed before I turn back to the coach.

“What are you still doing here?” Coach Reed asks me.

I remain standing. Towering. I may not be six-seven like Banks, but I can hold my own when it comes to intimidation. “I want us to be clear,” I tell him. “That you won’t be asking Sulli out ever again. Don’t even think about making a move on her.”

Coach Reed leans back in his chair, frowning. “I told her this was a misunderstanding, and I meant it.”

“Good,” I nod. “So there isn’t any more misunderstandings, I need you to know something. Something that will stay between you and me per the NDA you signed.”

Curiosity blankets his face. “I won’t tell anyone anything. Sullivan is a part of Warwick University now, and if she helps Frankie and Ravi get on the Olympic Team, that looks good for the school. And it looks good for me, since I’m the one who recommended her for the position.”

That’s good to know.

Honestly though, I don’t care if he blabs this to the whole world. That risk still exists no matter what he signs or what he says to me.