He said it earlier, just to me, but now it’s out there for the world.
Becky’s only reaction is a slight widening of her eyes. Mine is my heart falling through the floor, then loop-de-looping over the top of the house on a roller coaster ride back into my chest. I also realize I must have gasped a little when both Marcus’s and Becky’s eyes shift to me.
“Is this how you feel too, Addie?” she asks, pinning me in her serious gaze.
I’m scared to peel my eyes away from Becky to look at Marcus. Afraid I’ll see that he’s not serious—that he’s only saying that to save face. But in my peripheral, I see him lean closer, waiting for my response. All I can muster is the hint of a nod.
“Okay, then,” Becky says, leaning back and releasing me from her scrutiny. “Marcus, you’re twenty…two?”
“Three,” he corrects.
She nods. “And I expect you’ve been around the block a few times. You know how important safe sex is. Addie’s too young to have her life turned upside down by an unexpected preg—”
“Wait…” I cut in, finally finding words and trying to wrap my mind around the direction this conversation is going. “So you’re not going to say anything?”
Her eyes turn to me. “I didn’t say that, Addie. I’m deciding what needs to happen with your father. But as far as reporting your coach to the school, no. I don’t see what good would come from that.” She glances at Marcus. “…if what you say is true and you’re interested in a relationship with Addie.”
“I am, but…” He looks at me. “Things are going to be tricky for the next several months.”
Becky looks at me. “Any thoughts on how your father is going to handle this?” she asks with a flick of her wrist between Marcus and me.
“Not well.” He already calls Marcus “the pervert.”
She leans on her hand and taps a finger to her cheekbone. “He will be in a delicate place when he gets home, so it might be better to wait to tell him until he’s on solid footing with his rehab.”
I nod, thinking the best option is to not tell him at all until January, when I turn eighteen.
Becky brushes her hands down the front of her slacks, shifting her attention to Marcus. “There’s a significant gap in age and experience between you and Addie, but I know you’re aware of that. I hope you’re mature enough to recognize that it means this relationship will progress differently than one with a woman your own age. I’m taking a huge leap of faith here, and I just pray you’re the person I think you are.”
“I’d never do anything to hurt her,” he says, and I know what’s coming when he shoots me an apologetic glance, “but you should know that I’m under investigation for inappropriate contact with one of Addie’s teammates.”
Panic flashes in Becky’s gaze as it cuts to me.
“He didn’t do it, Becky,” I interject. “I’ve watched Corinne make moves on Marcus all season, and he’s never touched her.”
Her eyes narrow and shift back to Marcus. “Then why is she saying you did?”
He rakes a hand through his hair. “I’ve turned her down more than once, and I’m afraid the last time might have been pretty harsh. I think this is her payback.”
“Why didn’t you take the problem to administration before it got out of hand?” she asks. Her tone is all accusation and my stomach tightens.
Marcus leans his elbows on his knees. “The principal knew there were rumors. He asked me to be careful and I have been, but—”
“I just caught you in my niece’s bed,” Becky cuts in, her voice a blade. “How is that being careful?”
He takes a breath. “You’re right. There’s no justification for being here with Addie. But I’ve never taken advantage of my position. I’ve never done anything like this before.” He stands. “Totally against my will and in spite of myriad personal reasons why this was a very bad choice, I fell for your niece. It wasn’t something I asked for, but it’s not something I can change either.” He glances down at me. “I’m going to leave now, because I think you and Addie have some things to discuss. After you’ve talked, you can decide what you need to do. If your decision is to report me to the school administration or the police, I understand.”
He turns for the door and I spring to my feet. “Don’t go!”
I see his ribs rise and fall with a deep breath, then he turns. “Everything I’ve ever told you is the God’s honest truth, Addie. But I’ve known from the beginning that you were off limits and I crossed that line anyway. Whatever consequences come from that are on me.”
I swallow back my protest as he pulls the door open and disappears through it. When it closes behind him, I spin on Becky. “He didn’t have to tell you that.”
“I would have found out,” she counters. “I want the truth, Addie. Did he coerce you or threaten you?”
“No!” I flop down on the couch. “You really believe I’m that stupid?”