But for Kenzie’s friend, he’d sacrifice his shins. “Fine. Just don’t blame me if we lose.”
* * *
Evan didn’t realize how much he’d missed playing sports, but running around a soccer field avoiding illegal tackles and kicking the crap out of a small black-and-white ball had been well worth borrowed shin guards that didn’t fit right.
And Kenzie stared at him as if he could do no wrong. He had to admit, he’d been working harder to impress her than he had to impress his teammates. Yet he’d done well enough, scoring three of their five goals and assisting with two others.
Will and the rest of the team plied him with compliments and bribes, while the other team demanded to know what connection Evan, a soccer ringer, had with those “cheating lawyers.”
Will yelled at the Parks & Wreck team and ended by saying, “Our player has nothing to say to you. He’s pleading the fifth. Bring all complaints before the board, you freakin’ whiners.”
Evan was confused. “You have a board for this?”
“We had to. Parks & Wreck complains at the drop of a hat, and they’re not nearly as bad as the Adminis-traitors.” Will made a face. “All the departments volunteer someone to sit on the sports board to hear issues once every two weeks. Personally, I find it ironic we can’t all get along, but whatever. If it keeps the cops from cheating like a mother during softball season, I’m game.”
He dragged Evan away from the team’s many congratulations and demands that he return when they faced off against the Top Cops and Station 8. Everyone bitched about the firefighters, in particular, playing dirty.
He found Kenzie chatting with Rachel and a few other women, standing around a huge cooler.
She had a cup in hand and gave him a big grin. “My hero.”
He bowed. “For you,ma chere.”
“Do you speak French?”
“Not really. No.”
Rachel hugged Will. “Way to try hard, honey.”
“Hey. I was good. Wasn’t I, Evan?”
“Well, you did block that one shot with your head.”
“See? I use my entire body when I play.” Will kissed her. “Kenzie, can you believe how good your boy is? I mean, Evan said he played in college, but that was inspired.”
Evan shrugged, feeling tired but happy. “I did go on a soccer scholarship.”
“You have to play next week against the Top Cops.” Will sobered. “I’m serious. If you don’t, I’ll end up getting stuck working traffic cases.”
Evan chuckled. “Will, I’d like to, but I don’t think I can. I’m not a county employee.”
“But you’re an accountant,” Kenzie said. “Maybe you could do some consulting work for Will’s office or something.”
Will perked up. “We can work with that.”
“Don’t you have an accounting manager?” Evan asked, bemused. “What exactly are my tax dollars paying for?”
“I’ll talk to some people. Expect a call.” Then he darted away with Rachel under his arm.
Kenzie bit her lip. “Uh, sorry?”
He sighed. “This was fun and all, but not how I expected spending my night with you.” He wiped the sweat off his forehead with his shirt, feeling sticky and smelly. “Don’t get too close. I’m a little rank.”
“So sexy.” She laughed. “Evan, you were amazing. I had no idea you could move like that.”
“Oh, you should see my moves.” He gave her a lecherous grin that had her blushing. “Sunday I was caught off guard. But when I’m on my game, I’m unforgettable.”
“I don’t know. You were pretty unforgettable on Sunday.” She cleared her throat. “I think we should go before that annoyed-looking parks director comes over here. Hurry. He’s looking right at you.”
