Laughing, having fallen and gotten back up and now as muddy and wet as Evan, Daniel listened and watched as Evan showed him step by step how to move the ball, controlling it with precision. Then he taught him the best way to practice. Putting a foot on top of the ball for balance and speed in agility drills. Really helpful stuff.
It was like having Superman teach a guy how to fly. Amaze-balls.
“Okay, guys, I’m drenched, and we can’t spend all day playing soccer,” Kenzie reminded them.
Will and a few stragglers complained, but they eventually broke up and headed back to their cars. Evan walked with Daniel and Kenzie, and Rachel and Will promised to come over later for dinner as they headed to their vehicle.
“Hey, Evan, do you want to come too?” Daniel asked, though he probably should have checked with his sister first.
“Sure. Kenzie already told me I had to stay for dinner if I was going to fix all the stuff around the house I promised.”
“Oh, cool.” Daniel hadn’t heard about the plan, but it worked for him. “Where are you going now?”
Evan grinned. “Your place. I owe your sister a few favors, and she insisted I pay up. She’s pretty tough for a cute chick.”
“Oh, the compliments.” Kenzie made a face at Evan, and to Daniel’s pleased surprise, Evan made one back.
Kenzie laughed. “That was one ugly face.”
“You should talk.”
Daniel liked their banter. It felt real, not all flirty but that of two people who enjoyed each other. And Evan didn’t ignore him the way Bryce sometimes used to toward the end. As if pretending Daniel wasn’t around.
“Hey Daniel, what do you think?” Evan made the same face at Daniel.
“She’s right. That’s hideous.”
“Dude, I’m a mirror. That’s yourself you’re looking at.”
Daniel frowned. “That made no sense.”
“If we were in the twilight zone, it would.”
“Huh?”
“Oh my God. You have no idea what that is, do you? Today’s youth.” Evan shook his head.
“Hold on. Let’s get back to you owing Kenzie some favors. For what, exactly?” This should be good. Did his sister and Evan really think he couldn’t see they had something going on between them? Hell, it was so obvious.
And Rachel and Will talking about how cute a couple they made didn’t help, no matter how many times Kenzie denied it.
She liked the guy, and Evan had a tough time keeping his eyes off Kenzie whenever she was around.
“Um, well, Evan got a few more clients because of me.”
“Right. She introduced me to more people.”
“Sure she did.” Daniel contained a snort, barely. “I guess we’ll meet you back at the house.” He coveted Evan’s car, big-time. “Or I could drive back with you and meet Kenzie at home.”
Evan glanced at her. “Fine with me.”
She frowned at them. “Okay. But Daniel, behave.”
“Hey, I wasn’t the one throwing elbows and punches and calling people fucknugget.”
“Daniel Sykes.Watch your mouth.” She glared.
Daniel pointed at Evan, hiding his laughter behind a fake cough. “It was him.”
