“You got a little something…” she trails off and she wipes at my stubble.Her brows pull together as she tries to get whatever it is off my face.
“Tali was smearing mac and cheese all over my face.”I shrug my shoulders.“I should probably just wash my face.”
I take a step back and her hand falls to her side.I want to fix things between us, but I don’t know how to.I screwed it all up and I'm not sure she’ll give me another chance.
After quickly washing my face at the kitchen sink, I pat my skin dry with paper towels.I grab my plate and am about to rejoin everyone else outside around the fire when Cici’s voice stops me.
“Can we… Would you be interested in going out for dinner next week when you’re off?”
I spin around to face her and find her eyes closed.She gives herself a moment before she opens them and stares at me, waiting for me to answer her.
“Sure.I have to check my schedule.I'm not sure when we’re off.”I grip the back of my neck, more than uncomfortable right now.I hate how our relationship has changed so much.
“You’re off Tuesday and Friday.”As soon as the words are out of her mouth, she winces.“Sorry, that sounds pretty stalkerish, huh?”
“Just a little.”I hold my thumb and forefinger close together, making her chuckle.
“In my defense, I know my dad and brother’s schedule...and the Pit Bulls schedule.It just so happens that all of their schedules are the same as yours.”
“Either day works for me then.I have no life outside of baseball.”
“Can we plan on Friday?I'm less likely to work late that night.”
“Sure.I’ll make some reservations and text you with the details.”
“Thanks, Covey.I…” She trails off again.A light pink blush spreads across her cheeks and she shakes her head.
“You, what?”I take a few steps towards her.
“Never mind.It doesn’t matter.”
“Tell me, Cici.”I don’t stop until I'm standing right in front of her.
“I just miss spending time with you.I don’t want us to be awkward.I want to be friends.”
“Me too, sweetheart.We’ll figure it out, ok?”
“You promise?”She stares up at me with those big blue eyes.Ones I’ve gotten lost in more than once over the years.
“Yes.On Friday, we’ll figure everything out.”
Chapter 3
Cici
FromthesecondIgot to Schmidt’s house, I couldn’t take my eyes off of Covey.He was so sweet with how he was playing with Tali.I expected him to get angry when she was rubbing her hands over his face, but he smiled and kept going on like it wasn’t happening at all.
His thick black hair is long on the top with the sides cut short.He always has a little bit of a curl to the longer strands and it makes me want to run my fingers through it.His thick scruff on his jaw gives him that delicious five o’clock shadow I can't resist.But it’s his easy smile that always draws me in.
He’s so different from the rest of the guys.He doesn’t feel like he’s more important because he plays professional baseball.He doesn’t want people to look up to him or be in awe of him in any way.There isn't this cocky personality or anything like that.He’s laid-back and sweet, yet he’s really funny.
In the middle of the game, you’ll find Covey twerking on the field.He doesn’t have a problem making a fool out of himself and it’s addicting.I blame it on Dad.He’s always been willing to embarrass himself if it got a smile out of Mom, Cord, or myself.He never cared what other people thought about him, he only cared about us.
Now, I want that in a future husband.I want to know we can joke around and not take life too seriously.I crave someone who will do almost anything to make me laugh.
His short sleeved black shirt is stretched across his broad chest.There’s a hint of a tattoo peeking out from beneath his sleeve, but I don’t know what it’s of.He never wears sleeveless shirts and somehow, I’ve never seen him shirtless.
He’s always wearing old worn jeans and a pair of sneakers.It makes him seem even more laid-back than his personality already makes him.
