I grin tightly and snap another shot toward him.
It’s stupid because he can easily hit these back. He sends the ball to my feet, and I miss my next shot into the net.
Garrett’s breathing heavy. “You’re a little scary.”
I can’t tell if that’s a compliment or another performance. My skin feels too hot, my hands jittery. It’s only made worse by the fact that our audience is growing. We play a few more points, then I tell Garrett I should probably finish up.
The decision to stay for open play or not has never felt easier.
“This was fun,” I say as I head for my bag.
“Yeah, we should do it again sometime.”
How I’d wished to hear those words just a week ago. Now they fell a little flat. “That would be great.”
“Don’t leave without saying goodbye.”
I salute him and head to the restrooms, the noise of the courts fading behind me. Right before I push through the door, movement catches my eye, and I look right instead of left. Calder’s at an open locker.
There’s no thinking before my next move. I rush forward, grab his arm, and pull him into one of the open shower rooms and close the door. “You can’t tell him we already had lessons.”
“Who, Garrett?”
I nod. “Yes, Garrett. Who else?”
Calder’s eyes narrow. “Why not?”
“Because. You said he needed competition, so I asked about you! I pretended I was interested in lessons. Like—” I press my fingers to my temples. “Like I was interested in you.”
His eyebrows lift. “You asked Garrett about me?”
“Yes! It was the only thing that made sense. You’ve seen the guys at work.”
“What about Jerome?”
I smack his chest. “Shut up.”
The corner of his mouth turns up, and I’m suddenly very aware of how close we’re standing.
Calder blows out a breath. “Lies. The perfect start to a budding relationship.”
“Oh come on! Everyone lies a little at the beginning of a relationship.”
He crosses his arms, and they nearly brush my chest. “I don’t.”
“Really. You’ve never told a white lie to get to know someone?”
He considers that. “No.”
“Well. Add me to your prayer list so I can ride your coattails to heaven.” I try to push past him to get to the door, but he doesn’t move. “I need to go.”
“Was Garrett good at drilling?”
I groan. “Oh my gosh, you’re the worst.”
“Did he have gentle hands?”
I laugh in spite of myself, then tip my chin up to level my eyes at him. “I drove hard. He took it like a man.” Not exactly the metaphor I was going for, but the look on Calder’s face is worth it.
