“I actually bought you something, if you’re up for it. I found a cheap polaroid camera and a little moleskin journal for you to document everything. If you want, of course.”
“Wait. A camera? That prints pictures? Hell yes, Lolo. This is… I love it.”
My lips curved up at her enthusiasm. Seeing her so damn happy eased the unwarranted tension that formed thinking about her and Callum together.
“Let’s take a photo with our shirts. You can put it in the first page now, if you want?”
“You are the best friend ever, oh my god.” Mack jumped in a circle. “Everyone, get in close!”
I scooted next to my sister and put my arm around her as everyone squished together. Mack stood right in front of me, and I pulled her close. I tried to ignore her curves or how she smelled or how she wiggled against me and let out a cute little sigh. She was happy, and I was selfish because I wanted to be a part of her joy.
“Gah! Look at this, it’s so fucking cute!” Mack hopped up and down and shook the photo. Her smile stretched across her face; her radiant joy almost visible around her. “Let’s go knock off an item on that list!”
“If you get naughty with the bartender, then you can check off two of them!” Callum shouted, causing the girls to giggle.
It should’ve had me feeling weird, hanging with the girls’ soccer team. I’d never really done it before, never was interested, but now I couldn’t imagine a more fun random night. We wore our dumb shirts, looking like a dorky gang, yet I smiled more than I had in months. Even if I wasn’t a huge fan of this damn playbook…I kinda wanted to see it play out.
CHAPTER
FIVE
Mack
“Okay, you little gremlins! We’re running laps to warm up our muscles. Down and back three times, focus on good jogging form. You’re going to hear me talk about fundamentals a lot this summer. Anyone know what that means?” I yelled.
“The basics?”
“Very close. They are using your body in the right way. When you practice a certain way, it becomes permanent in your mind. Now, three down and backs.” I clapped my hands and blew my whistle. It rang across the thick air the next morning. Everything seemed a little brighter today. Maybe it was the air of badass I had now, knowing I made a motherfucking drink on my own. I’d asked the bartender, and he’d agreed, letting me create one and serve my friends. It was the best ten minutes of my college life, and I still had a little high from it.
And it has nothing to do with the fact Dean couldn’t stop staring at you.It had to be the shirt. It was… eye-catching. That was the truth. I was used to people recognizing meif they were soccer fans, but last night was unparalleled. It was fun and wild and exactly what I wanted this summer.
To be more than just a soccer star. To have an experience that wasn’t related to being on the field.
The seven-year-olds took off down the field in a chorus of giggles and cheers, pulling me from the memories. Some parents sat in the stands, clapping and shouting their daughters’ names, encouraging them to hustle. The June sun burned bright without a cloud in the sky, and I grinned hard. The grass was freshly cut, and it smelled like sunscreen and summer. My skin prickled with sweat from the early morning humidity, and damn, I was lucky.
Between my challenge last night and day four of the camp, I was feeling good. Excited, even. I loved being in this coaching role because I knew everything I didn’t want to be for these girls. I’d push them but remain positive. I’d never say anything that would have them doubt themselves, that was for damn sure.
Maybe this would be the summer I’d remember for the rest of my life. Instead of being the secondary character, I was taking over as the protagonist. Watch out, world!
The girls completed lap one and jogged toward the second. We practiced on the football field since ours was getting reseeded and redone the next two weeks. While I hated the truth, more participants signed up if we used the football field. It drew more people in, and even if I played with my heart and soul, sports were still a business. Just because I understood it didn’t mean I liked it.
I wore my neon pink spandex and matching tank today and styled my hair in long French braids. They were my go-to look when I wanted to feel in charge.
“Coach Mack! Coach Mack!” A little girl with brown pigtails ran toward me from the entrance to the field. A tallfigure walked behind her with familiar broad shoulders. She panted as she stopped in front of me, gasping for air. “I’m sorry! I’m late! I got lost!”
“Hey, it’s okay. Take some deep breaths. Here, stand tall. Your lungs need air.” I put my hands behind my head, opening up my chest for her to model. “Do this and do slow breaths.”
Her cheeks were red as she gasped for air.
And the familiar shoulders turned into a very familiar face with that familiar tug low in my gut toward him.
Dean Romano approached us, his dark brown eyes scanning me up and down. A zing went through me at the gesture, but it didn’t mean anything. Dean was a natural flirt. Not like Callum—he was what you’d call a massive ho. But Dean oozed sexual prowess and confidence, and he liked women. A year ago, I would’ve thought about that look for hours and weighed the consequences of acting on it.
That was over. The possible flirtation wouldn’t go anywhere, and I was sick of getting my hopes up for something that wouldn’t happen. He didn’t see me like that even if his stare lingered on my legs. I had great legs.
“Hey, Dean, what brings you to our soccer camp today?”
“Gabby ended up wandering the concourse, freaking out about Coach Mack and being late.” He smiled. “I told her you’d understand.”
