“I know!”
From there, the conversation went on for two hours. We covered her parents, (not in depth but enough to know they still sucked) her classes, my senior season, and shenanigans with the guys. I told her about Lorelei and Mackenzie and their summer list of challenges. She told me about the second time she ever drank. She sang karaoke with Esmerelda, and the crowd booed.
It was as if no time had passed.
I was about to ask her if she wanted to just grab dinner when she checked her phone and winced.
“I can’t believe it’s six. Wow. I actually need to head out.” She frowned and awkwardly let her hand hang in the air between us. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no worries.”
Ask where she’s going. Ask to tag along.
“You have plans?” I asked, casually as hell. I wasn’t ready for our time together to end. I knew it was selfish, and she had a life. I did too. But damn if I didn’t want to hold onto this new version of us a little longer. I had the strangest feeling that the magic of today wouldn’t carry over until the next time we hung out, and I wanted to savor it.
“Monday night dinners with Esme and her brother. We watch silly reality TV game shows while we cook. It’s this tradition we have.” She waved the hand still in the air, like swatting something away. “It’s my night to pick.”
“Do you do this every week?”
She nodded. “I know it’s cheesy, but?—”
“Stop.” I cut her off. “Do you look forward to it?”
She nodded as she stood. She adjusted her dress, and I took in the crop top. Ivy pulled it off super fucking well. And with the laced chucks? She looked hot. I was adjusting just fine to themy former best friend is hottrain. “Then why diss it?”
“Because I’m learning this new version of you, and you probably do way cooler things, like parties and hooking up and?—”
“I’m stillme.” My nostrils flared with annoyance. “I binge-watch CSI in my room alone at night when I can’t sleep. That shit is crack for me even though the acting is garbage.”
“Miami still your favorite?”
“Yes.” I motioned for her to leave the café first, letting my gaze trailed down her. A warm, buzzing sensation formed in my gut at the way the dress hugged her body. Somehow, knowing all the pain she went through as a child with her injury made the strength in her legs even more attractive. Ivy was strong as fuck.
“That show is ridiculous,” she said, pulling me from checking her out.
Maybe it was a good thing we were parting ways. This pull I had toward her had always been there, but the attraction? She was cute, but I never let myself entertain the idea. It would juststopbecause I was so afraid of messing what we had up. But I already did mess it up. So, this new territory was terrifying because I couldn’t survive losing her again.
11
IVY
The following morning, I attended my lecture and discussion class on sports management before arriving at the stadium to work eight hours. I’d always been okay being on my feet, but my knee and arm hurt today. They ached in a way that caused me to wince every step, and I scolded myself for not carrying some painkillers.
Managing my injuries was second nature, but sometimes, when I was distracted, I forgot to ice them at night or to bring extra meds. I could hear my parents frowning, miles away, that I couldn’t even hack it as an athletic trainer. They never said they were disappointed in me, but it was in their every look and breath. They wanted to have a superior athlete as a child, and that just wasn’t me. And they never expressed interest in the program, either. It was always just a sigh and awell, you’re motivated for it, I guess.
It was weird how you expected your parents to champion you all your life when really, they didn’t always. It was you and your people. If you were excited and wanted to do something, that was all you needed.
I adjusted my hair, retied the bow—today was white—and held my head high as I walked into Henry’s office to report in.
Despite the obvious distraction of Callum returning to my life, the anticipation and excitement of seeing him again was almost enough to cover the lingering pain.
“Emerson.” Henry nodded in greeting as he eyed me, Abe, and the other two interns at the stadium this semester. Kamrica and Colin were nice, but I always ended up paired with Abe.
“Hi, Henry,” I said, placing my hands behind my back and standing straight. He preferred us to stay in a line as he gave us orders for the day. It was regimented, which I liked.
Fact: having a routine could help deal with stress.
“Thanks all for coming today. We have our first road game this weekend on Saturday night. I’ve assigned Abe and Ivy to attend on the road.” He paused, his gazing flicking to us and back. “There are expectations for behavior on road trips. We will be staying at the hotel Saturday night with the team.”
