“If you’re going against this Chad Douche, you need to polish this so they can’t say you’re too young. Again, it’s bullshit and illegal, but it’s reality. If Chad is the chosen one and the bro, you need to be better than him in every way.”
Charlotte nodded. “Okay, I like this plan. Let’s do it right now. Do I do a PowerPoint? Write this all out? I’d love—”
“Hey,” I said, smiling at her. “First, take a breath and another drink.”
She blinked fast, her face lighting up with energy. Charlotte was like a bolt of lightning when she put her mind to something, and I always admired that about her. She learned to drive a stick shift out of pure determination. She earned a scholarship because she spent every waking second improving herself. Honestly, I don’t know how I didn’t even think to have Charlotte and Silvia talk. She’d be an incredible resource for her too.
Charlotte breathed in and out, long and slow, her lips forming a little O shape. They seemed redder, plumper.Shit.I cleared my throat, sipping my beer to cool down my thoughts. This was game time, nothing more.
“First lesson for you: perception is reality.”
“Um, okay? Are you a philosopher? What does that even mean?” She frowned. Tight lines formed around her eyes and mouth, and they looked so out of place.
Charlotte was one of the happiest people I knew, and even her face seemed to repel the thought of not smiling. The little line between her eyebrows was adorable. My finger twitched, the urge to trace the little indent overwhelmingly strong.
“The athletic director clearly has an agenda already. His perception of the role, of who should have it, is his reality. So in his mind, you’re too young. Chad is better, older.”
“Um, I hate this.”
“I know, but hold on. There’s a purpose to this.” I fought a smile.
“Are you sure? I thought this might be punishment for calling youdaddyearlier, so you want to make me sweat.” She chuckled.
A flash of heat pounded through me.No. Not now.
“No. I’m trying to prepare you for how to win. Much like coaching, you have to scout the competition. If the AD has this notion already, how can you pick it apart? How can you change his perception of you? Is it experience? Is it familiarity with the parent groups? Is it contacts in the community? We figure out the root of his opinion, and then we exploit it.”
“Wow.” Charlotte ran a hand over her hair, her mouth slightly parted. “This is… I can’t believe I thought I could do this without you.”
“Char, hon, you absolutely could’ve. I just want to help give you a leg up.”
She eyed her watch and sighed. “This could take hours. We only have a few before they’re back and we get ready for dinner. What if I can’t get this all done by then?”
“I know.” This time I frowned. “Why are you worried?”
“Can we… could we meet again tomorrow about it?” Her mouth twisted in concern. Her eyes dimmed. “I can watch Gwen in payment! Or, uh, find something—”
“Whoa, hey.” This time I placed my hand on hers. Hersoft skin contrasted with my rough, dry hand. “I offered to help you, and I don’t do anything half-assed. We can meet as often as it takes.”
“Are you sure? I’m needy and have so many questions. You might get annoyed, and if we’re trying to be friends—”
“You never annoy me,” I almost growled.
“That is not true.” Her eyes twinkled this time. “I recall a moment when you were twenty-one when you told me to stop talking.”
I knew exactly what she referenced. My face heated. “I had brought my girlfriend back from college, and you wouldn’t shut up about all the times I was an idiot.”
“Oh, I know.” A smug, sexy smile flittered across her face. “Just saying, I do have the ability to annoy you. It’s important to acknowledge when I’m right.”
“God, you’re annoying,” I teased.
She granted me another smile. “I’ve missed you, Hayden. I enjoyed being a part of your and Christian’s circle. I’m glad we ended up here together this weekend.”
Her words felt like a blanket wrapping around me and providing me warmth. She missed me. I missed her. Her accusations earlier were true. I did push her away, and I’ve lived with that regret for years. She might never know the real reasons for it, and I thought… maybe… somehow that we’d have a chance to talk about it.
“Me too,” I said. It could be the two drinks, the fire, or the way she stared at me, but my face tingled with heat. This moment seemed bigger than just us reconnecting, like whatever happened this weekend would change everything.
I might’ve been grumpy about driving hours away from my parents and daughter, but at least one good thing would come of this. Char and I were learning to be friends again. Even being around her just a short time reminded me of all the reasons I adored her, and if I could hide my attraction and not be an ass, we would be okay.
