“You didn’t have that?”
It’s not a question. I suspect she knows about my parents’ divorce, even though it happened before Kyle and I became friends.
“No, I didn’t have that.” I clear my throat. “It’s okay. My parents love me and my sister. Just not each other. And my house was nice, but it was empty.”
She shrugs. “I’ve never been inside that house, I’ve just seen the outside. Kyle said it was cool inside.”
“I guess. My mom still lives there, but it’s been remodeled in the last few years. We’ve always joked it was so sterile because my mom’s a nurse.”
She laughs. “Ours certainly needed sterilizing once in a while.”
“It wasn’t dirty. It was just…enjoyed.”
“That’s true. It was.” A glance passes between us. Something like old friends. That’s what we are. It feels good being around someone who knew you before you became well-known in your field. Before there were billboards of your face in random places. Before you had to question anyone and everyone’s motives.
We’re interrupted by Dante Dowell’s parents, and I introduce them to Charlotte. We’re all talking and she’s…charming. Attentive. Almost confident.
As I watch her, I’m hit with another pang I don’t understand. I know it’s probably silly to see it that way, but her turning down the job feels like another rejection from her. It reminds me of our sushi date and how indifferent she seemed. Again, I wasn’t expecting her to fawn over me, it’s just…
Okay, maybe I was. I’d gotten too used to that, being new to the NFL was an exciting entity. An up-and-coming star on people’s radar. But I wasn’t on hers and apparently I’m still not.
I realized, while I was playing in the scrimmage moments ago, that I wanted her to see me throw the ball around. I wanted her to watch me throw a fade pass and be good. Iamgood at what I do.
I wanted to show off for Charlotte Mercer.
I groan internally.
I should not be trying to get her attention. She’s my best friend’s little sister, and Kyle wouldn’t want me to date her. Besides, I can feel it as surely as an animal in a pen senses a brewing storm. Things are changing in my life. Things are about to be turned upside down with Casey Riddock around.
Dante’s parents leave and I’m struck again by her beauty. Her fire. “Charlotte, is there anything I can do about your job situation? Besides offer you a job you don’t want?” I give a hollow laugh.
She gives a lop-sided smile. “I appreciate you thinking of me and inviting me her to make that happen. I really do.”
“Of course.” I don’t mention that I had other, more selfish reasons for inviting her.
She continues on. “It was a very sweet gesture.” There’s an openness in her eyes that looks something like hope.
“Well, it wasn’t the right fit, but is there something else I can do?”
“Besides giving us a couple million in cold hard cash?” She laughs and holds up a hand. “I’m totally kidding!” She grows serious. “What about helping spread the word? I’m trying to throw together a last-minute gait analysis night before the center closes. It’s a nod to my big project I’ve been working on, and since I don’t have a year plus to get it all done, we’re just going to do something on a smaller scale.”
“Sure, I’ll talk it up.”
“How’s your social media game?” she asks.
“I don’t pay much attention to it, but I’ve got a pretty large number of followers. The team’s social media managers usually post stuff for me.”
She taps her finger thoughtfully against her lips. “Can you come over to my place tomorrow night?”
Chapter 14
Taysom
“Okay,willyoubeserious for one second?” Charlotte says, her hands on her hips. She’s standing behind a tripod that’s holding her phone so she can film, and her mouth is in a tight line.
“It’s not me, it’s Miley!” I say, trying and failing to hold in a chuckle. It’s like those videos of a whole basket full of kittensbeing dumped in someone’s lap and then suddenly there’s this sensory overloaded happiness. Except, Miley’s one cat, and she’s determined to ruin this filming if it’s the last thing she does.
Charlotte’s frustration dissipates and she smiles reluctantly. “That kitten is obsessed with you.”
