“Brennan would never let me live it down…” His words fade into a whisper at the mention of his friend. Malcolm’s jaw ticks, as if he can tell the protective walls around his memory just cracked a tiny bit. It’s rare when he talks about Brennan.
“What?” I ask softly.
“If I gave up the chance to share a bed with a woman like you.”
Chapter twelve
Kate
“You think they’ll notice?”Tessa whispers to Claire.
“Yes, they will notice if you steal the entire plate of cheese,” Malcolm growls under his breath.
Everyone has been overly excited about all the amenities included in camp—specifically, the fancy snacks. I can see it chipping away at Malcolm’s reserve bit by bit. They’re like children in a candy store—touching everything, smelling everything, gasping and pointing like they just saw a unicorn. I glance around at the things drawing the kids’ attention and have to bite the inside of my cheek to resist having the same reaction. They have a watermelon carved into a volleyball at the drink station, for crying out loud! Jess lets out a quiet squeal when a waiter walks by with an onion ring tower they have shaped into a palm tree.
“Can you guyspleasekeep it together, at least until tomorrow? We’ve been here one day.” He rubs the back of his neck and waves the waitress over.
She has long blonde hair and her skintight blouse doesn’t leave much to the imagination as she leans in insanely close tohis face.Whoa there, Nelly.He whispers something in her ear, and she lets out a literal hyena laugh in response. It might have shattered glass if it went on too long. I can’t fight the eye roll that overtakes me at their exchange and turn my body away so I don’t get caught. Giggles and whispers continue behind me for what feels like an eternity. Doesn’t she have other tables to attend to?
“Thank you,” he whispers.
The waitress leaves the table but not without glancing back over her shoulder and giving Malcolm a bat of her eyelashes.
I really don’t have a problem with women flirting with Malcolm, or with Malcolm flirting with other women, even though I’ve never actually seen him flirt with a woman—at least, not when I’m around. But after our conversation this afternoon, I’ve felt myself drawn to fleshing that out more.
Just the simple fact of him bringing up Brennan was enough to floor me. I can count on one hand the number of times he’s brought his friend up in conversation. Butthento add those words…those shell-shocking, orbit-disrupting words at the end…a woman like you.
I’m baffled.
It feels like a part of him has talked to Brennan about me, which I do believe is possible, talking to the people we’ve lost. I talk to my grandpa all the time—sometimes about things I don’t have the guts to share with anyone else yet. Maybe Malcolm does that with Brennan, and the sheer fact that he alluded to it has me feeling more connected to him, like he’s tied an invisible string around my heart and is holding the other end, tugging me to him.
“Dude, when do we eat?” Travis groans from the opposite end of our team table. He seems to have forgotten he can help himself to the hors d'oeuvres by the drink station.
The conference room is abuzz with athletes and coaches from across the country, each sitting in their respective groups. Oval-shaped tables draped with shiny white satin tablecloths, and small, colorful island plant arrangements sit in the center. Green with splashes of pink and yellow. Small ocean-blue name plates with gold foil lettering sit atop a beach-themed cloth napkin, indicating our assigned seats. The wait staff, donned in crisp white button-down tops and black ties, black aprons tied across their waists, are a striking contrast to our group’s sweaty athletic wear. Glendale sticks out like a sore thumb.
We are far from extravagant as a group, I’m aware. But this seems a tad excessive for a college scouting camp, in my opinion.
As if right on cue, a group of coaches—luckily also in athletic wear—walk to center stage and stand at the microphone.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Coach Dawson with MU.” He smiles and nods as scattered claps come from across the conference hall. He stands a solid two inches taller than the others at his side, and by the looks of Devon, Garrett, and Travis sitting at attention at the mention of his name, this is the guy to impress.
Devon was given a full-ride to MU, with Garrett waitlisted, pending his recovery. Travis, on the other hand, was deferred. But according to Malcolm, he could have a chance to prove himself here at camp—ifhe can stay out of trouble.
Coach Dawson introduces the other college coaches on the stage with him, each representing a different sport, then proceeds to introduce each team. A surge of panic courses through my veins like acid at the thought of standing to acknowledge his introduction of us. Embarrassing, clumsy memories flood my mind. Like when I tripped over Johnnie Larson’s broken leg while attempting to present the flag during our President’s Day assembly in the third grade, humiliating and forever indoctrinating me into the stage-fright category.
Luckily, after three tables stay comfortably seated during their introductions, a rush of relief washes over me at the chance to avoid the spotlight altogether.
The rush comes to an abrupt halt when he reaches our table.
“And bringing the largest group of qualified athletes this year, Glendale High School.” He gestures a hand toward our table, the crowd cheers, and our table roars with pride.
And then, because I’m certain the universe is out to get me…Malcolm stands.
Hestandsand waves at the room, running his other hand down his chest and torso like some stately regency man. He may as well be smoothing out his buttoned tailcoat and adjusting his top hat right now. All eyes are on us as this man, whose broad shoulders and thick chest make him look more intimidating than most of the college coaches standing on stage. He waves kindly, pivots, and waves again. Andthen,he holds his hand out for me…To what? Take?Please no.
The clapping gets louder. Expectant.
Claire elbows me in the ribs. “Stand up already,” she whispers through the corner of her mouth, eyes wide as she motions for me with a head tilt.
