He appeared to study her for a moment. “Well, now.” His voice was soft. “This is pleasant.”
Through his dark lashes, his soft chocolate eyes were warm. His smile was crooked, but it held no taunt this time. Maya’s heart was pounding so loud it was a wonder to her that Sam couldn’t hear it. She let her eyes wander to his full, soft lips. What would they feel like?
He leaned closer to her, his gaze shifting to her mouth. Her body took over and she leaned closer to him. She could almost feel his lips on hers...
“Hey! Coach Hutcherson!” A young boy’s voice called out from nearby. Maya sprang away from Sam as he closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.
Three young teen boys approached from a few rows in front of them. Sam turned to the boys with exaggerated patience and forced enthusiasm. “Hey, guys. How’s it going?”
“Great.” One of the boys glanced at Maya, then back at Sam. “How about you?”
“I was better about ten seconds ago.” He squinted up at them into the setting sun.
Blank faces greeted Sam and he groaned only loud enough for Maya to hear before he turned to her. He addressed Maya, apology written all over his face. “Maya, these are the youngest of the goalkeepers I coach over the summer. Boys, this is Maya.”
The tallest of them elbowed the boy next to him, his face flushed and covered in a ridiculous grin. The boy he elbowed then elbowed the boy with glasses standing next to him. The three boys snickered, and Sam looked mortified. Maya bit her lip to keep from laughing.
“I know!”
“Shh. She’s sitting right there.”
“Totally hot. Coach is one lucky bas—”
“Boys!” Sam finally spoke. The sniggering continued. “Anand. Manners!”
“What, Coach?”
Sam opened his mouth to respond, but shook his head instead. “Who’s here with you?”
The boy named Anand spoke up. “Coach Mike brought us. He’s over there.” He waved absently in the direction of the stage, stealing another glance at Maya.
Sam looked over their shoulders. “He’s looking for you.” The boys turned, and sure enough, their coach was summoning them back to their seats.
Grumbling and goodbyes ensued as they returned to their area. “Total hottie, Coach!” The tall one called over his shoulder.
Sam closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose before turning to Maya. “That—” he sighed the sigh of a parent “—is part of my soccer team.”
“Charming.” She burst out laughing. “Adorable.” The boys clearly idolized Sam, just like his cousins.
“What? Them?” He shook his head in disbelief.
“No,” Maya said. “You with them.” She shrugged and tilted her head. “You’re good with kids.”
“Yeah, probably because they’re not mine!” Sam chuckled. “I do private goalie sessions with them,” he explained. “Mike is the assistant coach, but he’ll start med school in the fall, so someone else will have to take over. They’ll miss him.” He paused. “In fact, this will be my last year coaching them for a while, too. I won’t be coming home.”
“Law school beckons.” Maya nodded. Of course.
“Yeah.” Sam pulled at the grass and seemed to get lost for a moment.
“What? Law school not everything it’s made out to be?” Maya brought her knees in and leaned on them.
“Huh? Oh no.” He stopped pulling at the grass and came back to earth. “Columbia is great. Law school is actually fantastic.” He didn’t seem able to meet her eye.
He’d had no problem telling her about his brother, but something was holding him back today. Maybe encouragement. “But...”
He sighed and opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but remained silent. Maya waited as his eyes grew dark under a furrowed brow. Sam clenched his jaw as he searched her face. Maya wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but she had never seen him like this before, and what passed and didn’t pass between them was more intimate than if he had kissed her right then.
When he finally spoke, his voice came slow and heavy. “Big plans have been made for me, Maya.” Instinctively, she remained silent. With closed eyes, he tapped the pocket of his shorts and shook his head. When he opened them again, his face relaxed, and the warmth was back in his eyes. “Not tonight.” He took her hand. “There’s a time to talk about that, but not tonight.”
