While she chatters about the event and her plans to showcase the team’s latest achievements, I sign my name over and over again, ready to go home.
Soon, the room fills with T-Bone’s laugh as he goes on about his latest obsession—some model who ghosted him. It only makes my hand move faster.
I check my watch, knowing I’m running out of time. Ryder will be here any minute, so I scribble my name faster, trying to ignore the cramp in my hand.
Just as I cap my marker, Mindy orders someone to bring over a stack of T-shirts.
“These are for the kids at the hospital.” She arranges the shirts in front of me.
I check the time again and see I’m already thirty minutes late. “Ok. I have to go after this.”
Mindy takes a seat beside me, folding shirts as I sign them. I reach the bottom of the stack and stand, knowing Ryder is waiting.
I thank Mindy and grab my stuff, hurrying out the door, but as I round the doorway, she stops me.
“Hey, Cole.” I exhale, knowing I don’t have time for this.
I turn, still trying to inch my way toward the exit.
“Hey, I uh. . . ” She fidgets with her bracelets with a smile plastered to her face. “I’ll be at the event handing out the items you signed, but when I’m done. . . ”
I hear thethumpof footsteps and turn to see Ryder storming down the hallway, but her pace slows when she spots me. Ifrown, wondering how she got in, but also shit. I’m late, and I made her wait. I hate making people wait on me.
I twist back to Mindy, who’s still smiling expectantly.
She continues. “Anyway, when I’m done, I was thinking I could find you. You know, we could. . . ”
She doesn’t finish her statement as Ryder stops beside me. Her face is back to expressionless, and I don’t like it. Her eyes meet mine, but then shift to Mindy, and they stay there without wandering.
“Hey,” I say, grateful for the rescue but also concerned about the stoic vibe she’s releasing.
“You’re late.” Her body angles toward me, but her gaze remains on Mindy.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I had merch I needed to sign.”
The clink of Mindy’s bracelets reminds me she’s standing here.
“This is Mindy.” I gesture to her. “She works in Public Relations.”
Mindy’s brow furrows, probably confused about how Ryder got past security and who she is. I don’t offer information she doesn’t need.
“Super. Nice meeting you.” Ryder glances at me. “Are you done here or…”
“Yeah. I uh. . . ” I glance at Mindy, wondering if I can pretend she wasn’t about to ask me if I wanted to meet up. Again. “Thanks for helping me today. I guess we’ll see you at the event.”
Mindy’s eyes jet between Ryder and me. Her brow smooths as her smile reappears, but it’s forced.
“Oh yeah, sure. See you there. I’ll. . .have things all set.” She does a little wave, and I turn, more than ready to leave.
Ryder and I walk side-by-side, and I can feel more than see her stiffness as we make our way out of the practice facility.
“How’d you get in?” I test the waters.
“While I sat wondering if you’d been kidnapped, I made a few calls.”
Her tone is tense. All seriousness has returned.
My phone buzzes, and I slip it from my pocket.
