"That's what you've been doing!"
"Because that's what we're supposed to do! That's whatadultsdo!"
"Well maybe adults should talk about it! Acknowledge it! Maybe we shouldn't just—"
I scrub a hand over my face, frustration boiling over.
Fuck.Maybe she's right.
That's exactly what my parents did. Sweep everything under the carpet, pretend everything is sunshine and seashells.
Is that what I should be doing too?
I take a deep breath, trying to stop myself from saying something I don't mean.
"Look, I just don't think acting like it meant nothing is the answer."
Josie's lips part. Her eyes are suddenly wide.
"But itdidmean nothing," she says. "It was one night, Declan. You were a stranger in a bar. That's it. That's all it was supposed to be."
"Then why does it feel like you're running from it?"
"Because I am!" She steps closer. We're inches apart, her face tilted up to mine. "Because if I stop and think about it, if I let myselffeelany of it, I won't be able to do my job. And this job—" Her voice cracks. "This job is all I have."
I open my mouth to respond, to say something, anything, that will bridge this impossible gap between us.
But then her gaze drops to my mouth.
And I forget everything I was going to say.
Just kiss her. Kiss her and shut her the fuck up.
But just as I go to lean in, the door bursts open and we spring apart like we've been electrocuted.
"Josie!The community event is ready!"
Rose Pearson, Coach's daughter and the team's unofficial events coordinator, bursts into the room, beaming at us like she didn't just interrupt something.
She looks at us, eyes darting.
"Um, sorry. Josie, darling, the setup at The Yard is complete. The school kids are arriving in two hours!"
Josie's professional mask slams back into place so fast I get whiplash.
"Great. Thank you, Rose. I'll be right there."
Rose nods, oblivious, and disappears back the way she came.
Josie takes a step back, smoothing down her blazer. Her hands are shaking and her face is still flushed.
"I need to go. The community event," she says, once again, like nothing ever happened. "We've got a pickup game at the Yard. The whole town's invited."
I sigh, trying to release the tension in my muscles. "Another one of your grand ideas?"
"Exactly." She steps closer, close enough that I can smell her perfume again. "And as the first to know about it, I now know the star player will be there. Front and center, andon time.Smiling for the cameras."
"I don't smile."
