Page 14 of The Chemistry Coach
A smoothie shop stood across the empty parking lot, doors open, massive green umbrellas covering the roped off outdoor seating.A dispensary, an abandoned Italian restaurant, a consignment store, and a convenience store also lined the lot.
His linemates looked as confused as he felt.Hazy glanced about the parking lot with his hands in his pockets, rocking on the balls of his feet.Connor gave Daisy a pointed look.
“I assume we aren’t here to buy weed?”
He meant it as a lighthearted comment—a joke.It came out sounding like an accusation.He mentally kicked himself.
She frowned at him.
“Not today, although it isn’t the worst idea considering what I have planned for later.”She headed toward the smoothie shop, leaving the group to follow her.
Lover shot Connor a disapproving frown, hurrying after Daisy.“Fine.No pot.Whatarewe doing?”
Daisy led them into the smoothie shop.The lady behind the counter didn’t bother greeting them.They sat at a chartreuse table while Daisy explained her plan.
“Mostly, I wanted a smoothie.But it’s also where I’ll wait while you take turns on your first assignment.You saw the convenience store across the parking lot?”
They nodded, and Daisy said, “Good.You’re going to go pick out three snacks.One for yourself, and one for each of your linemates.”
Lover grinned and bounced with excitement.“Ooo, do we have to eat whatever is chosen for us?”
Daisy laughed, and Connor’s heart skipped a beat.He wanted to make her laugh.
“No, this isn’t some gross food challenge.Your goal is to see how well you know each other.It’s not to pick the spiciest snack in the store to melt Beanie’s tongue off.”
An uncontrollable grin spread across Connor’s face.“So I’m Beanie now, huh?”
Color crept into her face.“I can’t call you all Connor.That’s going to get confusing.”
Lover said, “Oh, that’s fine, you can call me Lover.That’s what all the guys call me.”
Daisy glared at him like an annoyed older sister.“You’re twenty-one years old.Literally nobody should be calling you Lover.That’s a creepy nickname that encourages fans to sexualize you.You can be Connor.Or Valentine.”
It had never occurred to Connor that Lover’s nickname was inappropriate.In the locker room the play on his last name started as a joke but stuck.Lover had a habit of meddling in everyone else’s love lives.He could see how, to an outsider, it might seem creepy.Lover rolled his eyes.
“Fine.Valentine it is.”
Daisy raised an eyebrow at Hazy.
“Hazy is fine.”
She nodded.“Good.Now that’s settled, who wants to shop first?”
She didn’t bother to ask him his preferred name.
Hazy stood.“I’ll go,” he said.“This’ll be easy.”
When he was out the door, Daisy also stood.“Want anything?”Both men declined.“Don’t talk about the snacks while I’m gone.That’s cheating.”
Hazy came back with a full plastic bag before her drink was ready.Lover went next and headed out the door as Daisy settled into her seat.
“Soooo,” Hazy fell into the chair next to her.He waved around his bag of junk food.“Am I supposed to show what I chose, or…?”
Daisy shook her head.“Not until we’re at the next stop.”
Hazy pulled out a pack of gum, unwrapped the package, and offered Daisy and Connor a piece before popping one into his mouth and saying, “You said you’re a fan?”
She groaned and rubbed her hand down her face.“We already talked about that.”
