Page 25 of The Chemistry Coach
“Why can’t we go?”
Connor was relieved Sarah had prepped him for this question.“Your mom told me you met Daisy, right?”
Dylan’s melancholy left the room at the mention of Daisy.He grinned and kicked his feet.“Yes!I like her.She’s pretty.”
“She is pretty.And she’s helping my team with some stuff.It’s important, and she needs me this weekend.”
Dylan slid off Connor’s lap and led the way to the living room, where Sarah handed them each a controller, and they sat side by side on the couch, feet resting on the coffee table.
“Good.She likes you.She said you’re her favorite Connor.”
Connor almost choked on his surprise.“I doubt she said that.”
Sarah laughed.“Well, she didn’t say those exact words.But yeah.She likes you.”
“You two are delusional.”
“No,” Dylan insisted, “she said you’re the real Connor.”Dylan slapped a hand over his mouth.“Ah crap.But she said not to tell you!”
“Language!”Sarah and Connor reminded him in unison.
Connor would never admit it, but the conversation he had with Sarah and Dylan about Daisy threw him off kilter.
Never in his life had he stressed about what to wear.Packing for his overnight trip was agonizing.He wanted to seem relaxed, but not like a slob.And not like he was trying too hard.And he wanted toactuallynot try too hard.But he second-guessed every single item.
For about thirty seconds he debated calling Hazy and Lover.They were young.They did the whole going out and hooking up thing.But if he gave them any indication of his interest in Daisy, they’d run with it.They were already running with it, and all he’d done was speak two words to her.He could figure it out himself.Maybe.
After two hours of staring into his closet, he gave in and called Casey and Evan.
He propped his phone on his dresser to see them on FaceTime while he packed.
Casey held his toddler in one arm, pulling his phone out of her reach every few seconds.
“Connor, hey!How’s it going?”
Warmth filled Connor at the sight.“I wouldn’t say it’s great, but you guys are on fire!Here, let me add Evan.”
“Oh, no need,” Casey said.“He’s right here.”
Casey pulled Evan into the frame, and Evan waved.“Hey man, what’s up?”
Connor’s heart hurt at the sight of them together.He rubbed his chest, trying to soothe the ache.How much was he missing by staying here?Casey’s kids were growing like weeds.Evan was engaged.Being separated was inevitable, but the reality was worse than he’d ever imagined.
He worked to clear the lump in his throat.“I have fifteen minutes before I have to leave, and I waited too long and now I’m panicking.I’m going on a weekend trip to a cabin in the woods.But we might also go out.I don’t know the details.What do I pack?”
“Bro, that’s easy.Pack what you would pack for an away game.It’s everything you could need.”Evan always chose the simplest solution.Connor followed the advice by shoving his toiletries and a pair of jeans into his bag.
“Wait,” Casey said.“Are you taking a woman on a weekend trip?When did you meet a woman?”
Connor hesitated a few beats too long.Hewasgoing on a trip with Daisy.But it was a work thing.But she was still a woman.Who he was interested in.How much should he tell them?He wished he could transfer the whole situation into their brains so they could tell him what to do.
On his phone screen Evan started shaking Casey’s shoulders and jumping up and down.
“Ayyy, our boy met a woman!”To Connor he asked, “How’d you meet her?Is she hot?”
“Her name is Daisy, but this isn’t a romantic getaway.It’s a work thing.”
Connor’s phone timer interrupted their call, warning him he had ten minutes before Daisy picked him up.He needed to get them back on track.
