Page 18 of Between the Boards
The realization sits heavy in my chest, because as her friend and her teammate, I should be paying more attention.
Next time, I won’t miss it. Next time, I’ll be right there by her side because I want to understand why she feels like she doesn’t belong, when I can’t think of anyone better than Kairi to have a place in this sport.
“Anyway,” she says, her tone lifting as she forces a smile, “I think we got a little off track. I doubt Brandon Dingalo and I will be having deep conversations like this on our first date.”
I flex my hands under the table, trying to shake off the tension I feel.
“Probably not,” I say, forcing a grin. “And I wouldn’t recommend it. Not until you know he’s worth knowing those things about you.”
She nods. “Yeah. You’re right.”
“What do you think of the food?” I ask, noticing she’s halfway done while mine’s barely been touched.
“It’s so good,” she says, lighting up as she takes another bite. “Pasta is my favourite.”
“I know.”
The words slip out before I can stop them and her fork pauses midair as her eyes lift to mine. I feel heat creep up the back of my neck and I clear my throat, looking away.
“Anyway,” I say. “You’re doing fine. Conversation-wise, I mean. I can’t imagine tomorrow being much different from this.”
“You think so?” She asks softly. “I think I’m only good at it because it’s with you. I can talk to you about anything.”
Something in my chest shifts, but I ignore it
“Only one way to find out,” I say, throwing her a wink.
“Oh my gosh,”Kairi groans beside me, clutching her stomach. “I haven’t been this full in ages. What was I thinking?”
I chuckle, keeping my eyes on the road as I turn back toward Saltwater Springs.
“Lesson two,” I say. “Don’t eat past your limit on a date. No one’s judging you for taking food to-go—but theywillnotice if you look like you’re about to die in their passenger seat.”
She groans again, sliding her seat back until she’s basically lying down.
“I don’t know if I need a walk or a nap.”
I bite back a smile. “What about thirty minutes on the treadmill when we get home?”
She considers it for a second, then shakes her head. “Absolutely not. I’m choosing sleep.”
“Fair enough,” I chuckle. “But if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
She gives me a lazy salute, eyes already closed, and spends the rest of the drive curled in her seat.
“We’re home,” I say thirty minutes later as I cut the engine.
When there’s no response, I glance over and see that she’s asleep. Her face is relaxed, lips slightly parted, every bit of tension gone. She looks…so peaceful. More than I’ve ever seen her look, and I wish she looked like this more often.
I reach over and nudge her shoulder. “Kairi.”
She groans, swatting at me as she tries to turn onto her side, only to be stopped by the seatbelt.
I sigh and climb out of the car, walking around to her side and opening the door.
“I hope you know, I am definitely going to lecture you about falling asleep on a date,” I murmur as I unbuckle her seatbelt. “What if he’s a creep and tries something?”
She answers with a snore and I roll my eyes as I lift her into my arms, noticing how she fits there too easily, like she’s meant to. I kick the truck door shut behind me and walk up the driveway to the house.
