Page 36 of Zone
“I’m sure she’ll have something to say.” I lift my chin, looking right into the camera and hoping she’s watching. “Bring it on, QP.”
“Woo hoo!” the reporter replies. “That’s what I call a challenge.”
Smiling, I give her a wink. “Yes, it is.”
I’m ready to stop texting and bring us face to face again.
As if on cue, TMI has a hot take locked and loaded under the headline, “K-BRAD RECALCULATING!!!”
I scan further to read her words.Recalculating: When third and manageable turns into third and what the hell is he doing?
Time to let her know.
CHAPTER 10
Melody
“You’re making him better.” Lindsey is at the door in her black satin miniskirt and sequined black and gold top. “You should come out and celebrate. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be there.”
“I’m good.” The last thing I want is to run into him tonight.
My stomach is churning and my chest is tight. I keep seeing his sapphire eyes, holding mine through the screen.Bring it on, QP.
He said to keep doing what I’m doing. He’s reading what I write and learning from it, and it’s getting harder to continue calling him on his mistakes. He’s working so hard, and I know his passion for the game is real.
Still the fans demand it, and I have to give them what they want. If only I knew how to turn off my feelings when I do it. Clearly, I could never be a coach. I’m way too much of a softie.
I’mnice. God, I hate that word.
“Leave some ice cream for me.” Lindsey steps forward to kiss the top of my head before heading out the door.
“Be safe tonight. If you get into trouble, call me, and I’ll come pick you up.”
“I won’t!” She waves, and I lean my head against the windowpane as I watch her trot down the sidewalk in the direction of St. Charles Avenue.
My eyes drift to the sky, and I notice thick, black clouds rolling in. Walking back to the living room, I curl up on the sofa, tucking my feet under my butt as I watch the highlight reels on my phone.
Knox is so good-looking. He really is getting better with every game, and it’s not just because of me. It’s because of his own natural talent.
He’s like a young horse, energetic and unpredictable, but it doesn’t mean he’s bad. He’s simply learning to focus, to be disciplined. I want to rub his neck, thread my fingers through his mane, kiss his velvet nose…
What the hell am I talking about?
A loud banging on the door makes me jump and squeal at the same time my phone lights up with a text.
I glance at the screen as I walk to the front door.
Chet
Long time no chat. We need to fix that. I think you and I might be a winning combination.
My brow furrows. What the hell ishetalking about?
Instead of answering, I pocket my phone and look through the peephole. “Who is it?”
“Knox.”
My heart jumps to my throat, and I step back. I look down at what I’m wearing. I wasn’t expecting to see anyonetonight, and I’m dressed in black leggings and a long-sleeved cardigan over a spaghetti-strap tank.
