Page 69 of Playing to Win
Chapter 22
“That was the most romantic thing I have ever heard!” Cassie, Aria, and Callie were sitting on the couch in Callie and Cassie’s living room, getting ready to watch the replay of Kyle’s speech on Sports Center. After spending the afternoon with his family, Callie had opted out of the evening’s festivities, letting Kyle spend the evening with them before they all returned to North Carolina on an early flight the next morning.
“I felt like the entire room was going to train their cameras on me and demand I respond to his heartfelt speech,” Callie said, her head between her hands. “I can’t believe he did that!”
“Girl, I don’t know what your problem is, but that man obviously has it bad for you. If you don’t take him off the market right now, I’m going to try to charm him away with my womanly seduction,” Cassie said.
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Okay, there’s no way I would do that to you, but come on, Cal! See the handwriting on the wall, girl! He is nothing like Matt! You’re an idiot if you don’t believe that!”
“Shhh! Quit arguing, you two! It’s coming on!” Aria shushed them, leaning up from her perch in the middle of the couch, putting her elbows on her knees in anticipation.
“Well, an interesting and heartfelt speech from NBA’s MVP Kyle Kelly of the Oklahoma City Thunder today,” the sports announcer said. “The basketball superstar began by thanking the voters and giving his car away to a single mom with a kid who has cancer, before honoring his religion. He then went on to thank the usual family, coaches, and teammates, all very sincere and touching. Many in the room were holding back tears as Kelly had to stop several times as he was overcome with emotion. If that weren’t enough to solidify his status as one of the good guys, his romantic gesture after that winning speech had all women in America swooning.”
Callie groaned and covered her face with her favorite Oklahoma pillow. “Can I just crawl under a rock and never come out?!”
“Kyle gave a nod to a mystery girl at the end of his speech, touting how amazing she is, even though she didn’t even like him when they first met. It is quite obvious Mr. Kelly is smitten. Sorry, ladies, it appears that the NBA’s most eligible bachelor is off the market.”
“Oh, that is so epic! What a story you’ll have to tell your kids! He should totally propose to you on ESPN!”
“Nobody is proposing anything, Cassie! Jeez, girl! Who are you and what happened to my sensible prelaw roommate?”
“She is living vicariously through the amazing love life of yours since hers in nonexistent. And taking a break from studying while reveling in the thrill of all the romantic excitement!”
Callie rolled her eyes. When would the madness stop? Cassie looked at her, the picture of seriousness on her face. “Really, Cal. Think about it. He’s one of the good ones. Look deep in your heart and trust what it’s telling you.”
“Callie, I know I am hardly ever serious, but for real, girl. He loves you. It’s obvious every time he looks at you.” Aria patted Callie on the back. “Just remember, you can break his heart just as easily as he can break yours.”
Callie let out a breath. She knew her friends were right. And that’s what scared her the most. She had already fallen for one athlete and he had shattered her heart into pieces. If Kyle did the same thing she knew she would never recover. Because as much as she had tried to fight it, as much as she tried to deny it, the inevitable had happened. She had fallen head over heels in love with him. Damn him and those big dimples. They had her at the H in Horse.
