Page 30 of Catch
“I think you’re perfect just the way you are,” she said.
She squeezed my arm twice which was probably innocuous, but I tensed as I waited for that third squeeze. It never came. She dropped her hand but didn’t move out of my space. I looked aroundto see if anyone else witnessed her flirting through the glass wall. We were still alone. My shoulders dropped in relief. “It’s been fun, but I need to get back. We have our first away game and we have so much to cover.”
“I know. Grayson’s pretty excited about it.”
His name on her lips splashed over me like cold water and I took a step back and almost fell over the chair again. “I should probably find Champ.”
Her hand was back on my arm. “Listen, Sutton. I know things were bad between us years ago and I’m to blame for that, but we’re going to be sharing so much space in the future. Can we try to get along? You were always so important to me.” There was warmth in her voice that suggested more than a friendship. How she could stand in front of me with our history swirling in the space between us and flirt was confusing. She was married to one of my players. I was dumbfounded. “For whatever reason, we are back in each other’s lives. I know Grayson thinks so highly of you and your coaching abilities,” she said.
I stared at her. It had been fifteen years. Why was this so hard for me? “I have peace in my life, Parker.”
She waved her hands at me. “And I’m not here to disrupt it. I genuinely miss you in my life. Coffee the other day was great and I’d really like for us to be friends. Do you think we can do that?”
Before I could answer, Brad busted into the room. “Hey, you ready?” His eyes darted between us until they lit up with recognition. “Hey, you’re Grayson Moats’s wife. I’m Brad, you know me as Champ.”
Even though he was sweaty and smelled like wet carpet, Parker shook his hand and gave him the warmest smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Brad. I’m Parker.”
“It’s an honor. I think your husband is great and I’m so glad he’s on the team.”
“I’m glad he’s a Cheetah, too. You look like you love your job,” she said.
I had to agree. Brad didn’t skimp on energy while in the suit.
“Those who can’t either coach or become giant, hairy animals who run around football fields.” He grabbed his bag and looked at me expectantly.
“I guess we’re out of here.” I looked at Parker. “We’ll talk soon.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Sutton.” Her voice was low and laced with promise.
It took everything to not turn around and look back at her. When Ruby stopped me in the doorway of the school to ask me out, I immediately looked for Parker, but she was already gone. Ruby was nice, pretty, into me, and available. Even though my breakup was new, maybe in a few weeks or months, I might be ready to date again. I handed her my phone to add her contact information. She didn’t send herself a text from my phone. She was leaving it in my hands and my respect for her grew.
Chapter Thirteen—First Kiss
Past
My final track meet was postponed so this was my first free weekend. I didn’t hesitate. I found Parker in between classes.
“Are you cheering this weekend? Do you have any plans?”
Parker leaned against her locker and held her chemistry book against her chest. “Nope. Nothing.” She lowered her gaze and then looked up at me. She bit her bottom lip and right then I knew for sure she was into me. I always suspected, but she had been spending a lot of time with Harrison, one of our offensive linemen. But even in our group, she always gravitated toward me.
“Would you like to go out with me Saturday night?”
Parker looked around to see if anyone overheard. “Sure. What did you have in mind?”
My heartbeat was so loud that I barely heard her question. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Working up the nerve to even ask her was the only thing on my mind. “Uh, I’ll come up with something.” Thankfully, the first bell rang. “Talk to you later.” I shoved off her locker and scrambled to my next class with my heart full of excitement and possibility.
I wanted to do more than just take Parker out for burgers and a movie, but I was severely limited financially and creatively. I’d never been on a date before, nor tasked with the responsibility of planning one. I decided on a picnic at the lake and asked my dadto whip up some of his chicken salad with grapes and walnuts. Just in case she had food allergies, I packed fruit and cut up some vegetables. By the time I was ready to go, the basket weighed a solid ten pounds.
“Are you secretly moving out and not telling me?” Dad asked.
I wanted to scowl at him, but I was too excited to play the disgruntled teenager and smiled at him instead. “Nope. Just trying to make a good first impression.”
He slung the dishtowel over his shoulder and leaned against the counter. The ribbing had only just begun. “So, this is the girl who’s been occupying your head for the last several months. What’s her name again? Patty?”
I gave him the obligatory eye roll. “Parker, Dad. And you’ve met her a thousand times. She’s a cheerleader and new to the school.” He gave me a blank stare.
“I’ve seen all the cheerleaders and they’re all blondes. Which one is she?”
