Page 12 of A Little Too Forward

I hesitate, watching him for a long moment. His expression is casual, but I know he’s waiting for my answer. The truth is, I don’t think he’stoococky—not anymore. He’s confident, sure, but there’s a lot more behind those eyes than he lets on.

“I don’t know,” I say slowly. “Maybe I’ve just gotten used to it.”

Max’s eyes glint with something like amusement, but there’s a warmth to his smile that takes me off guard. “Well, don’t get too used to it, Sutton. I’ve still got a lot of tricks up my sleeve.”

I can’t help the small smile that plays at my lips. “I’ll be sure to keep an eye on you. Don’t want to miss anything.”

The conversation feels like it could stretch on forever, but the clock reminds me that the third period is just about to start. I clear my throat, shifting into professional mode again. “Alright, well, thanks for your time, Max. Let’s see if your strategy holds up through the third.”

Max nods, giving me one last lingering look before he starts to head back toward the locker room. “You’ll see. Don’t worry.”

As he walks away, I take a deep breath, trying to steady the pulse that’s still racing in my chest. The game’s far from over, but somehow, I know this interview isn’t either.

CHAPTER SIX

SABRINA

I’m startled awake by the incessant buzzing of my cell. Pressing my face into my pillow, I try to ignore the annoying sound and go back to sleep. The buzzing doesn’t stop.

My body feels like it’s been hit by a freight train as I stretch blindly for the stupid device. My muscles ache from days of stress and high emotions as I twist and shimmy so that my arm can reach the bedside table.

I don’t remember setting the alarm yesterday. Why would I? It’s not like I had a job to report into today. Just as my hand slams down on the vibrating brick, it stops. Jesus, someone is calling me at what feels like the middle of the night.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I groan, my voice muffled by the fabric of the pillow. I bring my outstretched arm back to my side and roll over. Squinting an eye open, I can see there is a bit of sun peeking through my blinds but not enough to make me get out of bed.

Grabbing my blanket, I pull it up over my head and twist to my side, hoping to fall back asleep.

My phone starts to vibrate again.

The urge to cry is strong. I just want to go back to sleep and forget for a little while that as of today, my career has hit the pause button.

When my phone stops, then starts buzzing again, I know I can’t ignore it any longer. If someone is trying this hard to get in touch with me, it must be an emergency.

Propping myself up on my elbows, I crawl to the edge of the bed and grab my cell. My heart starts to race when I see my sister’s name on the screen.

“What’s wrong,” I half bark, half grumble when I answer. My voice sounds funny, still hoarse with sleep.

“What kind of greeting is that?”

“What are you talking about? Why are you calling me so early in the morning? What happened?” The words spill out of me in breathless huffs as I flip myself over into a sitting position. My arm is shaking holding the phone, so I put it on speaker. If something is wrong, I need to give Suzanne my full attention.

“Ten is early in the morning for you? That’s ridiculous, Rina.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I silently count to five. In a slow and controlled voice, I ask again, “Why are you calling me Suzie? If you don’t recall, last night was my last night reporting for theSphere, and I was out late. If this isn’t an emergency, then I’m sorry, I’m going to have to hang up and chat with you later.”

“You are so grumpy in the morning” is her only reply.

“Yeah, well, we can’t all be rays of fucking sunshine like you. I’ll talk to you later.” My finger is descending on the red button when I hear a shout from the other end.

“Wait! Rina, wait!”

Looking at the ceiling, I pray for patience.

“Are you there? Rina? Don’t you dare hang up on me!”

“I’m here,” I sigh.

“Look, I’ll get right to the point since your grumpy ass has zero patience.”

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