Page 10 of Off the Pitch

I laughed because that was such a typically David thing to say. Academic things had always come so naturally to him. “I don’t think I know eighty thousand words.”

“Me neither. I just write as many filler words as possible.Thereforeis such a useful term.”

“Tell me more about it?” I asked tentatively. There was a beat of silence, as if David was wondering if I really wanted to know, but then he was off, launching into an explanation that became more enthusiastic with every word he said. His passion for the subject was obvious and infectious too. David exuded charisma, drawing me in with every syllable, but nothing he said made me feel stupid. Instead, he explained everything so simply that I couldn’t help but be interested and excited for him. I could have listened to him speak for hours.

“Sorry,” he said, breaking off when I shivered slightly in the cool night air, a little blush tinting his cheeks. “I’m so fucking boring. You should have stopped me.”

“You’re not boring at all,” I said. “It’s just a little chilly out here.”

“I’d forgotten how terrible you are with the cold. I’m guessing German winters didn’t toughen you up?”

“Nope. My teammates used to tease me about how bad I was with the cold. They’d be in t-shirts, and I’d be in three layers.”

David laughed, the sound bubbling out of him and warming me from the inside out.

“If I’d have known, I’d have gotten mum to make you a jumper.”

“I’d have loved that! I can’t believe you deprived me of a Julia jumper.”

“I mean, if you want one that badly, I’m sure she’ll do you one now,” he said.

There was an opening there, a chance for us to be friends again. Even if that was all we could ever be. I wanted to take it so badly it hurt.

“Maybe I do,” I said, my mouth drying up. Was I supposed to ask for his number?

“You should give me your number,” David said, a little blush tinting his stubbled jaw. “Just in case you want one.”

“That… that sounds great.” I licked my lips, summoning up some boldness from deep inside me. “Maybe we could meet up some time? Grab coffee? Catch up?”

David nodded his head slowly, as if mulling it over. For a moment, I was sure he’d say no. Maybe getting coffee with your ex-boyfriend wasn’t something you did? It wasn’t like I’d know, since I’d never had another relationship after David.

“I’d like that,” he said. “That sounds fun.”

I smiled, trying to play it cool the way that Jordan had tried to teach me a million times, but inside I was dancing.

Chapter Six

ENGLAND 1 GEORGIA 0

England’s New Stars Land Away Victory

The Times

Christian

David[Sent a picture] This is the cutest shit I’ve ever seen

DavidHe’s got a teeny tiny raincoat

ChristianI needed one of those today. I got soaked in training

DavidAm I allowed to be smug about being in a toasty office all day?

ChristianNo

DavidToo bad. I am =P

I looked again at the photo of the miniature dachshund in its yellow raincoat, a little smile on my face, as I climbed into my car after a long day of training.

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