Page 25 of Sidelined By Love

Maybe it’s my imagination, but I swear I can almost hear the scrape of his fingernails against his five-o’clock shadow. Which should be a nonissue. Except that it makes my insides do a jig all on their own.

Not cool, stomach.Not cool at all.

Despite his unsolicited effects on my internal organs, I can’t keep my smile at bay. “I’m going to get a meeting with the director.”

His smile appears in an instant. “Of the Cortez movie?”

I nod. “He’s agreed to meet with me.”

“Wow. When?”

“I’m not sure. It could be anytime.”

A muscle in his jaw jumps. “And you still want to impress him?”

I don’t care for the skepticism in his tone. “Sure.”

“We may have to up our training sessions.”

“You mean, meet more often?” I wave my hand under my blanket. “Of course that’s what you mean. But can you . . . fit that into your schedule?”

He looks down at the freeloader tucked into his side and stares into the brown eyes nearly popping out of its head. Finally, he nods. “I think I can make it work. We have a bye week coming up, so after Sunday, I have seven days off.”

Some of the guys on the team travel during their bye or hang out with family, but I have a sudden vision of Grant spending a whole week by himself. “You’re not going out of town or doing something special to relax?”

“Nah. Kenna still has school.” He lifts Rico up. “And these guys aren’t going to walk themselves.”

Right. Makes perfect sense. But I still hate the idea of Grant spending the weekdays mostly by himself. Although, if I’m there, I guess he won’t really be alone.

According to Caro, I am pretty great company—and I don’t mind saying I agree with her. .

“That would be great. Really.” Then I remember that he’s doing me a favor. “I appreciate it. Maybe I can spend some extra time with Kenna, too.”

He nods quickly. “So, how’d it go with her the other evening?”

“Oh, she’s great. It was fun.” And I’m not lying. The kid has some skills. They may be a little raw, but so were mine at her age. “She’s going to do great with a little more practice.”

Rico barks, and Grant shifts him to the other arm but doesn’t make a move to continue his run. “You’re not just saying that because I’m helping you?”

“Not at all. She’s better at acting than I am at football.”

His lips twitch, clearly trying to fight off a smile. And failing. “I’m not sure that’s the ringing endorsement you think it is.”

I slug his arm playfully, getting a little yip from Rico for my trouble. Jerking my hand back to save my fingers, I give the dog a stink eye. Then I eye his walker. “You were supposed to say I wasn’t that bad or something.”

Grant lifts a shoulder, tilting his head in that same direction. “My mom taught me not to lie.”

Nine

Zoe

Despite Grant’s ribbing about my lack of skills, I drive over to his neighborhood on Monday afternoon. Through the gatehouse window, Chester smiles at me.

“Hey there, Miss Peebles. Mr. Reddington expecting you?”

I wink at my co-conspirator as he smooths his mostly white mustache. “I like to keep him on his toes.”

He chuckles and hits a button, setting off the slow and creaky opening of the community’s enormous wrought iron gate. The intricate scroll work that mimics the outline of Pikes Peak is hidden against tall hedges when it’s fully open, and I pull through with a wave at my friend.

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