Page 64 of Sidelined By Love

I’m still huffing and puffing when my phone rings and I answer it without even checking to see who’s called. “Hel-lo.”

“Zo? You okay?”

Grant.

Fine now. A smile spreads, warming me from deep inside.

“Yeah. Just out walking Bronco.”

“Bronco really giving you a workout today?” He doesn’t even pretend to hold back his laugh.

“There was this woman, and she thought I was going to let Bronco poop in her yard. Then she started chasing me with her phone. And Bronco wouldn’t move. And I had to pick him up. And . . .”

I can’t believe I got all of that out in one breath. Because now my lungs feel like they’re completely deflated.

“Never mind,” I finish after along breath.

“You’re okay now? Don’t need me to send the police to do a well check or anything?”

“No! No police. I’ve already gotten that threat today.”

His laugh continues deep and long, like it’s coming from low in his belly. “Tell me about it tonight?”

“Fine.” I don’t have another option. He’ll goad me until I give him all the details. “Tonight, huh?”

“Yeah. I thought maybe I could take you out. Kenna is staying at a friend’s for the weekend. One of the girls from drama club.”

The hair on the back of my neck stands up, and I glance over my shoulder to make sure that woman hasn’t followed me. No sign of her. Which means my concern has everything to do with going out with Grant in public again.

Before I can tell him that, he keeps going. “We’ll keep it low-key. I’ve already reserved a private room at my favorite restaurant.”

“You sound pretty confident there.”

“I have a road game Sunday night. We fly out tomorrow, and I won’t be back until Monday. I figured you’d want to see me before I was gone for so long.”

“Why would you think that?” Though my brain is already conjuring memories of being in his arms. And I have to bite my tongue to keep from admitting that I had checked his schedule and was already missing him.

“Was I wrong?” I can practically see the smug glimmer in his eye.

Though the guy has a point.

“Red, get in here! The meeting can’t start without you.” That sounds a lot like Ja’maar’s voice echoing down the hallway at the facility.

“I gotta run. I’ll pick you up at your grandma’s at seven.”

By the time he hangs up, I’ve all-but forgiven Bronco for his bad behavior and fully moved on to daydreams of what I’ll wear on a real date with the Teeners’ QB1. I’m so lost in thought that I almost miss another chime from my phone.

I answer before checking the screen for the second time today. “Can’t wait until tonight?”

“Tonight, eh?” The husky voice on the other end of the line is definitely not Grant. “Big plans in the Rockies? You are still in Colorado, yes?”

“Cyndi?”

“Of course, doll face. Who else would be calling you from LA?”

That’s supposed to be a joke, but the truth in it hits a lot harder than I’d like to admit. Especially since I’ve been waiting for a call back from Knight.

My stomach drops to the cement sidewalk, my breath catching as I stumble to a stop. Bronco tugs on his end of the leash for once, but I’ve completely lost the ability to move.

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