Page 33 of The Perfect Steal

I’d already checked the weather today, and the high was going to be at least seventy, even though it was only fifty-five right now.

“I’ll be fine, Mom. Besides, running always makes me sweat, no matter the temperature.”

I stepped back into the kitchen, wanting to eat and get going so I could get back and shower before our appointment.

I wasn’t sure what triggered the change in her, but I hoped it stuck around for a while.

19

Brynn

The park had a large walking path around it, with the baseball and softball field inside it, along with a large playground, splash pad, and enough room for a large soccer field on the one side.

I left my phone in the car, needing some time to think as I jogged along the trail. Nate still hadn’t responded to my text, and I was starting to overthink things, going back over the past several interactions I’d had with him. A crush on Nate Everton wasn’t something I’d planned on, but there were so many layers to him that I’d noticed over the past couple of weeks, and we had so much more in common than I’d previously thought.

I passed an older couple out for a walk and waved, picking up the speed to get my legs burning.

My thoughts drifted to what was happening this week. Another week of games and homework. It was crazy how fast this year had flown, because it felt like I’d just started the season for my sophomore year.

This year was going to be better. We had a lot of veteran starters, and making it to state, and even taking it, was within our reach. We were already 2-0 for the season.

I watched a few kids kicking a soccer ball out on the field as I passed by, kicking up the pace to near sprinting. My lungs burned, but I kept swinging my arms and pushing my legs to move faster. Rounding the soccer field, I saw the baseball field where someone was running along the warning track. As I got closer, I realized it was Nate.

Maybe that was why he hadn’t responded to my text.

For a second, I thought he saw me, and I tried to duck behind the outfield bleachers, watching as he dug his cleats into the soft dirt and pushed past the chalked white foul line.I waited as he walked around, his chest heaving as much as mine from the exertion of running. Then he stepped up to the line and took off, sprinting back along the fence line.

With his back turned toward me, I hurried off, hoping he wouldn’t see me.He’d already seen me sweaty and gross the day of tryouts and then again at the old men’s basketball game. I didn’t need him to think that was my signature look.

I pushed myself around the softball field and slowed near the playgrounds, walking slowly to cool down and catch my breath. I made it over to the corner of the soccer field and turned back, heading in the direction of my car.My throat was raw and sore. I should have remembered some water before I came out here.

“Hey, Brynn,” a voice called.

I stilled, my breath catching in my chest as I recognized Nate’s voice.

“Um, hey,” I said, debating whether or not I should run the other direction and wait for him to leave. With sweat beading along my forehead and my back sticky, I was more self-conscious than normal. I stayed back several feet, knowing I didn’t smell like flowers at the moment.

I glanced around the parking lot, now spotting the green Hummer Nate drove in the back corner under a few shade trees. If only I’d seen that when I pulled in.

But then again, I’d wanted to talk to him, and here he was. I just needed to control the sudden urge of shyness to make it through this conversation.

“Looks like you’re getting a workout in too, huh?” Nate tipped back a water bottle and squirted it into his mouth, making my mouth feel like a desert.

I nodded, my tongue twisted with what I should say. “Yeah, I figured a little more running can’t hurt my basketball game.”

Nate nodded, smiling a bit. The sun shone off the scar along the side of his face, somehow only adding to his attractiveness, and I had to glance away.I was in full-blown crush mode, but I didn’t need him to see that. I was good as the suffer-in-silence type.

“I get that. Baseball is over for the season, but I like to keep training. It helps me focus on stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?” I blurted out, more than curious.

Instead of standing in place, I took a few steps in the direction of my car, and Nate fell into step with me.

“Just some things my counselor said the other day. Still thinking about being able to get out of Pecan Flatts if I apply myself more in school.”

I nodded, falling into my typical role as the listener. He had a soothing voice, and I was interested in what he would say.

“I’m surprised you want to get out of town,” I said. “I’ve wanted that for at least the last two years.”

---