Page 12 of The Interception
Chapter Six
Ender
Feelings…I hate them. AndI definitely got them while carrying Layne to the team doctor’s office. Not big feelings, obviously. We just met and our partnership did not start off on the right foot. Carrying a woman like Layne is bound to make any guy get a little…what’s the word? I don’t know what to call the feeling, but I know I’m in trouble if we have to work closely together for the next couple of weeks. I need adult supervision whenever I’m around her, no question.
Practice is finishing up when I return to the field. The guys are all headed to the locker rooms, ready to shower and get home to their own families, wives, girlfriends, or whatever occupies them when we’re not at work. None of them will want to stay around to supervise me while I test recipes with a completely gorgeous woman who, against my better judgment, elicitsfeelingsI can’t yet define. Who can I call to ensure I don’t let Layne lure me into more of them?
Sarah Beth. I’ll message my sister and ask her to come by, taste-test the food, pretend she’s doing us a favor when inreality, she’s making sure I don’t make a fool of myself. I yank my phone from my bag and hammer out a message.
I need help. My cook-off partner is here. We’re supposed to use the kitchen in the stadium to test some things, but I for sure need supervision with her around.
While waiting for her reply, I drag my things back up to the building and head for the locker room. I need to shower. Fortunately, I didn’t have time to get too sweaty and gross before Layne showed up, but I still smell a little awful. My phone vibrates in my hand, bringing my attention back to the crisis at hand. With a quick glance, I realize I’m going to have to talk my sister into this.
Sarah Beth
I think you should be focused on the competition and not a woman right now.
I’m trying to, hence my plea for you to join us.
Please, please let my sister show up to supervise me. Without her present, I might say or do things, like staring into the abyss that is Layne’s eyes, that I most certainly should not do.
Sarah Beth
I think you can be a big boy without your sister there.
I’m in the process of explaining why that is more difficult than one would expect when another message comes through.
Sarah Beth
Wait, I searched her social pages. She’s gorgeous. You absolutely cannot be left alone with her. I’m on my way.
Yeah, that’s what I thought. Thanks, big sis.
If anyone knows about my failures with dating, it’s my sister. I tend to fall for the wrong women, get hurt, and end up with my bleeding heart in my hands. What Sarah Beth doesn’t know is that guilt eats me up when I think about dating while she’s grieving. She would be supportive if it’s what I really wanted, but the last thing I need right now is a broken heart.
At least with Sarah Beth present, I won’t do things that will make Layne think I’m flirting with her or romantically interested in her. Which I am not.
Except Isoam. She showed herself to be a sweet, funny person last night. Also forgiving and, if I’m frank, a little too hard on herself. I’m sure I didn’t help that with my behavior. Once the apologies were made, our conversation on the back porch was nice. Unlike anything I’ve had with a woman in a long time, maybe ever.
None of that matters though. She’s my cook-off partner, probably already taken, and there are more important things to focus on than her pretty face. And her sparkling personality. And what are probably killer skills in a kitchen.
I shove my way through the doors and into the locker room before I have to pretend to be the big boy my sister claims I am. Perhaps I’ll get lucky and Layne will do something so gross, I can’t help but gag when I think about her. Not likely. Frankly, even if she does, I’m pretty sure thisfeelingwill remain. That undefinable, fluttery feeling in my chest that makes me want to carry the woman everywhere, if only so I can figure out what it means.
The locker room is bustling, but everyone is in a hurry to get out and relax. Coach has been drilling us hard lately, trying to prove to Quade Dawson that we deserve to exist as a team. He’s not wrong for pushing, but it’s hard on a body. I drop my stuffand head to the showers when my phone vibrates again. I grab it off the bench and find another message from my sister.
Sarah Beth
Sorry, En. I can’t make it. Lula has a tummy ache, and I’m afraid if we leave the house explosive things will happen. Besides, you have the truck. I’d have to call a car, and I hate doing that with her. Forgive me?
Drat. I’m going to have to be a big boy. I don’t want her to drag little Lula all the way here if she isn’t feeling well.
Of course. It’s fine, SB. No worries. I’ll do my best to behave like a mature, responsible adult man.
Sarah Beth
Um, good luck with that. Whatever you do just…don’t look at her. Don’t get too close to her. Just be polite but professional. Love you.
Yeah, that’s the plan. Love you too. Give Lula snuggles for me.
