Page 13 of Healing Hearts
Kendall nudges me with her elbow. "Or maybe some of us are just desperate for dates," she whispers, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.
I roll my eyes, but I can't help the small flutter in my stomach. The idea of new faces, new possibilities... it's both thrilling and terrifying. I don’t want some guy to be watching me run. Hell, I run like a penguin – that’s not flattering in the slightest.
"Come on, people!" Sunni urges. "It'll be fun! Plus, think of all the fresh meat- I mean, new friends we'll make!"
“I don’t need any fresh meat. I’m getting plenty of…umsteakat home.” Kate says as we all groan at her joke. She’s in a happily committed relationship with Hudson. Mia and Riley are also taken, but the rest of us could use somemeatin our lives.
As everyone laughs and starts to chatter excitedly, I feel a familiar warmth spread through my chest. This is why I don’t tell people about Sophie Quinn. This sense of belonging, of community. If they all knew – what would they think of me? They’d probably banish me, and these friendships are something I could never get from just sitting behind a computer screen writing fictional characters in fictional worlds.
"Alright," I say, raising my hand. "Count me in."
"Hey, Brooke. Remember when you promised to let me set you up on a blind date?" Charlie asks with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
I can feel my stomach drop as I remember the promise I made months ago. I was hoping she had forgotten about that,but apparently not. I force a smile and reply, "Um...yeah, I do. Why?"
"I've found the perfect guy for you. I'm finalizing the details and it's all set. Be ready." She grins at me like a cat who’s caught a mouse, and I can't help but feel a sense of dread washing over me.
What has my friend gotten me into this time? The unknown always seems to come with unexpected surprises and I can only imagine what kind of chaos Charlie has orchestrated for me.
Chapter 6
Trevor
The crisp scent of freshly cut grass fills my lungs as I jog onto the field, the late afternoon sun warming my skin. My teammates are already gathered, their playful jabs creating a buzz of energy that's contagious.
"Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence!" Sawyer calls out, tossing the football in my direction.
I catch it easily, grinning. "Not all of us are playboy billionaires with nothing better to do. Some of us have real jobs, you know. Saving lives and all that."
"Oh, excuse us, Dr. Hotshot," Kane chimes in, rolling his eyes good-naturedly. "We mere mortals are in awe of your presence."
As I start to stretch, my witty retort dies on my lips. My gaze is immediately drawn to the adjacent field where a group of women are gathering for what looks like a kickball game. Among them, a flash of red hair catches my eye, and my heart skips a beat.
Brooke’s here. Holy shit. Brooke’s here. The captivating woman from last night at Hooplas and the woman I just made a date with for tomorrow afternoon. I’ve never met her before,but in less than twenty-four hours, I’ve seen her twice in this small town.
She's laughing, the sound carrying across the field, and I find myself mesmerized. Her curvy figure is accentuated by fitted yoga pants and a loose yellow top, her long red hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. She's a vision of carefree beauty, and I can't look away.
"Earth to Trevor!" Sawyer's voice snaps me back to reality. "Are you planning on joining us anytime soon?"
I tear my eyes away from Brooke, feeling a flush creep up my neck. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming. Keep your shirt on, Payton Manning."
As I jog over to my team, my mind races. I can't believe she's here. The memory of our conversation last night floods back – the way her green eyes sparkled in the dim light of the bar.
"You okay there, Doc?" Hudson asks, eyeing me curiously. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
I laugh, trying to shake off the daze. "Just got lost in thought for a second. You know, complex medical stuff. You Hose Jockey’s wouldn’t understand."
"Okay. Now it’s on!" he says, unconvinced. "I don’t suppose it has anything to do with that redhead over there you’re staring at?"
Busted. I run a hand through my hair, sheepish. "That obvious, huh?"
Sawyer claps me on the back. "Dude, you are practically drooling. Go talk to her after the game."
I nod, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through me. "Already did. Last night. Got a date with her tomorrow for coffee." I walk away before he can say anything to me.
As we take our positions on the field, I can't help but steal one more glance at Brooke. To my surprise, she's looking rightback at me, a small smile playing on her lips. She gives a little wave, and I feel my heart race as I wave back.
This game just got a whole lot more interesting. The shrill whistle snaps my attention back to the field. Sawyer's voice rings out, "Heads up, Doc!"
