Page 10 of Chasing The Goal
What if she was just being nice? Polite? Laughing because it was easier than telling me to back off?
I rubbed my chest, suddenly aware of how fast my heart was thumping.
The elevator dinged. I scuffled down the hall, arms tightening around the grocery bags that now felt heavier than they should. I elbowed the front door open, my keys swinging from one finger, and finally made it inside.
The bags clinked together as I dropped them on the kitchen counter, like a tired, overfed orchestra hitting its final note. I stared at the spread—meatballs, two kinds of pasta, a half roasted chicken, two loaves of bread, roasted vegetables, salad, a green bean casserole that probably could’ve fed a basketball team, and two pies. My mom’s version of “light” cooking.
I should’ve been excited. Comforted, even.
Instead, I was just thinking about Mallory.
The way she’d smiled at me in the elevator. Teased me like I was some charming nuisance she hadn’t quite decided what to do with. And how her voice had gone soft when she said, “next time.”
It felt like hope.
But maybe I was reading into it. Maybe she’d laughed and flirted because it was easier than shutting me down.Maybe she was just trying to keep things light between us since we had six weeks of awkward stretching and ice packs ahead.
I sighed, dropping onto the couch and letting my head fall back against the cushions.
What the hell was I doing?
She was smart. So smart. Confident in a way that didn’t try too hard. She moved like she knew exactly where she belonged, and I couldn’t help but feel like maybe I didn’t.
I’d spent most of my life being the good guy on the line. The assist. The comic relief. The guy who made things easier, not heavier. But none of that had ever made anyone stay. Not really.
Mallory was the kind of woman who knew how to walk away from things that didn’t serve her.
I stared at my phone for a solid thirty seconds before finally giving in, unlocking it, and opening the group chat.
Group Chat: The Core Four
Jaymie:
yo. I need help.
Logan
is this a real emergency or are you out of frozen pizzas again?
Connor
if this is about the thing with your toe I swear to god
Logan
Whats wrong with his toe?
jaymie
NOTHING. JESUS CHRIST *facepalms*
Its a girl… well woman…
Darren
you’re dating again?
is she real? do we need to check your blood sugar?
