Page 66 of Enough
I can’t help the loud laugh that escapes my lips. Coach Dawson turns, and I clear my throat and cough, acting as if I have a cold.
My eyes can’t help but wander in embarrassment. I hate the attention it draws to me. I see Nick staring at me from the corner of my eye. I feel the heat of his gaze, and I’m stunned by how much his proximity causes my knees to weaken.
After the coach finishes speaking and the team gives a final cheer, Marlow rushes to me. “Awesome job, babe!” I bend down to hug her. She returns my hug briefly before she grabs my arm and pulls me toward Nick. I stumble in his direction.
“Coach’s friend? This is my mom, Everly Haley.”
Nick nods to Marlow and then his eyes search mine. I can tell he doesn’t know if he should act like he’s just meeting me or not.
“Actually, Marlow, I already know him. We were good friends a long time ago.”
“You do?” she asks excitedly as if I’m acquainted with a celebrity.
“Um hmm.” I nod with a smile.
Nick focuses on Marlow as he says, “You did an amazing job today, Mar. I’m so proud of you!”
“Since you know my mom and all, maybe you couldcome over some day and teach me some more stuff and have dinner and stuff like that?” Marlow asks with hope gleaming in her eyes.
Nick sighs. “I don’t know if that’s—”
“That’s a great idea, Marlow,” I interrupt. “We’ll definitely have to have Coach Nick over for dinner sometime.” I don’t know what possesses me to say it, but I’m pretty sure Nick’s attempt to say no made me want him to come over even more.
“Sure.” He nods uncertainly.
His expression concerns me, and I feel I need to clarify things. “Marlow, could you help Grandma Kay and Kale put the chairs in the car. I’ll be right there.”
“K. Bye, Coach Nick!”
“Bye, Marlow!”
Marlow runs off and I turn toward him, attempting to focus my thoughts.
“She’s a great kid.”
“Yes, she is.” I smile at him briefly before I continue. “Hi.”
His eyes dart over me and pause when he gets to my lips. “Hi,” he replies as his head dips and he glances at me through the tops of his eyes. His hands dig into his shorts pockets and I notice an obvious bulge as I follow his movement. That bulge is clearlynothis from his hands, and I feel my face blush red. I pray he doesn’t notice. I clear my throat and refocus. “I’m sorry I put you on the spot with the whole dinner thing. I can just tell her you’re really busy and that you can’t make it. She’ll under—”
“Who said I can’t make it? Are you actually inviting me over?” he asks as he crosses his arms.
“Umm. Yeah. Sometime. Maybe. Soon,” I say after I’mflooded with nerves and uncertainty. I don’t know why he makes me lurch forward and backpedal in the same breath.
He sighs. “Not sure it was a good idea now that she’s gone?”
“It’s not that. It’s just…” I pause, not knowing how to finish my sentence.
“You never called me back.”
My head falls to the ground. I wasn’t prepared to discuss his call and I didn’t know what to say. I think of lying, but my mind goes blank.
He laughs lightly. “I see you still drop your head when you’re trying to lie. It’s okay. We have a first aid kit if you break my heart again.”
I roll my eyes at him and place my hands on my hips. “Something tells me you’ve broken your fair share of hearts.”
His expression changes and his brows sink. “Really, why didn’t you call me back?”
He asks so sincerely that my heart aches. I don’t know what to say, so I just tell him the truth. “I was going to, but then I assumed Cooper guilted you into calling me.”
