Page 60 of Comeback
“What happened to them?” Brogan asks as I toss the old batteries into a side zipper of my bag.
“I just forgot,” I say. I always put fresh batteries in before a game. Always. For this exact reason. But today I was too preoccupied.
After that, the missed catch seems almost inevitable. Coach pulls me for the next possession and Graham’s smug smile as he takes my place haunts me for the rest of the night. Not even the win over Vegas helps my mood.
17
SABRINA
The apartment is quiet when I get home late Sunday night. I worked at the studio all day and then worked a shift at Lilac Lounge. TVs at the club showed the Mavericks game against Vegas. I wasn’t able to watch much of it, but I kept up with the score and know they won.
Bass vibrates low from Archer’s room as I head into mine. I grab clean clothes and make my way to the bathroom quietly. I shower fast and then am on my way back to my room when I notice the music has changed. Usually when he sleeps it stays on the same playlist. And instead of the usual rock music I’ve gotten used to, it’s something slower with less bass. I pause in front of his door and listen.
I’ve just put my finger on the country twang when the door flies open. I jump back with a yelp. Archer’s brows rise, but he plays off his surprise much cooler than I do. Then again, he’s not creeping outside someone’s door.
“Hi,” I squeak out, heart still racing.
“Did you knock, and I didn’t hear you?” he asks.
“That would be less embarrassing, but no. I was listening to your music.”
His lips quirk into a smile.
“This trash?” He hikes one thumb over his shoulder.
“Why are you listening to it if it’s trash?”
He holds up a finger and walks back toward his bed. He stops in front of his nightstand and picks up his hearing aids. He puts both in and turns down the music before turning back to me.
“I didn’t catch that last thing you said.”
“I was just trying to ask why you were listening to country?”I’m signing the words too, but he reaches out and stops my hands.
“I can hear you now.”
“I don’t mind signing,”I say and sign that as well.
“I like your voice.”
I have tried very hard not to think about Archer as the best kiss of my life since he politely told me that it couldn’t happen again, but when he says things like that, it’s really difficult.
The music flips to another song, this one even twangier and sappier than the last.
“Is this a cry for help?” I ask and motion with my hand, so he knows I mean the music.
His lips curve up at both corners. “I couldn’t sleep. Thought something with a slower beat might help.”
“And?”
“I was just going to get a glass of warm milk so clearly it isn’t working.”
“Warm milk?” A small giggle escapes. It’s so…surprising from this big, muscled guy.
His expression turns shy. “My mom used to make it for me when I was a kid. She’d sprinkle a little cinnamon on top.”
“That’s adorable.”
“Are you just getting home from work?” His gaze moves to take in my wet hair and bare feet.
