One night I’d cooked, and the next time he’d brought over Chinese. His proposal hovered over us like an elephant in the room—an overly large elephant wearing stilettos. Every time he said my name or brushed a little too close to me, the urge to say yes would whisper in my ear.
He didn’t bring it up again and neither did I, but every time he looked at me, I felt like he was undressing me. My body would tighten, my heart pounding in its cage while the air around us thickened to an unbearable degree. It was exactly what was happening now, and it was maddening.
“Ya’ll are making me wish I was headed to Rick’s rather than a soccer game.” Layla had straightened up, and she was fanning herself, looking back and forth between us. “Holy secret tension.”
“Oh, it’s not a secret. She knows.”
If I could have been a turtle, I’d have popped my head right into my shell. They were both looking at me, Garrett with self-satisfied humor, and Layla in wicked delight.
“I’m going to warm up the Jeep,” I muttered, slipping past. I could barely handle Garrett’s persuasion, but if Layla jumped on the bus—which she would—I wouldn’t stand a chance.
About five minutes later, the remainder of the group climbed in with me, Garrett up front and the other two in back. From the sounds of it, Layla was mid-way through an aggressive pep talk.
I rolled my eyes, backing out of the drive once everyone was buckled. The woman was incredibly competitive. Jamie would be lucky if she didn’t end up shooting to her feet, yelling, throughout the game.
Hearing Layla finally wrap up her speech, I glanced in my rearview mirror. “You get all that, bud?”
“I guess.”
I held a thumbs up behind my head, “Cool. Now chuck it all out the window and pretend you didn’t hear it because if you take any of her advice, you’re bound to get kicked out.”
Next to me, Garrett chuckled. “Maybe take a little bit.”
I stuck my tongue out at him, and he winked. Of course, he’d agree with her. Glancing back again, I saw Jamie eyeing all of us like we were a band of unruly marsupials.
“Can I just have fun?”
I rubbed my hands together, trying to keep warm. In the last week the temperature had taken a turn, but I swore it’d dropped even further in the last hour. I needed to remember to bring a blanket to the next game, or at least follow-through with purchasing a new coat. A large Thermos of coffee wouldn’t hurt either.
Bringing my hands to my face, I cupped them and blew hot air between them. This game was taking forever, caffeine actually sounded like a great idea.
“Hey, I’m going to go grab some coffee, would either of you like some?”
“Is that a rhetorical question?” Layla didn’t even bother looking over at me, eyes riveted to the game, her thighs in a permanent state of half squat over the bench.
I stood, looking down at Garrett and pointing at him, but he shook his head. “I’m fine. Do you want me to walk over there with you?”
“No, it’s okay. Enjoy the game, I’ll be quick.”
I shuffled down the bleachers, thankful the audience was fairly sparse today, and I didn’t have to squeeze by anyone. The concessions were on the far side of the field, but it’d be nice to move my limbs and get the blood pumping.
When I approached, a line had already formed of other parents with the same idea, but at least I could still see the field. I took my place, turning to watch as I bounced from side to side.
“Today turned out to be a cold one, didn’t it?”
I nodded to myself, still watching the game, agreeing with whoever was talking.
“The boys sitting on the bench must be freezing.”