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When she finally relents, I back up to look at her. “You are in so much trouble!”
I turn and grab a few soccer balls and head to the open field. She is walking behind me. I abruptly stop, causing her to run right into me, which causes me to smile. Adam, you are making this girl fall for you more.
“Oh my, I am so sorry!” she exclaims.
I turn and drop a ball at her feet. She bends and picks it up. Slapping her hand, she drops the ball and gives me a death glare.
“There are no hands in football.” I shake my head.
One eyebrow rises in surprise. I lick my lips and watch her narrow her eyes at me.
“So, we will kick with the inside of our foot… here.” I point to the inside of my foot. “Do not kick with your toe! You will jam it and we can’t afford to miss your garbage route.”
I back up as she nods her head at me. She kicks the ball in the most unathletic way. I stand as the ball rolls by me, shocked by the total awkwardness of that kick.
“What in God’s name was that?”
She folds her arms across her chest and huffs, “I told you I am not into sports!”
“I got it. But that kick?” I turn to bring the ball back between us. “Like this…”
I gently tap the ball to her, and she hops, trying to stop it. It is so cute. She is like a fragile baby horse trying to find its legs. That’s how agile she is. Reese tries to kick the ball back to me and it’s better, but I’m positive a first grader has better ball skills.
A light flickers out of the corner of my eye and catches my attention. I look around and I am not sure where it came from.
“Is this better?” she asks.
“Yeah, babe, it’s much better…” I trail off. Adam, you aren’t crazy. There was a light flicker.
“John!” She gets my attention.
“What?”
“You okay?” She looks at me, concerned.
I give her my best smile and wink. “Yeah, I’m good. I’m thinking of how much of an amazing coach I am.”
“That’s very pompous of you.”
I shrug my shoulders and stand a little taller. The light flicks out of the corner of my eye and I twist my head to look up. The buildings that surround the park are all office buildings. I’m scanning the windows and my gut is telling me… shooter! The light flicks again and I’m panicking. I playfully head toward her, causing her to laugh. We are in an open field. A prime target.
“I didn’t mean pompous! I swear,” she squeals.
“Take it back! Or else!” I threaten. I’m jogging behind her as she’s trying to run ahead of me.
She laughs hard as I stalk toward her. “Ah!” she squeaks as I pick her up and walk her to the trees.
She’s squirming in my arms and as much as I want to enjoy this, I know danger is above us. My chest is seizing up, and the anxiety is nipping at my flesh.
A pop echoes in the park and we feel something pass us.
“What was that?” she asks, looking around.
A fucking bullet! “I’m not sure.”
We look around and another pop, with something crossing our path. We are sitting ducks. I scan the area and some bystanders are looking around, confused, like Reese.
“Maybe we should leave?” I offer.
