His voice was quiet.Steady.Andit hurt worse because he didn’t argue.
“I thought about you every day,” he added.“Stilldo.”
Rose’s breath caught.
But before she could answer,Riley’svoice rang out from behind the bleachers.
“Hey!Youtwo gonna make out or kill each other?I’mtaking bets.”
Rose rolled her eyes.“Neither.Practiceis over.”
She turned her back toAcenand headed toward her truck, heart thudding against her ribs like it had twenty years ago—only louder.
CHAPTERFOUR
Thursday at five,Roselocked the door to theSouthernSipscoffee shop and headed out to meet some of the team for supper.Sleephad been elusive last night after the prolonged practice session withAcenpushing the girls to their limits.Andpushing her emotions to the limit as well.Shehadto get a grip on herself if she was going to survive until the playoffs were over.Hopefullywith a big regional trophy as her reward for doing the right thing for the team.
The dining room atFintoForksmelled like fried catfish, fresh cornbread, and a week’s worth of gossip.Spottingher friends already seated,Roseslid into the booth next toTasha, whileMaggie,Ginny, andDanicrowded the opposite bench, looking over the menu even though they always had the catfish special.
“Y’all,Iswear,”Ginnysaid, fanning herself with a laminated menu, “CoachRosehas got us out there training like we’re headed to theOlympics.”
“That’s because you keep ducking fly balls like they’re angry bees,”Rosesaid, arching a brow.
“She’s not wrong,”Maggiemuttered.
“Anyway,”Tashasaid with a grin, “let’s get to the real topic.Namely,AcenWheeler’sbiceps.”
Dani groaned.“Herewe go.”
Rose raised a hand.“No.Absolutelynot.We’renot turning supper into a slow descent into thirst.”
Tasha leaned in, eyes sparkling.“Justsaying.Fora man his age?—”
“We’re all his age!”Rosesnapped, cheeks heating.
“Not me,”Ginnychimed in.“Whichmeans there’s still hope for me ifIget dumped by my current honey.”
Rose shook her head.Attwenty-fiveGinnysometimes made her feel ancient.Shereached for her sweet tea, took a sip to give everyone a beat to realize she meant business.“We’rehere to talk strategy, remember?Theinvitational bracket came out this morning.Andwe need to get serious.”
“It feels like we’ve been pretty serious already.IknowI’vegot sore muscles to prove it.”Tashasaid but added a smile and a wink to show she wasn’t being snarky.
They’d been friends for so longRoseknewTashawas sending her a chill vibe.Andmaybe she deserved it.She’dbeen pushing everyone hard.Andwith the addition ofAcen, they’d pushed harder.Theteam would give their all and she knew that.Itwas good to have a friend who could subtly call you out when needed.
“Strategize all you want,”Maggiesaid, opening her phone.“Ialready saw we’re playingMadisonCounty’steam first.Andthat’s one tough team.”
TheMadisonMarauderswere certainly a good team, butRosebelieved thePirateQueenscould beat them.
She was about to say so when the door opened and the whole energy of the room shifted.Conversationsstopped, forks stopped clattering on plates.
Into the silence stepped a tall man in a navy polo and dark jeans, his sun-kissed blond hair tousled just enough to look accidental.Hehad that clean, out-of-town look—like he hadn’t grown up enduring high humidity that left you feeling like you were breathing through a wet rag or learning to saysirandma’amby the age of five.Hiseyes were green and curious, and when he glanced around the restaurant, he smiled like the whole place was a warm joke he was glad to be in on.Hestopped at the checkout counter and spoke toDiane.
Rose sawDianenod in their direction.Whatcould be going on?
She glanced around taking in the stranger’s effect on the diners.OldAmosandSarahDonovanhad a reserved look on their faces.Notsurprising considering that in a town this small if you couldn’t claim kin atleastthree generations back you were considered an outsider.AmosandSarahboth could claim kin back to the eighteen hundreds on all side and considered themselves to be the authorities on who belonged - and who didn’t.Itcould really get on a person’s nerves after a while.Allthat judginess.
A table of weekenders who must have arrived a day early looked curious.Likethey were wondering how this hot guy had stumbled into this little establishment.Roseknew them from her coffee shop.CindyandJameswere friendly.ValerieandSamnot so much.Thefemales looked interest.Andwho could blame them?
“Who’sthat?”Ginnywhispered.
