“I think we’re being watched,” he says, motioning with his head halfway through our workout.
“Yeah?” I say, looking up. I can see two women in purple standing in the distance. They seem to be visiting, waiting for everyone else. I should know better than to let my mind focus on something else when working out with Tim.
“I bet they’re volunteers,” he says before plowing into me, sending me head over tail onto the ground.
“Fucking howlin’ scrote!” I yell out, punting the ball into the back of his head. Tim comes to an abrupt stop.
“I’m not sure what you just called me, but I’m about to kick your ass, mate.” He smirks, taking off after me, which is ridiculous since I’m easily twice as fast as him. He does give me a good chase around the pitch, at least.
I taunt him with an occasional dodge before sliding on my knees into the far goal. I’m sure we look like idiots, but sometimes you have to work off your pent-up frustration somehow.
“Goal!” I yell at him, raising my hands. Tim is doubled over in laughter or exhaustion, I can’t tell which. Looking over briefly at the two women, I can see that they’ve been joined by a lot more purple-clad gawkers. A man has peeled off from the group heading our way.
“Well, at least your shorts stayed on this time,” Tim points out. “Don’t need you accidentally having any more coeds run into it while we’re on this campus.”
“Shut it, Tim,” I say, doing my best fake laugh. I did lose my shorts sliding once, but that was back in my rookie year. I’m much better at tying them now. I’m just going to choose to ignore the comment on my Oregon incident, as I like to refer to it.
“I’m Coach Blake,” the man says when he makes it to us. He sticks his hand out to me first, shaking it with gusto before turning to Tim.
“Xander Ross. My colleague is Tim Bayern.” I’ve played under the name Xander since my brother signed me up for my first team. He did it as a joke, but it somehow stuck. Since my name is technically Alexander, there are a handful of ways to shorten it.
“Of course, we all know who y’all are. We are very excited to welcome you to campus this weekend.” We walk back across the pitch to the crowd of people.
“We appreciate ye hosting the clinic. Are those the volunteers?” I ask, waving toward the growing group.
“Yes, let me introduce you to two of our past players that will be assisting you this weekend. Anything you need at all, they are here to help. The others are members of both the men’s and women’s teams currently. Lily, y’all come make introductions,” he yells back at the group.
Lining up behind each other, they jog toward us. An attractive blonde is the leader reaching us first. She ignores me, holding her hand out to Tim.
“Lily Rhett. I’ve followed your career for years now. It’s an honor to work beside you.” I grin over at a dazed-looking Tim. If he wasn’t already happily married, I’m pretty sure he would waste no time hitting on that. She steps aside to give me a view of the next volunteer. Turning back, I stick my hand out.
“Hi, Xander Ross…” As she looks back at me with wide eyes, the world stops spinning. “Claire?” We stare at each other in disbelief, neither of us being able to say anything else. All I can think is, how in a million years does this happen?
“Oh shit,” I hear Tim say behind me. “The Claire?” His words suddenly spur Claire into action.
“I thought you said your name was Alex, asshole.” Without another word, she turns, storming back toward the field house.
“You must have made quite an impression.” Tim snorts out a laugh behind me.
“Shut it, Tim!” Everyone stands, staring at me in silence as the red slowly rises in my face before turning to watch Claire jog toward the field house.
“Umm, I’ll be right back,” the leggy blonde says, starting toward Claire.
“Naw! I’ve got this.” I start after Claire, sending a warning glare at the blonde. “Claire, wait a fucking minute,” I yell chasing after her. I finally manage to grab her arm right before she stomps into the field house. “Wait!” I spin her around to face me.
“Let me go!” she says, struggling. I hold my hands up, taking a step back.
“Christ, Claire! I never thought I’d see ye again.” I jerk my beanie off in frustration, running my hand through my hair. “I know we dinnae leave on the best terms, but why are ye so angry?”
“You really can’t figure it out, Xander?” She has her hands on her hips, glaring at me.
“Is it because of the name? I told ye my name was Alex because that’s whit it is. I only play under the name Xander. My friends call me Alex.” She seems to diffuse slightly.
“Why did you run out of the library? Why didn’t you tell me who you were? I understand it was only intended to be one time but...” I take a step closer, but stop when she takes a step back. All I want to do is taste her mouth again, so it takes all of my restraint to stop myself from touching her.
“Claire, I was in the middle of running a camp. That was Tim looking for me. If I hadnae left, he would have seen ye with yer clothes half on. I’m sorry.” I try taking another step toward her. This time she holds her ground, glaring up at me.
“Oh,” she says, tilting her head in that adorable way she does when she’s thinking.
