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Keri shifted next to Angela. Angela tore her gaze from Isaiah, said a quick goodbye to Keri and got out of there before she forgot that succumbing to Isaiah’s pull right now had consequences that would affect Cory. Three more weeks of camp and then maybe she’d be able to find out if he was into her, too. Angela smiled on her way to the car.
* * *
Isaiah watched Cory as he stared with all the longing of a teen in love. The target of his longing was Denise, one of the girls in the camp. Cory sat alone on the bleachers during the lunch break, watching Denise but never gathering the courage to walk over to speak to her. Cory’s crush on the girl was obvious, but if she looked his way, he stammered and walked away. All of his bravado on the court evaporated when Denise smiled at him.
Isaiah could relate to the boy’s struggle. He’d felt the same way when he was a teen. Felt that way now whenever Angela smiled at him. Just like an angel, the brightness of her smile struck him speechless. She must think he was ridiculous.
He’d blushed! What the hell. Kevin would take his man card if he knew.
“What are you frowning about?” his teammate Will Hampton asked.
Will sat next to Isaiah on the bleachers. He was taller than Isaiah at six foot six, with dark skin, a full beard and dark eyes that were always sparkling with laughter. Will lived life with an enthusiasm that tended to spill over to everyone around him. That’s why he was one of the most popular members on the team.
Isaiah pointed toward Cory across the gym. “Cory is too afraid to go over and speak to Denise.”
Will followed Isaiah’s gaze. “He has been giving her puppy-dog eyes from day one.”
“Thing is, she’s been giving him the same puppy-dog eyes. I think she would respond well if he decided to talk to her.”
“Then he should talk to her,” Will said with the confidence of a guy who’d never been afraid to approach a woman he was interested in. Isaiah couldn’t quite call Will a player because even though he always had a new woman on his arm, he always ended up their friend and was yet to have one of his flings get possessive or clingy with him. Isaiah had no idea how the man did that.
“You don’t know how hard it is to go up to a girl. I used to be petrified to talk to girls I liked when I was that age.”
Will grinned and slapped Isaiah on the back. “That’s because you were overthinking things. Women are easy. You smile, tell them they have nice eyes and before you know it, they’re giggling and eating up everything you’re spitting. Treat them with respect when you’re ready to move on, or make them think it’s their idea that they’re ending things and you’re golden.”
“Shut up,” Isaiah said without any heat. “The world already knows you wiggle your finger and women come flocking.”
Will laughed and tugged on his collar. “Hey, I’ve got a gift.”
Isaiah looked at Cory again. Angela had said he didn’t have to talk to Cory, but he wanted to know why the boy had been so rude to his aunt. Maybe it was something as simple as pining over a girl he liked. Isaiah stood. “I’ll go talk to him. He was giving his aunt a hard time earlier today. There may be a few things on his mind.”
“Isn’t his aunt that bartender at Sweethearts?” Will’s voice rose in interest.
“Yes.” Isaiah’s tone hardened. He gave Will a hard look.
Will only smiled and leaned back. “I thought so. You two talked for a long time the night we were all out.”
“And?”
“And is she the reason why you’re so concerned about Cory?”
Isaiah would have stepped in if any of the kids at camp had disrespected their parent or guardian in his vicinity. Yet, he couldn’t deny something else made him especially want to lend a helping hand in this case. “I’d help out no matter what and you know that. His aunt has nothing to do with this.”
“Uh-huh.” Will’s tone called Isaiah a liar.
“Bridget is coming to town in a few days. I’m not that kind of guy.”
Will’s smile grew. “Uh-huh.”
Isaiah ignored the teasing glint in Will’s eye and waved him off. He hopped down the bleachers and crossed the gym to Cory. Cory appeared to notice him, sitting up straighter and trying to look relaxed.
