Page 67 of Second Chance

Keeping a hand on the door, Alyce turns back to me. “Seems complicated has come a-knocking, Mati. Time to jump at the net,” she teases, using her volleyball euphemisms again.

“I was never a middle,” I correct her, grinning.

“Then dig, girl,” she mocks with the reminder I was a libero, the player in the back, fighting for the ball. I’m used to complicated.

+ + +

I follow Alyce out of the office and walk directly to Denton. He looks mad—flecking hot, but mad. Well, I’m annoyed as well. Last night was a fail in the category of taking care of Denton. I should have held him on the couch, soothed him with words like I did when we were kids. I recall his assumptions about his father—another father. Things were certainly complicated, and I remind myself Denton doesn’t need a relationship or friends-with-benefits or a date. He needs his friend, and I failed him.

“Hey,” I say as I near him. I can feel the anger vibrating off his body, and I nod for the hall outside the gymnasium. I don’t need a scene before the girls. In fact, I can’t do this right now. I need to coach.

I continue into the hallway and spin to face him. He steps up to me, and suddenly I’m pressed against the trophy case across from the gym. His mouth crashes mine, and I can’t breathe. He’s consuming me as his lips capture mine, and I melt into him, although our mouths feel more like a fight than a kiss.

“I’m so pissed off at you,” he mutters, nipping at my chin before returning to my mouth.

“Me? Well, I’m not too happy with you, either,” I mumble into his lips.

“Why?” He releases me.

“Why what?”

“Why are you mad?”

“Because you were an ass last night.” Denton pulls farther back and stares down at me.

“Did I hurt you?” His question startles me, as does the genuine concern.

“Only my feelings,” I admit, looking down at my feet. My lips linger with the pressure of his, and I’d like him to kiss me again, but I realize where we are—our high school hallway. “I need to finish practice.”

Ignoring what I said, Denton tugs me by the arm down the hall. He looks left and right as if looking for something. The building hasn’t changed structurally in almost thirty years, despite updates to the decor. Finding what he must be looking for, he pulls me into an alcove near the library. My back hits the wall again, and his mouth finds mine. Kissing me, his lips devour mine like he hasn’t tasted a favorite flavor in too long.

“I thought you were mad at me.” I hardly get the words out as his mouth continues to move over mine.

“I am, but your lips,” he mutters without breaking his attention.

“Denton,” I exhale. “What are we doing?” His mouth sucks at my chin, traveling to my neck. His fingers have found their way to the place he likes to hold me. He covers my throat.

“I’m kissing you,” he mutters against my skin before drawing back and peering into my eyes. “But we need to talk.”

I freeze, stiffening at his words.

“What was that stunt with your son?”

I pull back. My hands gripped his biceps, but they slip to his chest, pressing him away from me. “What are you talking about?”

“You left me Jax’s number this morning, to call him instead of you, for a ride.”

My forehead furrows. “I did no such thing.” Jax would rather punch Denton in the face than give him a ride.

Denton stands to his full height, glaring down at me. “What about the letter?”

“I didn’t...” Oh my God. What happened? How did Jax find the letter? And why did he leave his number?

“Where?”

“What do you mean where?”

“Where was the letter and the number?”