Page 11 of Penalty Kick

Dash’s gut churned at Talia’s mention of their road trip this coming weekend. Or well, the team’s road trip. Gunnar had made it perfectly clear that even though he’d been allowed back at practice, he still wasn’t going to be playing for a while. Which probably meant he wouldn’t be traveling either. Pushing down the guilt that was rising in him, Dash tried his hardest to keep his face even, not wanting the Unified players to see his unease or to know that it was eating away at him that he wasn’t going to be playing. All because of some stupid mistake.

Looking around him, it hit him for the first time that most of these players were around his sister’s age. Twelve years younger than he, Maria was one of the most important people in his life. Making sure that she had everything he didn’t when he was that age was his top priority—followed closely by being there for her and being a good role model. Something he had failed at—gloriously—these last few weeks. Maria had yet to say anything to him about the Vegas incident, and truth be told he didn’t know how much she knew. Or how much these kids knew. Would they still accept him with the same open arms as they had today if they knew?

Shuddering at the thought, he forced himself to turn his attention back to Talia. She looked radiant in her bright-blue athletic shorts and white tank top, her wavy brown hair pulled up into a ponytail. Every inch of him wanted to run over to her, scoop her up, and kiss her until she forgot her name. But that was a bad idea, on many levels.

Coach’s daughter…kids around…oh, and she still hasn’t said a single thing about the last one…

“And, as a reminder,” Talia continued, “there is the trivia night at Bunz on Wednesday. You don’t have to be there, but it will be a lot of fun and a bunch of the first team players will be there if you want to meet them!”

The group cheered, a few of the kids jumping up and down at the idea of hanging out with Dash’s teammates. A deep, booming laugh came from behind him, and Dash turned to see Liam standing there.

“Are we not exciting, Padre?” he muttered to his buddy.

“Apparently not.”

The two of them shook their heads laughing, trying not to disrupt anyone around them. Talia finished up talking to the team, ending the practice by giving everyone a high five. Making a mental note to ask her why she handed out so many of those, he sauntered over to her.

“Bonita.”

“I thought we nixed that name,” she answered.

“Talia,” he tried again. She smiled, although he couldn’t quite tell if it was just her way of being polite. Either way, he didn’t want to waste this time alone with her. They seemed to be on good footing this afternoon, and he wanted to extend that. Try and leverage that into something more. “You are obviously passionate about this team. Since I am going to be working with you and them, I would like to learn more about them.”

“I can get you copies of each kid’s bio. That way you can learn what their different abilities are. Or actually, Liam has copies, so you could borrow his.”

Holding back a sigh, Dash nodded. That was not where he was trying to go with this.

“I had been thinking it would be better if I heard it all from you. Over dinner. Do you have to work tonight?”

“I don’t. I do have to clean up from practice and then get Tanner home though,” she answered, turning to walk away.

“Tomorrow?” he pressed.

“Dash. I’m happy that you’re interested in learning more about the team. They really look up to you, and I will admit, you are surprisingly good with them. But—”

“Ta-ahhhhh-ya,” Tanner cut them off.

“Hey buddy. I need to get the cones and such picked up and put away, and then we’ll head home, cool?”

Tanner nodded, tossing a ball into the air. Suddenly, an idea struck Dash. Reaching out, he grabbed the ball midair.

“Tanner, how about you and I grab Padre and see if we can embarrass him?” Dash asked.

Tanner furrowed his brow in confusion.

“Padre is Dash’s nickname for Liam,” Talia explained. “And I think he wants you to go get him so you guys can see if you can score on him. Do you want to do that while I clean up?”

“Yeah!”

“Then let us go!” Dash turned, looking for Liam, finding him standing by the water jug with Avery. “Padre, hit the net. Time to show us what you got!”

CHAPTER FOUR

It took a few minutes—and physical intervention from Tanner—to pull Liam away from Avery. But she finally told him to go play, giving him a shove. The two of them were adorable together, and watching them together was like watching an older couple who had been together for years but were still enamored with each other. Sweet enough to give anyone a toothache. And in Dash’s case, maybe a tad bit of jealousy.

He knew he wanted to settle down—someday—but the last few years he’d been enjoying the single life. And not because he liked playing the field, but because it was nice not having to answer to anyone other than himself. To be able to do what he wanted, when he wanted. And okay, who he wanted.

Not that he had done anyone recently. Not since the morning he met Talia.