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I tell myself it’s the time that’s passed since I pulled on a Glenmont jersey and faced off against Weston Cole. It heals all wounds, right?
Plus the fed up way I’ve been feeling toward football. It whitewashes a lot of the nuances when it comes to what I loved and what I loathed.
But I’m secretly worried it’s because I can relate in a way I never was able to before.I couldn’t help how I feltsounds a lot like the magnetism that seems to draw me toward Natalie.
I focus on the pier as well. “Dad is considering a coaching job at Arlington. He didn’t tell me himself. I found out from—I found out. He thought I’d be thrilled. Instead, I told him I’m sick of our relationship being about nothing but football. It’s fucking exhausting.”
“Does Mom know?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you worried he’ll start drinking again?”
“I’m notnotworried about it. But mostly, I’m tired of being a player first and his son second. I know you have your own issues with him. Know it bothers you that he’s not as interested in soccer. But he’s always taken it to the opposite extreme with me, and it’s…I can’t deal with him as my actual coach again.”
“I get it, Liam.”
I nod. Without saying anything else, we start running again, down the pier and onto the beach. We pass the spot where I called Natalie three days ago.
Halfway down the stretch of sand, I feel something hard hit my back. I stop and spin, staring down at a yellow frisbee on the ground.
A blonde girl in an oversize t-shirt jogs over a few seconds later. “Oh my gosh!” Her eyes are wide, a hand covering her mouth. “I am so sorry. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I lean down to pick up the frisbee. So does she. The top of her head collides with my chin, and pain explodes along my jaw. I barely restrain the string of curses that wants to spill out. I rub the sore skin, eyes watering.
If possible, the girl looks even more horrified. “Sorry,” she squeaks.
“All good.” I manage a smile, even though it hurts my jaw, as I hand the frisbee back to her.
Maeve makes a choked sound next to me. I’m sure it’s killing her not to start laughing.
“I swear, I’m not usually this clumsy. Uncoordinated. The wind caught it, and then I thought you were already standing…”
“It’s really fine.” I force another smile. “Have a nice day.”
“Wait!” She steps forward as I start to turn around. “I’m hosting a party tonight, with some friends. We’ll be right here, under the pier. There will be beer and stuff. At the very least, it will dull the pain.” She smiles. “Come, if you want. You too.” She glances at Maeve, then jogs back down the beach, frisbee in hand.
As soon as she’s a reasonable distance away, Maeve starts laughing. We’re basically to the end of the beach, by the time she regains control over her amusement. “Oh myGod, that was funny.”
“Glad you enjoyed it,” I say, dryly, as we climb the stairs that lead back up the sidewalk.
“So, are you gonna go?”
“Go where?”
“To theparty, Liam.”
“Oh. Uh, no. Probably not.”
“Why not? She seemed nice. Cute.”
“You go hang out with her then.”
“I got a pity invite, Liam. She was trying to figure out if we were together.”
My nose wrinkles. “Gross.”
“Agreed. Go and show her you’re single.”
