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She took a few seconds to read through it. “Wow. You’ve increased your weight since last week. But make sure you’re not lifting too much. The trainer puts in the weight he feels is healthy for you to increase incrementally over time.”
Corey gave her a shallow nod.
I watched their interaction carefully, prepared to step in if I needed to remind him to be polite.
Callie smiled brightly at him. “You’re doing a great job, Corey. Keep it up.”
Corey’s eyes widened slightly at her words.
Had Tiffany not complimented him? It seemed like he wasn’t used to praise.
“It was nice to meet you. Thank you so much,” I said to Callie before heading out with Corey. Then to Corey, I asked, “You like weightlifting?”
“I love it.”
I almost stopped walking because I’d never heard Corey be so demonstrative about anything, at least, not since he was six or seven. I tried to act nonchalant as if his answer hadn’t fazed me. “Oh yeah?”
“I’m already seeing more muscle definition.”
“It’s good to be stronger.” As long as he was using his increased strength for sports and not fights at school.
“Reid said it would make me better at the game. Faster even.”
“That’s right.”
Climbing into my truck, he asked, “How come you never played sports?”
“I don’t know. My dad wanted me to. He also wanted me to be on the debate team and in chess club.” I usually did the opposite of whatever he wanted.
Corey’s lip curled. “That sounds awful.”
I barked out a laugh. “You got that right. But if someone had taken me aside and done what Reid’s done with you, I like to think I would have taken him up on his offer.”
How many kids had an opportunity to work with a professional football player, to have him personally reviewing his workout routine? Reid could have left it up to the trainers and coaches. I hoped Corey realized how unique the situation was.
I think the extra attention from Reid, and now Hailey, had boosted his confidence. There were people in town who valued him, needed him, and expected things from him. I didn’t think everything had been resolved, but I hoped we were on the right path. If I’d had sports as a kid, I might have stayed out of trouble, too.
* * *
The next day, I showered before picking up Corey from Hailey’s shop. I told myself it was because I was greasy from the long day at the garage, but I also wanted to make a good impression.
My attraction to Hailey was something I could think about at the end of the night, like a good dream you never wanted to end, but it wasn’t reality. Jake would never allow it. Not that Hailey was interested in a guy like me.
She probably went for the white-collar types. The suits who worked in a high-rise, who merely loosened their ties at the end of the night, not needing to shower off grease. Except I kind of remember Jake complaining that she went more for losers who couldn’t hold down a job, but he probably had a low opinion of anyone she dated.
This time, when I walked inside, I was better prepared for the onslaught of spice with the undertone of tea leaves. The spice jars lined one side of the store, and bags of tea leaves dotted the other. Two round tables occupied the middle of the store and held delicate teapots and knickknacks. The front counter was empty.
Hailey was in the back area I hadn’t noticed before. It must be where she mixed the spices. She wore an apron with the shop’s logo, and her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail. She looked like the girl next door, the one I wanted to put on the back of my motorcycle and corrupt.
She glanced up at me as if she’d gotten a whiff of my thoughts. When her gaze snagged on me, her lips curved into a smile.
I liked it a little too much. The warmth of her smile unfurled in my chest. Touching it with my palm, I tried to still the fluttering of my heart. What was this girl doing to me?
I had to remind myself she was my best friend’s sister.
Tipping her head to the side, she said my name softly. “Ryan. You’re early.”
I glanced at the clock. It was only fifteen minutes before the time we’d agreed upon. “I can go check on his progress.”
