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“I’ve got a headache this weekend. Maybe the following?” I smile sweetly, but my eyes hold every ounce of sarcasm I can muster.
He studies me for a moment, his grin turning into a lightning white smile that makes his whole face shine.
“This is going to be fun, Mackenzie.”
My heart skips a beat at the mention of my name. Does he know who I am? Duh, of course, he knows my name. Summer and Mark’s best friend, Dash, are dating. I’m sure they were at the game. He couldn’t possibly know my family tree, though, right?
He slides out of the booth, standing at his full height, and pulls out his cell phone, shaking it at me. “Is your cell in your back pocket?” I scrunch my brows at him in question as he turns and walks away.
What in the world is he talking about?A moment later, I hear my phone buzz. I reach into my bag and pull it out.
Unknown number:
Because your ass is calling me.
MARK
“What are you working on, man? Your fingers are flying across that keyboard.”
I smirk and look up, finding Dash hovering over my desk. “Should I give you a lesson on finger movement? I bet your girl would appreciate it.”
“Fuck off,” he huffs out and turns to go back to his desk. I chuckle at his tone, watching his cranky face contort as he sits and fires up his computer.
You could say I’m bordering on the stalker level. I used my IT skills and looked up Mackenzie’s information through the school database. Wrong? Probably. Am I sorry? Not at all. Listen, I didn’t look at her personal shit or medical chart. I simply found her name and phone number. Sue me.
I would have given anything to see her face when I sent that text. But I had to keep it moving. It’s part of the charm. The game. I live for the chase. And I’d bet my job that she loves it, too. She likes my fire, and I can also tell by her fight, she enjoyed throwing gasoline on that fire. We ignite each other and it’s glorious. Even if she won’t admit it.
Yet.
I’ve seen her coaching her team at the University during the week. But I’ve left her alone. She noticed me on the field one day when I was with Dash, but I made it a point to stay away. Games? I won’t say I’mnotplaying a game. I do want her to miss me, look for me, but I also won’t distract her while she’s working.
It’s getting harder, though, to wait this out. Her fight intrigues me, and I want more. So, I’m going to help myself to more right now.
“Why are you here, anyway? I thought Summer was off today?”
Dash sighs and leans back in his chair. It squeaks under the pressure. “She was, but Mackenzie called and asked to go over a routine, so they were meeting up at the gym to test it out.”
“Which gym?”
He brings his chair back to the floor. “Leave her alone, Mark. She’s not the type you can play with.”
“Bro!” I grab my heart and act offended. “I’m not playing. I genuinely want to get to know her.”
“Listen, Summer is Mackenzie’s only friend right now. She’s brand new here and doesn’t need the likes of a known playboy sinking his claws into her.”
I shake my head and tsk, tsk my boy. “You know I’m not really a player, Dash.”
Chuckling to himself, he throws a pen at me. “I know that. And what you do after hours is your business. But this town thinks it’s their business.” He shakes his head. “It’s just like Christmas. Too fucking nosey for their own good.”
I laugh at Dash’s skewed up face remembering his hometown of Christmas, Texas, that loves love and loves to unite everyone in it.
“I hear ya, man. But I can’t hide away or be someone I’m not for fear of what the town gossip is going to say about me.” I sit back. “Eventually, I’d like to meet someone. Without the town spoiling my name ahead of time or putting words in my mouth.”
Dash nods. “I’ll talk to Summer, and we can all plan a night to meet up at JB’s.”
“Sounds like a plan. But for now, what gym did you say they were at?” He shakes his head at me and rolls his crazy-colored eyes. “You know I’ll just find it myself, so save me ten minutes and tell me the name.”
* * *
