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I pull my head out of the clouds and pay attention to the remainder of practice, so Coach lets me off the hook. Carter, however, does not.
“Alright, we’re going to lunch, and you’re going to spill,” he says, falling into step beside me as we walk off the field an hour later.
“No can do,” I say without looking his way, knowing I’ll be getting some kind of death stare in return. “I’ve got plans.”
Carter’s steps falter, and he pulls me to a stop. “Are theseplansthe reason you’re so cheery?”
“Nope,” I lie unconvincingly. “Just having a good day. Aren’t I allowed to be happy?”
“You absolutely are. As long as you tell me why.”
I bark out a deep laugh and shake my head. “I already told you. It’s just a good day.”
“I’m calling Grandma Katie,” he threatens with a grin, and I shoot him a glare.
“Fuck off. No, you’re not.”
“Ahh, so there is something. I knew it.” He claps like a giddy schoolgirl before his smirk rises.
“You’re such a fucker,” I grumble and then jump away when he tries to slap me on the back.
“I know.” He shrugs.
After a quick shower, I get changed in record time and make a dash out to my truck to meet Lucy. Unfortunately, I’m not as fast as I thought because Carter’s leaning against the driver’s door, waiting for me with a huge grin on his face.
“For fuck’s sake, I met a woman,” I say, knowing he’ll never let up.
His smile drops as his eyebrows shoot up into his hairline. “I thought you were going to say you got laid. ‘Meeting a woman’ sounds much more serious than that.”
“It’snotserious, and we haven’t even hooked up. At all.”
His brows furrow in confusion. “When did you meet her?” he says with a frown.
His reaction is not what I was expecting. I thought I’d get some light teasing, or maybe he’d even ask to meet her. But this is weird. “Two days ago,” I say, massaging my forehead in slight frustration.
“Hmm,” he says, but offers nothing else.
“Why areyouacting weird now?” I ask to avoid punching him like I want to.
He gives me a look that screams “are you fucking kidding me” and then shakes his head incredulously. “Maybe because I’m worried about you. Are you sure you’re ready for something like that?”
“For lunch?” I ask, playing dumb. I know what he’s worried about, and it’s easier to joke than to seriously consider his question.
“Don’t be a dick. You know what I mean.”Unfortunately, I do.
I sigh, running a hand down my face. “I’m just getting to know her. That’s all.”
“Nah, it’s more than that. I can tell. I haven’t seen you like this since…” he trails off.
Once again, he’s right, but I’m not about to admit that.
“She’s only here for a week…for a conference. It’s just a bit of fun.”
Carter visibly relaxes, and I smile. I should be grateful he’s looking out for me, but it wouldn’t hurt for him to want me to find someone.
“So can I meet her?” he asks with a cheesy grin now that he feels better about the situation. Without giving him an answer, I roll my eyes and flip him off, before jumping in my car.Bye, Carter.
I finally arrive back at the hotel at one forty-five, and after a quick hello to Gran—where she once again questions me for stopping by unannounced—I make it to the bar with a few minutes to spare. This time, Lucy’s already waiting. Leaning against the wall near the entry, she has her eyes on her phone as her thumb flicks across the screen. She’s nibbling on her bottom lip and has the faintest of smiles on her beautiful face. My heart races as I watch her. Everything about her draws me in, and I can’t bring myself to move, let alone look away. So, when her head lifts, she catches me staring.
