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“That was fun,” I said.

“You were good with them.”

“Youwere good with them.” I sat next to the pile of belts and began reattaching some ribbons that had come loose. “How long have you been doing this?”

“I’ve been helping out during off season since”—he shrugged like it was no big deal, sitting down next to me—“freshman year.”

“You really are a nice guy.”

He let out a single laugh. “You’re still not convinced, are you?”

“I am!” I said. “You are.”

“I don’t know how to respond to that.”

“Thank you?” I suggested.

“Thank you?” he said, keeping the question in his inflection and everything.

“I’m sorry it took me this long to truly believe it. It’s my issues, not yours.”

“Oh, I know.”

This time I laughed, then picked up a handful of belts. “What do we do with all this stuff?”

“There’s a mesh bag by the bleachers.” He stood, and again I saw the wince as he did.

I couldn’t help myself and asked, “Is your knee bothering you more than normal?”

“Just a little stiff. It’s fine.” He scooped up the rest of the belts.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Don’t be.”

“Is it because of all the extra practices you’re putting in withme?”

“They’re good for me.” He deposited the belts into the bag, then picked up a ball. “Do you have time to stick around for a bit longer? Practice kicking?”

I looked at his knee. “Are you sure?”

“You’ll be the one kicking, not me.” He handed me my cleats that I hadn’t noticed on the ground near us.

“Thanks.” I squatted down to change out the shoes I was wearing for my cleats. I hadn’t put them on in a year, and they felt tight…snug. I stared out over the field, little white bugs floated above the grass, beating their wings.

“You miss soccer?” he asked.

“I miss bonding with a team, hanging out with Deja more,” I confided. “But I honestly don’t miss soccer. I’ll miss podcasting.”

I met his eyes. They were a golden brown and seemed to want to say something.

“You’re analyzing me again.”

He smiled. “I don’t understand. Why do you have to miss it?”

“Well, for one, my grandma’s story will be done or she won’t be able to tell it anymore.”

He nodded in sympathy.