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Thinking about all the quirky shit that happened in this town, I hoped he was right.

“I teach Phys Ed at the school. Started just recently.”

“I forgot you two know each other,” Ro said, heading over with one of the older Tuftettes in tow.

Finn’s face lit up when he saw the girl, bringing her close to his body. “Brody, this is Lexie. My little girl.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said.

“You, too.” She assessed me through brown eyes as only a pre-teen could.

I grinned. She was pretty tall, to be called little. “Hey, you did great out there.”

“Thanks.” She looked like she’d rather be anywhere than talking with the grownups. In her shoes, I’d have felt the same.

“I’ll be right back,” Ro said, giving a thumbs up to a parent who waved at her.

Finn watched her go, then grinned at me. “How long has it been? I’ve been following your career, but I wanna find out what you’ve been up to in real life. How are your folks?”

Warmth ignited in my chest. When I met people in Denver or when the team traveled, everyone asked questions about the games, my opinions on the other players, and the other teams, Never about me. In Denver, I was always Flock but never Brody. Here, everyone asked howIwas. They treated me like family.

I glanced around at the whitewashed walls with their flags and pennants, and the kernel of an idea sprouted in my brain. “Do you have access to this gym?”

“Sure do.”

“Would it be okay to use it a couple of times? In the evenings.”

Finn tipped his head to the side. “Of course, man. But why?”

“Ro’s looking to try out for roller derby. Might need some space to work on her skills. Her speed.”

Finn coughed. “The Spitz Hollow Scalpers?” He shook his head. “They’ll eat her alive.”

I huffed a laugh. “Don’t underestimate a Swan.”

We both turned to find her. And find her we did. Standing alongside one of the smaller Tuftettes, arms above her head, demonstrating a pirouette like one of those rotating jewelry box ballerinas.

I grimaced. “We may need more than a couple of nights.”

Finn snickered. “Sure, whatever you want.”

Lexie grabbed her dad’s hand, practically pulling him away. “Dad, I have to get home. I’ve got math homework to finish for tomorrow.”

“Okay, okay,” Finn said to his daughter before turning back to me. “Let’s catch up, man.”

“You bet.” My smile grew as he walked away. He looked happy.

I let out a breath, looking around for Ro. When I spotted her, a wave of heat passed over me, and something tugged inside my chest. I wanted to be near her. Breathe the same air as her. Was that the real reason I’d offered to coach her? I’d tried to convince myself it was my civic duty or that I was being a supportive friend, but deep down, I knew differently.

She waved off the last of the parents and hurried over, all knee-high socks and toned thighs.

“You ready?” I asked.

She nodded. “I’m still not sure it’s necessary, though.”

“I am,” I ground out, trying hard to ignore the movement of her breasts against the embroidered swallow on her chest.

“Do I really need muscles? Surely, there’s more to roller derby than being tough. It can’t be everything.”