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Her brow furrowed for a second before she smiled again, looping her arm through mine and pulling me back inside the bar. “There’s plenty of time for that, I guess. Still, I need to knoweverything.”

21

RO

Isat on the old wooden bench, swinging my feet, taking in the lake's sparkle at the bottom of the hill. I loved the solitude of the graveyard. It was the place I came to think. The place where I felt at peace. The place I came to talk to Mom.

We had quite a conversation this morning. I’d told her all about Brody. About him creeping up on me when I stood at the stove. About him buying me derby skates. His injury, my elbowing him in the balls, the boxing ring, the gym, my hair in his zipper, and finally, my accidental strip show in the Crow. I couldn’t believe so much had happened in the space of a few weeks.

She’d giggled. Well, in my head, she had. But when I’d told her about Brody and me kissing, about his hands on me in my room, she fell silent. I explained how being with him made me feel. She knew how hard I’d tried to forget him over the years. How the whole situation crushed my heart.

But then I’d told her how much he’d changed. How sweet and thoughtful he was. And she’d smiled, her voice threading through the soft rustle of the leaves in the trees. Mom had given me her blessing. Her approval of Brody and I. She understood.

Still, just like any mom would, she’d given me a word of caution. She’d told me not to jump in too soon. To speak to Brody before I decided about my future. Our future. I wanted to make sure things were right for me before I even considered anus.

With a sigh, I rubbed my eyes. I’d been up late taking part in a full debrief with Eve. She was so thorough; I suggested she call Officer Brad Pecker at the station. Get herself on the Tuft Swallow police force. I always considered Brad a good match for Eve. Besides, she’d look great in the uniform.

Of course, she thought I was mad to have turned Brody down after the Dirty Hookers night, but she understood my reasoning. And frankly, she’d been more interested in details about his body and the way he kissed. I smiled to myself. If Brody and I ever got together, Eve and I would have to set some solid ground rules for our girl talk.

I fished my phone out of my pocket, the gentle breeze ruffling my bangs. My finger hovered over the home button for a heartbeat before I pressed it, bringing the screen to life. Aside from the selfie of me and Eve dressed as Elves at the Christmas fair, the only thing on the screen was an unopened text from Brody. One word that spoke volumes. Asked so many questions.

Brody: So?

We hadn’t spoken, hadn’t seen each other since last night. I’d snuck in after midnight, being sure not to wake anybody. He and Cooper had made it home safely. When I crept down to the kitchen at dawn, I’d found a couple of abandoned beers on the counter and an empty packet of Cheetos. They were Brody’s favorite.

I sucked in my lips and opened the message, typing a reply with trembling thumbs.

Ro: So? I think we should talk, but after the try-out. My coach wouldn’t approve of distractions.

I hit the send button, and nausea churned in my gut. Mom was right. I needed to look after myself first. Try for the spot on the derby team. Challenge myself, just like Brody had said. Only then could I think about the two of us.

I glanced down at the phone in my hand. The corners of my mouth lifted as three little balls danced in the window below my message. The wait for Brody’s reply was torture, like waiting for a broken heart to heal. Finally, my cell vibrated, and I pulled in a breath before I looked at the screen.

Brody: Agreed. Business as usual this afternoon. Tonight, we talk. Coach’s orders.

22

RO

Idrew in my brows as we pulled into the parking lot of Spitz Hollow’s Spitz Shine Sports Complex. As a Tuft Swallower, I was in enemy territory now. Surprisingly, nobody frisked me at the edge of town and patted me down to make sure I wasn’t carrying recording equipment. Both Tuft Swallow and Spitz Hollow guarded their cornhole tactics fiercely.

I looked over at Brody as he brought his Mustang to a stop. He looked glorious in the early afternoon light, his profile all hard lines mixed with a softness at the apple of his cheeks. His full lips set in a half smile. We’d hardly spoken in the car and never had the drive between the two towns seemed so long.

We’d made an agreement in the kitchen at home that we wouldn’t mention last night until the drive back, and the thought of just what we’d say and do had my stomach in knots.

Brody turned off the engine and reached out a hand. His warm fingers threaded through mine, and my breath tottered in my chest.

“You’ve got this, Ro. Just remember your skills and wear that badass attitude of yours.” The corners of my mouth lifted.He’d called me badass the morning I’d worn the “Show me your Pecker” T-shirt.

Brody picked my hand up, pressing it to his lips. “Remember what I said. Use your speed.”

I nodded. The only break in our virtual silence in the car was to talk about the tryout and the best way to showcase my skills. He’d talked about me like I was a gladiator or a superhero. That he had such faith in me weighed heavy on my chest.

“You ready?”

I let out a thick breath. “I am. And Brody, thank you for coaching me.”

A lazy smile grew on his lips. “Believe me, the pleasure’s been all mine.”