Page 9 of Fast Break
Nine
Palmer
Riding high on our first win of theseason,practicewent off without a hitch.
We ran drills all morning, hitting all the fundamentals of scooping, cradling, and passing.
I practiced clearing with Donovan, the goaliecoach, and Jackie, withTishaencouraging us and offering tips.
After a shower and lunch, we watchedgamefilm in the meeting room and broke down the Stars' offensive and defensive plays.
Our new offensive coordinator,CoachKayla, did an impressive job of pointing out the subtle flaws in the Philadelphia team's defense.
Afterward, I approach her to tell her so.
"Thanks,"she says."I know it's nerdy to say this, but I honestly love poring overgamefilm and finding all the nuances, so we can exploit them and kick their asses."
Ilaugh."You're from Ohio?"
"Mm-hm."
"Did you play at Ohio State?"
She hesitates, then flashes aquickgrin."I went to a small liberal arts school outside Columbus. It was barely DIII. I played for a couple of years, but had to give it up."
I couldn't imagine giving up my career. Even in the face of my parents' disapproval, I've stuck with it. It's my one form of rebellion."Well, you're a greatcoach. Too bad you couldn't keepplaying."
She swipes through her phone and turns it around so I can see the photo on her screen. It's a little girl, maybe seven or eight, smiling wide enough toshowher two missing front teeth."Some things mean more than thegame."
"She's adorable. What's her name?"
"Shea."She looks at the photo once more before switching off the screen andputtingit back in her pocket."You know, you're looking good out there, too. Keep up the good work."
She pats me on the shoulder and says her goodbyes to the room. I check mywatch. It's three-thirty. I shoot a text toCharlieas I head out of the building.
Me
We're released. What time did you want tomeetup?
His reply comes a few seconds later.
Charlie
I'm off at five.Pickyou up around six?
Me
I canmeetyou somewhere. Save you the crosstown trip.
Charlie
Absolutely not. A gentleman picks up his date.
Me
I thought you didn'tdate.
Charlie
I'm still a gentleman. Text me your address.
Me
What should I wear?
Charlie
Whatever you're most comfortable in.
Me
My pajamas?
Charlie
Depends. Are we talking sleepshirt or shirt and pants?
Me
Tanktopand tiny shorts.
Charlie
You're killing me, Smalls. I'm trying to be gentlemanly.
Me
What if I don't want you to be a gentleman?
Charlie
That'll come later... and so will you. When it's time.
I make it home in record time to get ready.
I've just finished adjusting my breasts and second-guessing my choice of attire when the intercom buzzes. Six sharp.Charlieis hot and punctual.
I check the camera to confirm it's him and press the button to let him up. A minute later, there's a knock on the door. I take adeepbreath, then open it."Right on time."
His smile freezes in place. His eyes wander down my body, then back up, pausing on my breasts before moving to my mouth and finally my eyes. His Adam's Apple bobs with a swallow."Wow."
My neck heats, the flush creeping its way up to my cheeks."Not too much?"
He traces the sweetheart neckline, tickling the skin of my bosom, and shakes his head."Are you comfortable?"
"Yes, and... it has pockets."I put my hands in the pockets of the coral sundress I chose and twirl, the scalloped hem emblazoned with hummingbirds flaring out so it looked like the birds were in flight. It's one of the few pieces of my wardrobe chosen by my mother I actually liked.
Charliewhistles."Very nice. But we should go now, or we may not make it out of here."
He offers his elbow and I slip my hand through. I grab my keys and crossbody with my other hand and shut the door, checking the auto-lock engaged."So where are we going?"
"You'll see."
He guides me out the door to his car, which is double-parked."I should've given you the garage code so you could park underneath,"I say, sliding into the front seat of the dark blue Toyota.
"Next time."He closes the door and walks around to the driver's side. Traffic inBaltimoreon a Friday evening is its typical clusterfuck, but at last we're on the beltway heading out of town.
I scroll through the saved stations on his satellite radio to distract myself from my nerves and select a surprising one. Dolly Parton sings about love being like a butterfly."I wouldn't have pegged you as a country fan."
He laughs."Classic country. I grew up listening to Dolly, Patsy, Merle, Kenny."
"Johnny Cash?"
He scoffs andgivesme an incredulous look."Of course."
"Huh."I settle back in my seat."We've been friends for a few years now, but I know shockingly little about you. So tell me. Who isCharlieSalinas?"
The corner of his lipspullsup, showing a hint of a dimple."Just a guy taking a beautiful woman out on this lovely May night."
"Seriously."I face him best I can with the seatbelt restraining me.
"You know all about me since you did the interview.
But where are you from? You said you have a brother–is he your only sibling?
What's your sign? How old are you, for that matter?
IsCharlieshort for Charles, or is it justCharlie? "
Heshootsa glance my way."All right. I'm from Annapolis. I have one brother,Matt. I'm a Cancer, I think. I'm thirty-three. And neither."
"Neither? What do you mean, neither? What else isCharlieshort for?"
"Carlos,"he says with alaugh."My name is Carlos Alejandro Salinas.
My brotherMattis Mateo. My grandparents immigrated from Mexico fifty years ago, when my father was ten, and he faced a lot of racism growing up as Miguel.
He didn't want that for us, but he still wanted to honor our roots.
My grandparents and extended family call us Carlos and Mateo, but to the rest of the world, we'reCharlieandMatt.
Although my brother's girlfriend calls him Matty, but she's the only one allowed to. "
"Noted."I chuckle, then frown."How do you feel about that? Does it ever seem like you're hiding who you are?"
He purses his lips."I guess I never thought about it. I don't hide that I'm Mexican-American, but it doesn't come up all that often."
"Do you speak Spanish? I tried to learn French, but it didn't go well.
We took a trip to Paris and I tried topractice, but everyone I spoke to pleaded with me to stop assaulting their language and parlee-voos-Anglish .
"I snicker when I catch him wincing."It's okay, you canlaugh. I know it's terrible."
He laughs with me."I can get by, but I'm most fluent in swear words. I was a brat as a kid and I didn't want to learn. Matt's a natural. He canholdconversations with my parents and often does, just to tick me off."
"What do your mom and dad do?"
"Mom was a seamstress,"he says, pride evident in his voice."Had her own shop doing custom tailoring until the arthritis. My dad was a carpenter. He retired after forty years with the same company and now takes on the odd custom woodworking gig so he and my mom can travel."
"So that's where your creativity comes from. I'm impressed."
He snorted."Hardly. I've never been very good at handiwork like my parents and my brother. He's a professional carpenter like our dad."
"Don't sell yourself short."I squeeze his arm. My hand lingers on the hard muscle underneath, and when he flexes, I remove my hand and try to hide my blush.
Charlie'sdimples deepen, but he doesn't mention it. He exits the highway, but I've missed the sign announcing where we're going."What about your parents?"heasks. "Do they go to many games? I could make sure we get some footage at the next one, if they'd be okay with it."
I twist the fabric of my skirt as I answer.
"They haven't seen me play since college.
I think I told you before, they don't consider this a real job.
I'm supposed to go to work for my dad until I find a suitable husband, pop out a few grandchildren, and join my mother on her charity boards.
It's embarrassing to them that I play a sport, while their friends' kids are all CEOs or lawyers or doctors, or married to CEOs, lawyers, or doctors.
The only time I've ever done something they actually approved of was moving in withBrennan. "
Charliedoes a doubletake, which would have been comical if it weren't in response to my pathetic reality."You're kidding, right?"
"No. They lovedBrennan. He was clean-cut, worked for a prestigious finance firm, wore Brooks Brothers and Ferragamo. Golfed with my dad, helped connect mom with donors. At least with him marrying my cousin, they'll keep him in the family."
Charlieis silent for a long moment, so long I regret letting all that spill out. He's taking me out because I asked him to teach me how to have casualsex, essentially. He already knows I'm pathetic. I don't need to hammer the point home.
"You're amazing. I'm sorry your parents can't see that."
He puts his hand on my knee and squeezes. I give him a surprised smile, covering his hand with my own. I'm saved from having to respond when he turns down a dirt road leading to an oversized barn. Hepullsinto a marked spot and turns off the engine.
"We're here."