Page 42 of Pick Me

My heart felt like it was about to explode out of my chest and land at Owen’s feet.

My entire body was infused with equal amounts of joy and fear, because I wanted to believe that he’d made this moment happen, fully anticipating that he’d be handing his former student some sort of award, but at the same time,

I was terrified it was a cosmic joke on me.

Howard was oblivious, of course, so I went up on my toes to try to find Meredith in the crowd, to share the holy shit–ness

of Owen showing up. No surprise, she was locked on to what was unfolding. Her eyes went wide as she pushed her fingertips

to her mouth in shock, watching Owen sort through the stack of T-shirts and envelopes.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, because it would look weird to cry on the podium.

There was no hint that Owen was uncomfortable with me standing on a dumb wooden riser just a few feet away from him, to the

point where I wondered if he even realized that I was his third-place recipient. But then he glanced up from the stack of envelopes and directly at me with a look that

said, “I’m coming for you.”

With what, I couldn’t decipher.

The mic guy announced the first- and second-place winners, and Owen handed over their swag with a smile. Then he was right there , just inches away as mic guy called out our names.

Owen handed the shirt and envelope to Howard first and gave him a firm handshake. I swallowed hard as he took a half step

and ended up in front of me.

“Congratulations,” he said, poker-faced. “I knew you could do it, B.”

I held my breath, waiting for him to pivot away abruptly. I was so focused on the fact that he was really right in front of

me and not in my dreams that I didn’t notice the shirt and envelope he was offering to me.

“These are for you,” he said softly, giving my prizes a shake so I’d see them.

“Thank you,” I finally managed as I took them.

“Hold for a quick photo,” mic guy said as a woman with a real camera appeared in front of us.

I couldn’t do anything but hold, which meant that I’d be immortalized in an official tournament photo on the Parks website wide-eyed and awkward, stiff-arming

the shirt out in front of me and clutching the envelope so hard that it nearly bent in half despite the gift card inside.

“Okay, thanks, folks! Next group,” mic guy said. “Group seven, report to the winner’s circle, please.”

Howard, Owen, and I moved away from the crowd. I was happy to have my octogenarian buffer, because how could Owen walk away

from my cheery partner? He’d have to at least chat for a little while, so he wouldn’t come across as rude.

I’d just lap up those precious minutes like a hungry kitten, drinking in every nuance of Owen’s responses so I could decipher

what was going on behind his placid expression.

“Did you see this one today?” Howard asked Owen proudly, clasping my shoulder. “What a star!”

Owen’s face was softer than I’d seen it look in a while. I’d gotten too used to the cutting eyes and clenched jaw, so I allowed

myself to feel a little bit of hope as I waited for him to respond.

“I did see her. I watched every second of your matches.”

His eyes met mine, and I had to look away quickly, because I didn’t want to cry. I still didn’t know the chicken or the egg

scenario with the CPA sponsorship of the event, so I didn’t allow myself to get too excited. Maybe the club marketing person

had signed on to do it, and Owen was forced into showing up?

“You two are quite a team,” Owen continued. “I was just as impressed with you, Howard.”

“Why, thank you.” He bowed his head at Owen. “I certainly gave it my all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find my Susan

in this mess,” Howard said as he peered around the crowd. “Brooke, I’m not sure if we’ll be playing here or at Jimmie next,

but let’s get back out there soon.”

We hugged each other, and he disappeared into the crowd. I was about to manufacture questions about the tournament so Owen

would stay and talk when Meredith and Colton crashed into me.

“Hey, you, congrats !” She shot me a look heavy with subtext.

My parents were right behind her, which meant the awkwardness with Owen would now be incalculable.

“Oh, honey, you were so good!” my mom cheered as she pulled me to her. “I had no idea.”

“I did,” my dad said. “She’s my daughter.”

He joined the hug.

“Guys, this is Owen,” I said when I finally untangled myself from my parents. “My coach. Former coach,” I added quickly. “These are my parents, David and Kay.”

I was positive that Owen wasn’t expecting to meet my parents, and I held my breath to see how put out he’d be by the onslaught

of cheerful Murphys.

“Hello! Wes told us all about you.” My mom beamed at him as she shook his hand in both of hers. “He said he wants to be your

best friend.”

Owen coughed out a surprised laugh. “Seriously? The feeling’s mutual.”

His eyes darted to me.

“So what did you think about Brooke’s performance?” my dad asked him. “Professionally speaking. Because I was just awestruck by her athleticism. Did she tell you that she used to hate sports?”

“Dad.” I groaned like I’d reverted to my easily mortified thirteen-year-old self. “Let’s not.”

“Brooke did share that with me.” Owen ignored my protest. “Turns out she’s a natural.”

I felt my face go hot when his eyes found mine and remained a beat longer than necessary.

“We’re taking Brooke out to dinner before we head home tonight,” my mom said. “Who’s in?”

“Oh, wish we could,” Meredith said. “Colton made dinner reservations for us at Bungalow to celebrate me signing the lease

on my new space.”

“Lots to celebrate between these two,” Colton added.

“That’s right . Brooke’s been keeping us posted,” my dad said. “Good for you, Meredith.”

“Owen? You’ll join us for dinner?” my mom asked him in the tone that she used when she expected agreement.

I distracted myself with the T-shirt in my hands, so I wouldn’t have to watch his face as he told the most persuasive woman in the world no.

Owen cleared his throat and gave my mom his full attention. “I wish I could. Sorry to miss it.”

My chest hollowed out, but I shouldn’t have been surprised that he didn’t want to subject himself to parental inquisition.

“Welp.” My dad slapped his stomach and looked around at us. “I’m ready for a predinner snack. Let’s go get coffee or something.

Then I’m guessing you’ll want to go home and change before dinner?”

I plucked at my damp shirt. “And a shower. Third place was still a battle.”

Everyone started exchanging hugs and handshakes for our slow farewells. I tried to focus on the pleasantries, watching Owen

out of the corner of my eye. He edged away from the group, possibly working on an Irish goodbye.

We moved toward the exit as a unit, with everyone still talking and laughing while Owen and I trudged along behind them. The

vibe in the air was celebratory, with everyone around us enjoying a day of good sport, but all I felt was worried.

I finally found the courage to steal the moment before it was gone.

“Thanks for being here,” I said quietly as we walked side by side. “I know it was a work thing, but still. It’s great seeing

you.”

He stared straight ahead as we navigated the crowds. “It wasn’t a work thing.”

A shot of hope spiked through me. We both slowed in tandem while I waited for him to keep talking.

“I wanted to be here. For you .”

I let out a little undecipherable noise, half shock and half happiness, and Owen swiveled abruptly to look at me.

“It’s what we were working toward, right?” Owen explained. “Well, one of our goals...”

“Owen, don’t ,” I cautioned, my voice thick. There was no way I wanted to dredge up the Kai stuff on what had been a pretty amazing day.

“About that,” he pressed on.

Silence stretched between us. I held my breath.

“I was hoping that we could talk.”

I sagged with relief. At the very least, we weren’t going to have an awkward “goodbye forever” on a busy sidewalk with my

parents looking on.

“Okay.” My voice wobbled on the two syllables. “Do you want to call me later or...?”

“Can you come over? After your parents leave?”

Hope took flight inside of me.

“Yeah, of course,” I answered too quickly. “I’m not sure what time it’ll be, though. Is it okay if it’s late?”

The rest of my group was now absorbed into the crowd, so far ahead of us that I couldn’t even see them. Owen and I came to

a stop, two rocks in a stream as people passed by us.

“It’s fine,” Owen said. His jaw flexed as he worked up to the next part. “I’ll wait for you as long as it takes.”