Page 6 of Sideline Sweetheart (Greenville Generals #4)

Chapter Six

Mackenzie

I finish eating and begin scrolling through my phone.

Since Bryce extended his dinner invitation almost a month ago, we have been texting daily.

At least once a week he asks me out and each time I decline.

I’m reading a particularly entertaining exchange when my phone rings and I see my mom’s name on the screen.

I swipe to answer the call before putting my phone to my ear. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, sweetheart. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all, I was just finishing up lunch.”

“Lunch? At three o’clock?” She giggles through the phone. “Your father and I would skip lunch and have an early dinner.”

“After the way today has gone, I probably will too. A hot shower, and bed sounds much better than anything else at the moment.”

“You do sound tired, so I hope you get to relax tonight,” she says making me smile.

I can always count on mom to be my biggest cheerleader. It doesn't matter if I’m attending medical school, applying for a job, or taking a nap, she wants what’s best for me.

“Thanks, Mom. How is Dad doing?”

Both Mom and Dad are a few years away from retirement, and while I help them out as much as they’ll allow, they are still proud and want to reach their golden years the old-fashioned way, on their own.

“Oh, he’s fine. I was calling to make sure you were still coming home this weekend for his birthday.”

“Yes, ma’am, I’ll be there. Do you need me to bring anything.”

“I can’t think of anything, but if I do, I’ll give you a call.”

We talk a few more minutes, before ending the conversation. I open my laptop and finish making notes on the players and then head home for the day.

Spending the weekend with my parents was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate me. When I rolled into town Friday night, Mom had prepared all of my favorites for dinner. A fact Dad was quick to point out being it was his birthday weekend.

Saturday, we gathered with the family to celebrate Dad at my aunt and uncle’s. When the whole family turns up there are easily twenty of us, and this was one of those times. Dad relished all the attention even if he pretended otherwise.

When everyone starts to head home, I begin cleaning up. I carry discarded paper plates to the trash and leftovers to the kitchen. As I set a now empty bowl of potato salad in the sink, my phone chirped with a text message. I reach into my pocket, pull out my phone, and open my messaging app.

Is it crazy to say I miss going to practice on the weekend?

I smile as I read the message and type out my response.

Not exactly crazy, but you may need a hobby.

Three dots appear as he types a response.

You may have a point.

How’s your day been?

It’s been nice. I’m home visiting my parents for my dad’s birthday. Heading back to Greenville tomorrow.

I won’t keep you then. Tell your dad happy birthday and safe travels home.

Thanks, see you Monday.

I’m still smiling when Mom and Aunt Rosie enter the kitchen with another load of dishes. “What has you smiling?” Mom asks as she sets the leftover barbecue on the counter.

I smile again as I shake my head. “A text from one of the players.”

Aunt Rosie winks at me. “Must be one hot player to have you smiling and blushing.”

I start to argue as I feel my cheeks heat. “Bryce is easy on the eyes, for sure.” I decide to go all in and tell them he’s asked me out. “He asked me out a few weeks ago, but I declined.”

“Wait, Bryce?” Aunt Rosie says. “Are you talking about Bryce Coban?”

My brow furrows as I turn toward my aunt. “Yes, why?”

“Good lord, Mackenzie, why in the world would you turn down a hunk like Bryce Coban?”

I throw my hands up, dishwater flying. “Because it’s unethical for a doctor to date a patient.”

“But are they truly patients?” Mom asks.

“You sound like Luna,” I say as I turn back to the sink.

“Luna sounds like a smart woman, you should listen to her,” Aunt Rosie says. “I’ll tell you something else, if I was thirty years younger and someone like Bryce Coban asked me out, I’d say yes before he finished the question.”

Mom laughs. “You think she’s kidding, but she absolutely would.”

Monday morning, I head to the practice facility. It’s funny, because suddenly I realize what Bryce was talking about. As much as I enjoyed being home with my family, I missed interacting with the people I now consider friends.

The conversation I had with Mom and Aunt Rosie replayed through my head during my drive back to Greenville. Maybe they’re right, maybe I should give Bryce a chance, he’s been nothing but kind and considerate during our interactions.

My uncertainty dissolves once I step inside my office. Sitting on my desk is a cup of coffee and a bag from my favorite bakery. Welcome back is written on the bag, and I smile as I open it and find a still warm breakfast sandwich.

I find my phone and my finger fly over the screen as I type out a text to Bryce before I change my mind.

Thank you for breakfast.

His reply is almost immediate.

You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy it.

I’m sure I will. About your dinner invitation…

The one I extended nearly a month ago? It still stands.

I bite my lip as I take a chance and reply.

Then I’d like to accept.

Great, I’ll call you tonight with the details.

Before I dive into my breakfast, I open the group chat with the girls and send a text.

Dinner invitation has been accepted. Meet at my place after work?

I toss my phone on the desk and take a sip of my coffee as text alerts rattle off in quick succession. Hoping I haven’t made a huge mistake.

On my way home, I stop by the grocery store and pick up the charcuterie tray I ordered earlier along with some brownies from the bakery. If there’s going to be wine involved in this evening’s date planning, we’re going to need something solid to put in our stomachs.

Before I left the facility, Bryce sent me a text letting me know we were on for tomorrow night. While his message sent my anxiety to the stratosphere, I was glad I wouldn’t have to stress throughout the week waiting for the date to arrive.

I take a few minutes to straighten up my apartment and change into some loungewear, and pull four stemless wineglasses from the cabinet, before setting the food out on the breakfast bar.

A knock sounds on my door, and I check the clock on the stove and see it reads five-thirty.

The girls are early, but seeing I have everything ready it’s not an issue.

I open the door to find a delivery person holding a vase filled with bearded irises.

“Mackenzie Flynn?”

“Yes, can I help you?”

They thrust a small tablet toward me. “Sign here, please.” I scribble my signature on the tablet, and they hand me the vase. “Have a nice day,” they say before walking away.

I set the vase on the breakfast bar, remove the envelope from the plastic holder and withdraw the card.

Looking forward to dinner tomorrow night. Bryce.

I smile and return the card to the holder knowing the girls will see it when they arrive but not caring if they do. I pick up my phone, take a picture of the flowers and send him a thank you text.

The flowers are beautiful, thank you. Are you always this thoughtful?

You’re welcome. I told you I’m a thoughtful guy.

“Something I’m slowly realizing,” I mutter to myself as another text comes through.

What are you doing tonight?

Drinking wine with friends so I’m not so freaked out about our date is the first thing to pop into my mind, but it’s also the last thing I’ll admit to him.

Having drinks with Jamie, Luna, and Allison.

Ahh, a girl’s night.

Yes.

Have a nice time. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Thanks, goodnight, Bryce.

Goodnight, Mackenzie

It makes me smile for him to use my full name instead of going with Mac. So many people opt for the nickname once they get to know me, I sometimes forget to answer when someone calls me Mackenzie.

I tuck my phone into the pocket of my yoga pants as another knock sounds on the door. I open it to Allison leading the charge, a bottle of wine in each hand. I smile and raise a brow at her.

She shrugs sheepishly. “I wasn’t sure if you’d want red or white, so I brought both.”

I laugh and direct her to the kitchen as Jamie and Luna follow behind her. I pull four small plates from the cabinet and set them on the counter next to the charcuterie tray.

“This looks delicious,” Luna says eyeing the tray.

“I figured if wine was involved, we needed something in our stomachs as well.”

Jamie grins as her hand gently traces one of the petals. “Who are the flowers from?”

I feel my cheeks heat as I open the bottle of white wine while Allison opens the red. “Um, they’re from Bryce.”

“Of course they are,” she says a wide smile overtaking her face.

“Flowers before the date,” Luna says. “Impressive. He’s already racking up points in my book.”

I laugh. “You all are incorrigible.”

We each pour ourselves some wine and load our plates with bites from the tray. When we’ve consumed about half our glass of wine, Luna speaks, gaining our attention. “Okay, Mackenzie, show us to your closet, let’s see what you got.”

They follow me to my bedroom, each one perching on the edge of the bed, wine glass in hand.

I set my glass on the dresser and step inside the walk-in closet.

I pull two hangers off the rack one the classic LBD, sleeveless with beading around the neckline and the other a royal blue halter dress with an intricate floral pattern in silver stitching around the neck and waist.

I step out of the closet and hold up the dresses. “I was thinking about wearing one of these. What do you think?”

Their eyes widen and smiles grace all three faces as they say in unison, “The blue one.”

I can’t help but laugh at their reaction. “The blue it is,” I reply taking the dresses back to the closet.

“What shoes are you wearing?” Luna asks glancing down at my bare feet.

I wiggle my pink painted toes as I answer, “I have some silver strappy heels, I thought would work well. Bryce is tall so I don’t have to worry about the heel height.”

They all murmur in agreement before Allison claps her hands and squeals. “Oh, this is so exciting! I can’t wait to hear all about your date.”

I smile at their excitement. Honestly, I can’t wait either, I hope I’m not making a mistake by going out with a player.