Page 20

Nineteen

The grass is damp and green from the spring rain this morning. I tap my ball to Zev, just warming up, and do the same thing I’ve been doing for the last three minutes—complain. “Why did I agree to this again?”

“Because she’s your lucky charm and you want to look after her.” He taps the ball back. “And if I remember correctly, it was your idea.”

“Don’t forget to get that kiss.” Lucca runs by, a ball at his feet, off course from what Jacobson has us doing.

“Excuse me?” I gripe, kicking the ball harder than the love tap I’m supposed to be giving it.

“Cruz!” Jacobson yells, jutting this thumb to the side and sending Lucca back to his place.

“She’s your good luck charm,” Maverick says, answering for Lucca.

He taps the ball to Roman, who scowls at the word. At least I have one Red Tail in my corner. “You guys are ridiculous,” he says .

Okay—so maybe he’s not in my corner. Just plain ol’ grumpy Roman Graves.

“And we’ve got Philly this week. We need that kiss, Superman,” Maverick says. But what does he know? He’s twenty-one. “Also, I think it’s nice you’re looking out for her.”

“So, you want me to look out for her while she dates another guy? And then come back and kiss her at the end of the night?”

“Exactly,” Lucca says—he’s back, and not where Coach wants him.

I shake my head. “That’s messed up, guys.”

“That’s just the situation you’re in,” Zev says. “Now if you were to just date the woman yourself, it wouldn’t sound quite so insane.”

“Date Fran?” I laugh, pick up the ball, and throw it at Zev before lunging forward and stretching out my hamstrings. “That’s crazy. It’s… Fran.”

“Is this about Simone?” Zev says, officially giving up his job as my best friend.

“It’s not about Simone.” I fix Zev with a cold, unblinking stare. “It’s about the fact that Fran and I are friends—new friends. We don’t even know one another that well. And she’s… quirky. She’s got all these ideas that are—well, they aren’t my type. She’s?—”

“Nice?” says Zev.

I grunt. “She is nice. But that doesn’t mean?—”

“Cute too,” Maverick says.

I think about Fran’s red lips. If I’m being honest, they’ve kept me up at night. But I need to focus on my game. And I meant what I said. Me and love—it’s not the time, and it may never be .

I swallow and give Zev a look that could cut. “We’re friends . I don’t want to date her any more than I want to date you.”

“Are you saying you want to kiss me, Cal? Because if so, we’ve got a problem.” Zev stretches beside me, and Maverick laughs.

“That’s not what I meant. And you know it.”

“Fine.” Zev holds up both hands. I’d love to hand him a white flag to raise. As if that would shut him up. “I’m just saying, you kissing your friend is more bizarre than you kissing your date. I thought you were shooting for less awkward in your life.”

I change tactics—instead of a death glare, I stare ahead. No looking in Zev’s direction at all. “You’re so helpful.”

“I try,” Zev says. He’s grinning. I can see it from the corner of my eye. If he’s going to pressure me, I can pressure right back. I know he went out last week with some nameless girl.

“If you wanted to help, you’d come with me this Sunday. You can bring what’s-her-name.” Let’s see how Zev likes sharing.

“Are you seeing someone, Hayes?” Maverick asks.

But Zev ignores our friend. “What’s-her-name?” he deadpans.

“Sure. You’re so full of advice. You want to help me? Help by making it a triple.” I wouldn’t mind a comfortable piece during this sham of a date—if I have to spend the day with Paul , I’d like to have some backup.