Page 87 of Kickoff

Since it wasn’t my sport nor my place to say anything, I decided to mind my own business when it concerned the swimming part of her training. Going on runs five times a week with her and spending time together at the gym to work on her figure was the part of the deal I’d agreed on.

“I’ll shower and change fast and be right back,” Melinda called from the poolside.

I gave her a thumbs-up, and she disappeared into the locker room.

I finished my homework and read two chapters of the mandatory novel for English lit before she joined me with a timid smile and her duffel bag slung over her shoulder. I grinned when I noticed she was wearing the hoodie I gave her the night I walked her home at the beginning of the semester over a pair of deep-blue yoga pants.

“I was right. This looks much better on you.”

She mirrored my smile, tying her damp hair in a messy bun at the top of her head before slipping a knitted hat on.

I shoved all my stuff into my own bag and stole hers from her grip.

“You don’t have to.”

I tugged at her hand. Even her digits felt bonier than usual. “It makes me happy. Let me.” I steered her outside to my car, and she didn’t remove her palm from mine, which pleased me a lot.

I watched her after we both sat in my car. Something was off. “You look tired.”

“I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“You were missing my amazing arms, Shepard.” I flexed my biceps to make a point even though she couldn’t see the muscle under my jacket sleeve.

She snickered. “Maybe.” Her humor died down. “I have been dealing with a pounding headache most of the day.” She massaged her temples with her fingertips. “Practice has just stolen every last bit of energy I had left.”

Since the night I spent in her bed over a week ago, we hadn’t broached the subject of our dating again. What we did that night felt like a dirty secret we shared, and I had no idea if she had any intention of pursuing what we had started. I said I would follow her pace, so I didn’t feel confident about rushing her to talk about it when clearly, she was acting like it had never happened.

“Headaches are the worst. Last year, when I had that concussion, it took weeks before they totally disappeared. It was horrible.”

“I haven’t had one in a long time. I used to have migraines when I was younger. I just hope it’s not everything catching up with me. The last thing I need is to give my parents a reason to worry about me and for Coach to declare me unfit to swim.”

“Why would they do that if it’s just a headache?”

She sighed, avoiding my eyes. “No reason. My mother is just always on my case since the surgery.”

“It sucks.” The engine roared to life, and I pulled out of the parking lot. “Hungry?”

She winced. “Not really. Headaches usually kill my appetite.”

“Do you have any plans tonight?”

She shook her head. “Unless a warm bath and PJs count as a plan.”

“If you decide it is, then yes, it definitely counts.”

She offered me a tiny lopsided smile. “Why? Anything on your mind?”

“What about a movie and takeout? My treat. I would have invited you to eat out somewhere, but I’m not sure noise and fluorescent lights would help that headache of yours.”

“We could go to my place. My parents are out with friends, so it’ll be just the two of us.”

I wanted it to be an invite to continue what went down between us the other night, but I doubted it was. “Pizza sounds good? We could add cheesecake bites for dessert. I usually eat cleaner than that during football season, but I think we both deserve some comfort food tonight. Training was a bitch earlier. Too many burpees and suicides. Peters threw up, and Jackson almost fainted.”

Melinda extended her arm in my direction and took my hand in hers. “It’s perfect. Thanks for being my friend, Mase.”

Yep, I was right. I was still stuck in the stupid friend zone. Whatever. Spending time with her was all I longed for, so for now, it would have to be enough.

Sitting beside Melinda on her bed, we ate while talking about a million different things. Melinda had changed into pink fluffy pajama pants with gray kittens printed on them while keeping my hoodie on after she blow-dried her hair. Even dressed down with her hair braided over her shoulder and no makeup on, she looked magnificent.