On The Rebound (Steinbeck U #1) - L.A. Cotton Page 0,105
of the craft tables, I began threading beads onto a bracelet. “Looks tricky,” a voice said over my shoulder and I glanced up to find Zach looming over me.
“You came.”
“I wasn’t going to, but then I remembered that my favorite girl was going to be here, so I thought, why the hell not. How is Jasmine by the way?”
My lips parted on a small gasp, and Zach chuckled, leaning down a little until I could feel the warmth of his breath. “Don’t tell her, but she’s my second favorite.”
“You can’t do that, not here.” A tingle of awareness spread through me. “Not while I’m working.”
“Do what?” He sat down beside me, one of his long legs brushing mine. “What am I doing, sweet pea?”
“Zach...”
“Calliope...” Amusement glittered in his eyes.
“Zach, you came.” Jasmine skipped over to us with a boy in tow. “Me and Joseph were hoping you might teach us a few more tricks.”
“I’m not sure we’re supposed to play—”
“It’s okay.” Freya joined us. “I’ll make an exception. Perhaps a little warning next time.” She glanced at Zach and he nodded.
“Sorry, I just thought I’d drop by.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I should have called ahead.”
“Next time, yes, but you’re here now. Might as well put you to work. Jasmine, Joseph, why don’t you grab a couple of balls and anyone else who wants to play and meet Zach and Calli out back in a minute.”
They shot off in a hurry.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Freya. I didn’t mean to just—”
“The kids loved having you here Tuesday. I know we agreed to four sessions, but you’d be an asset to the team, Zach. If you’re interested.”
“I’ll definitely think about it, thank you.”
“And this,” she wagged her finger between us, “do I need to be concerned?”
“No,” I said. “Absolutely not.”
“Believe it or not, I was young once too.” Her lips curved into a knowing smile. “All I ask is you keep your relationship outside that door. That goes for texting, calls, and making moon eyes at each other.”
“We weren’t—” I snapped my mouth shut, smothering the sheer embarrassment burning through me.
“Relax,” she laughed, “I’m joking, about the moon eyes at least. I trust you both not to let it get in the way of you doing your job. You’d better go, it would appear you have quite the captive audience.” Her eyes twinkled as she walked off.
“I can’t believe that just happened.”
“Relax, swe—Calli. You heard her, she was young once. She knows how it is.” Zach’s eyes darkened with lust as he watched me.
It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him what happened this morning, but I swallowed the words. It wasn’t the time or place. Besides, he had a flock of kids eagerly awaiting his attention.
“You should probably get over there.”
“Calli, I—”
“Go. We can talk after.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I nodded.
“Okay.” Zach jogged out of the back doors and found himself swarmed by kids. Jasmine was front and center, smiling up at him like he was all her dreams come true.
I knew the feeling.
I’d been her once. A fourteen-year-old girl swept away by Zach’s charm and irresistible smile. Only back then, it was his lost boy persona and rebel heart that had captured my attention.
Now though, it was different.
He was different.
Gone was the shy boy unsure of himself and his place in the world, and in his place stood a man. As equally lost as he was sure.
I got comfortable on one of the benches and watched him cast his magic. Wondering if I looked at him that way still.
With stars in my eyes and lust in my heart.
“We’ve got to talk to your athletic director about getting you on the team.”
“Never gonna happen.” Jasmine accepted a bottle of water from Zach.
“Is there a local team you can join?”
She shrugged. “I bounce back and forth from my mom and dad’s a lot. There isn’t much time for extracurricular activities.”
“But if I could arrange it, would you go?”
“I...” Her cheeks burned as she folded in on herself.
“Zach’s right,” I said, and her head snapped up. “You’re good, Jasmine. Really good.”
“What do you know about basketball?”
Zach let out a low whistle.
“What?” Jasmine frowned, glancing between us.
“Are you going to tell her, or should I?”
“Zach...” I shook my head.
“No, go on.” Jasmine looked eager. “I want to know.”
“My brother plays.”
“What, is he like some famous player or something?” It was the first time she was engaging with me and of course it was because she thought my brother was a famous basketball