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I huff out a breath, my gut squeezing. “Sure. Believe it or not, I have a pretty good idea of what that feels like.”
“Bro, you’re in the league.”
“Wasin the league. Trying to get back there. Everyone has ups and downs, man. Even once you go pro. The good news for you is you’re a rising star. I’ll take that any damn day of the week.”
Langley peers off into the distance, up at the blank scoreboard. A long minute passes and I stoop to grab my gear.
“Thanks. It was cool of you to stick around and give me a pep talk.” His voice is quiet and warmth spreads through me, from my gut up through my chest. I rise to face him.
“No problem. Keep your head in the game.”
Langley nods and waves, trotting off to the locker room and I pray that I can heed my own advice, keeping my mind on football and off the coach’s daughter.
CHAPTER 13
SLOANE
Cam’s been avoiding me since the boat trip and our maybe-almost kiss. I’m not sure what happened between the lake and the house, but he’s been acting strange ever since. Aloof and like he can’t wait to get away from me, out of Thunder Creek.
Well, fuck that noise.
I’ve had about all I can take in the guys-and-games department.
Deciding the best offense is a good defense, I do my own thing and try fervently not to worry about him. Easier said than done, but I can certainly try.
My first order of business on Monday is applying for the job I saw posted at Java Jolt. I pop through the doors of the Thunder Creek library wearing my brightest smile and my cutest yellow sundress. I could use this job—both for the money and the distraction—and what better gig is there than helping people find a good book? Nothing quite beats the blues like getting lost in a book.
Walking through the main lobby area, I pass tallshelves of books on display: the New Release section, the Librarian’s Choice picks. Off to the left is the Children’s Department, filled with toddlers eager for story time, bouncing around on the colorful carpet tiles. The same cozy bean bags sit in the corner beneath the window, the exact spot where I’d sit for hours devouring every chapter book I could get my hands on.
I sashay through the Reference section, the distinctive scent of ink and paper hitting me as I head over to the information desk.
“Hi. I’m Sloane Carter and I’m here to apply for the part-time job y’all have advertised.”
The clerk glances up at me from her computer, her fingers hovering on the keyboard. She’s probably in her early forties, with brunette hair cut in a stylish lob. Her name tag reads ‘Megan.’
“Did you say Carter? As in Coach Carter?”
“Yes, ma’am. That’s my dad.”
“My son, Langley, plays football for the team. Your dad’s quite the coach. Langley adores him.” She beams up at me and I smile and nod politely, used to people having a strong opinion of my dad, one way or the other.
To everyone in town, my dad’s Coach Carter, football coach extraordinaire. To me, he’s just dad. The man who scrambled my eggs in the morning before school and learned how to French braid for Picture Day, taught me to ride a bike and kissed my skinned knees when I inevitably crashed.
“Mabel! Coach Carter’s daughter’s here, applying for the job!” she whisper-shouts over her shoulder at the woman transferring books from the rolling cart to the bookshelves behind the desk.
“Sloane?” Ms. Mabel spins around and peers over atme. “I knew you were back in town, but I thought you were just visiting.”
Ms. Mabel swishes over to the desk, reaching over and squeezing me in a hug. “So grown. I remember when you used to come in for the summer reading program. Won the grand prize when you were only seven years old, if I recall.”
I smile, a hot blush creeping from my chest up my neck. “Yes, the summer before third grade. I got a huge teddy bear and a gift certificate to Swirly-Q. I always loved the summer reading program.”
“So, are you back in Thunder Creek for good then?” Ms. Mabel asks, scrunching her nose.
“I’m not exactly sure at the moment, to be honest. But I could use a summer job and you know I love this library.”
“Yes, dear, I do know that. But I’m afraid the pay isn’t great, not like a city salary you’re probably accustomed to. There’ve been a bunch of budget cuts, but we’re hanging in.”
“That’s fine. I mostly want to keep myself busy and get out of the house.”
