Page 29 of Penalty Kick

Shifting in his seat, heart racing from the surprise, Dash twisted, finding Liam leaning over, close enough to have been reading the conversation. Liam’s question caught him off guard. Just how exactly did he explain this?

Liam moved back, spinning in his chair so he was now facing Dash, feet planted on the ground. He looked Dash up and down, like he was appraising him somehow, making Dash feel more than a little uncomfortable.

“You really like her, don’t you?” he questioned as he finished his visual assessment. Glaring back at him, Dash considered not answering. That really seemed like the best option, even though he wasn’t sure he could get away with it. “She’s not just any girl. You can’t treat her like some bird you met at a bar.”

“I am aware. I know how special she is. Believe me.”

“I do,” Liam said, his voice and face serious. “But here is the thing about Talia. She is Gunnar’s daughter—”

“I am aware of who her father is,” Dash cut him off.

“I don’t mean that as a reminder that you’re messing with our coach’s kid. I mean…despite them not knowing each other while she was growing up, she is very much like him. Tough, but fair. Doesn’t trust easily, stubborn as they come. Fiercely loyal. So, if you’re going to start something, you have to mean it and be willing to let her set the pace.”

Letting Liam’s advice sink in, Dash glanced back at his phone, Talia’s unanswered question still staring back at him. He did mean this. She was what—who—he wanted. He wanted to prove to her he wasn’t who she thought he was. To show her who the real Dash Lazaro was.

“I know I have not always acted in such a way, but I do want what you and Avery have, Padre.”

“With Talia?”

“Sí.”

“Then I believe you have a question that still need answering.”

“I do?”

Liam pointed to the phone in his hands, the screen having shut off, currently displaying the Atlanta Rising logo screensaver. Dash nodded. He did have a question to answer.

Talia’s question.

Dash: Because you intrigue me, Bonita.

CHAPTER NINE

A myriad of sounds and brightly colored, flashing lights greeted Dash as he stepped out of the car. Trying to take it all in he felt overwhelmed at the sight. To say that he had never seen anything like this would be an understatement.

After his initial confusion over the event, Talia had launched into a barrage of texts telling him all about what to expect, complete with pictures and personal anecdotes from her childhood. Her excitement was palpable, even through the digital communication. Every time her name popped up on his phone, he could feel himself grinning like an idiot, sure that anyone who was watching him would have laughed. But he didn’t care—all that mattered was that Talia had agreed to go out with him.

She had been nothing but professional at their practices with the Unified team this week, not even acknowledging their plans. Especially when two of the players’ mothers had approached her concerned over his helping out with the team. That was the last thing he needed—more doubt being sown into her mind.

She’d defended him—sort of—assuring the women that he was on his best behavior and that their children wouldn’t be exposed to anything sordid. The rest of the time he was on the receiving end of a borderline cold shoulder, which had almost set him on edge. Where was the girl who had been flirty the night before, sending him winky emojis and slipping in a comment about how he could win her a teddy bear while she was listing off the different games that would be there?

At one point he’d thought about cornering her and asking, but stopped himself, remembering what Liam had told him. Let her set the pace. So he kept it to himself, glad he did once the texts started up again that evening, complete with more winky emojis.

Looking around for her now, Dash tried to digest everything he was seeing. Talia might have sent him visual aids, but nothing could have prepared him for what he was looking at.

The large, open field was filled with booths and stalls, each one just as colorful and wild as the last, boasting items such as peanuts, deep fried Oreos, and cotton candy—whatever that was. In the distance was a Ferris wheel, which was surrounded by some other rides that were making Dash’s brain feel like scrambled eggs. Or maybe that was all the bells and whistles and flashing lights. Either way, it was a lot to take in.

“You look…well, baffled,” Talia greeted.

The massive smile and the soft, warm look in her hazel eyes made Dash’s insides heat up, stealing his attention from the insanity before him. Taking a moment to let his gaze drift up and down her, Dash sucked in a deep breath, reminding himself to behave. She looked too good for words in her jeans and plain blue tee, making him want nothing more than to haul her into him and kiss her. But he knew he couldn’t do that. Talia wasn’t just some random girl he’d met at a bar, who was impressed solely by him being a professional athlete. She was different. That meant he had to be different too.

"It might look just like the pictures you sent, but is very different in real life.”

Talia giggled, stepping in close enough that for a moment Dash thought maybe she was going to hug him. That was, until she stopped herself. His stomach sank, hating that she wasn’t sure how to act. Nervousness was written on her face, making him scramble for something to do or say. Anything that would ease the tension she was feeling.

“I am excited to experience this for the first time with you, Talia,” he continued, hoping that the use of her name would be comforting.

Her shoulders relaxed, and her smile brightened. That seemed to have worked.