Page 36 of Penalty Kick

The old barn that had been converted into a restaurant sat nestled into a small hill, overlooking a park. The sun was just starting to set, giving the sky a yellow glow, making everything around it do the same. It was the kind of moment that had the potential to feel romantic, other than the teenager currently holding the door open for the older couple exiting behind them.

Talia smiled at Tanner, letting him know he did the right thing holding the door as the pair made their way past her and Dash. Time with Tanner was never a bad thing—he was an amazing addition to her life, and even though it had only been a few months, she couldn’t imagine not having this friendship. Still, when she had mentioned grabbing pizza after training, she had meant for it to be just her and Dash. No chaperones. There wasn’t a single part of her that could argue, though, when Dash had turned to Tanner after practice and asked if he wanted to join.

“But you know what is better?” Dash continued once the couple was well past them.

Tanner shook his head emphatically, a broad smile on his face. Dash was his hero, so getting to spend time with him like this was a dream come true. Talia had to admit, time like this with Dash was starting to become a dream come true for her as well, which was something that she never would have thought she’d say. Especially after his behavior after the Fremont Cup. But the more and more she got to know Dash, the harder time she was having reconciling that with the cocksure, hotshot athlete that he’d been before.

Or maybe that’s just how you wanted to see him…

“You better tell us before Tanner explodes,” she laughed.

“Ice cream.”

“Yasssss!” Tanner shouted, arms thrust in the air as if he had just scored the winning goal.

Jogging down the ramp, Tanner motioned for them to hurry. Despite the beautiful night, it was still a weekday, so the parking lot and the picnic tables were mostly empty, letting Talia know there probably wasn’t much of a line at the ice cream shop that occupied the lower level of the converted barn. Still, Tanner seemed ready to burst at the seams.

Slipping his hand into hers, Dash gave her a wink. The butterflies that had occupied her tummy all evening long fluttered again. Had it been just them, she would have considered kissing him. It was a move totally out of character for her, yet somehow, she’d thought about it for a good portion of dinner. Every time he’d lifted a slice to his mouth, watching as he wrapped his lips around it to take a bite, she’d been mesmerized.

Maybe I just need to get laid…oh…wait…

Then there was that whole thing. They had talked about so much over the last few days, gotten to know each other on a much deeper level than just player and coach’s daughter. Still, Talia hadn’t found a way to work her big secret into the conversation. After all, it was a doozy. Just how did one casually mention that they were still a card-carrying member? Virginity was not a sexy topic. Even less so at her age.

Dash was a man of experience—which scared her. A lot. She wasn’t ready to hand over her V-card quite yet, but she wasn’t ruling out the possibility. Would he be as understanding and gentle with her in bed at he was with the kids on the field? Or would it send him running? The more time she spent with him, the more she believed that he wasn’t just interested in a one-night stand or simply in getting in her pants. But that didn’t mean he had any interest in being her first.

“It is hard to believe sometimes that he is the same age as Maria,” Dash said, opening the door to Cones and gesturing for her to walk in ahead of him. “He is still such a big kid.”

“And Maria isn’t?”

Dash shrugged. “She has moments. But she tries very hard to make everyone think she is a grown-up. The clothes, makeup, all that.”

“I’m sorry she’s not coming.”

“It is what it is.”

“It’s not,” she insisted. Glancing over at the counter, she caught a glimpse of Tanner peering inside, trying to pick his flavor. Giggling softly, she tried to hide her smile, not wanting Dash to think she was making light of the moment.

“Do not stop smiling because of me, Bonita. Your smile makes it all better.”

Shit, was it hot in here? The small lobby suddenly felt like a sauna, heat crawling up the back of her neck. She’d never taken herself for the kind of girl that blushed when a guy complimented her. Apparently, she was.

“When was the last time you got to see her? Just before moving here?”

“Sí. I left Buenos Aires just after Christmas. So it has been since then. We talk once a week, but…”

“It’s not the same as seeing them. I text with Bert and Doug all the time, but seeing a picture of the sketch Doug did in art class isn’t the same as seeing the sketch itself.”

“He is good at art?”

“He is. Bert takes after Dad and is very good with numbers and is always at the top of his class. But Doug…he’s very different from Bert. He has both dyslexia and dyscalculia, so struggles with letters and numbers. When he was much younger he really struggled with visual comprehension. He’s improved as he’s gotten older, but some things are still tough. There were a lot of meltdowns in our house as he was learning, because he got frustrated that he couldn’t understand like the rest of us. One of his special ed teachers did some art therapy with him, helping him channel his frustration through drawing. And he’s really talented.”

“Was he what inspired you?”

Inspired. She had never thought of it that way, but it fit. Leave it to Dash to find just the right thing to say.

“He was. I would help him with his homework, and I really enjoyed it. It was…rewarding? I guess. I don’t know how else to put it. But Doug is definitely where my love of working with kids who have disabilities comes from.”

Turning back to Tanner, her heart squeezed. She wished everyone could see what she saw in him.