Page 9 of Penalty Kick

He nodded toward the training center with his head, his eyes somehow growing even bigger.

“D-aaaas!” he whisper shouted.

Dash.

Talia’s excitement plummeted as she looked in the direction Tanner was gesturing, replaced by a feeling she didn’t quite understand. Were those…butterflies? Sure enough, Dash was headed their way, all arrogant swagger and cocky smile. Of course Tanner would be able to say his name.

Forcing what she knew was an awkward smile, she looked back at Tanner. She knew how much he adored Dash, watching every game so he could try to emulate his moves. The fact that Dash was here, at his practice, was enough to make Tanner lose his mind. All Talia could do was hope that Dash would live up to Tanner’s hero worship.

And that whatever this new feeling was would disappear.

“Bonita,” Dash greeted, sliding into the open space on her other side.

So much for that idea…

“Dash,” she said in what was meant to be a warning, but somehow came out sounding like anything but. Those were definitely butterflies. And she didn't like them one bit. “Do not call me that around the team. Actually, how about you don’t call me that at all?”

“But it is what you are.”

“Dash, listen to me. I know why you are here. Your coach is my dad and the team’s owner is now my stepmother. My roommate is the team’s physical therapist. Oh, and wait for it…I was there in Vegas. So, you can tone down the Rico Suave routine. I know exactly what kind of guy you are. All the parties, and the drinking, and the women. And all that is not what the Unified team is about. It is not what these kids need. Got that?”

“That is not who I really am,” he defended.

“Then prove it.”

“I will. Starting right now, Bonita.”

Talia opened her mouth to comment again on the nickname, but snapped it shut just as quick, stopping herself from engaging. She could stand here all day going back and forth with him over this. She didn’t have time for that. Or his flirty smile. Or whatever else he was capable of making her feel. She had a team to work with.

Tanner tugged on her shirt sleeve again, drawing her attention back to him. Still wide-eyed with excitement overflowing, he bounced on his heels, seemingly too starstruck to do anything else. Talia started to speak, but Dash cut her off.

“Hi there, I’m Dash,” he said, outstretching his hand in greeting.

“H-hh-hi,” Tanner greeted. He mimicked Dash’s gesture reaching out to him, his small hand fitting loosely in that of their guest. Dash didn’t miss a beat though, encasing Tanner’s hand and shaking it like he would anyone else’s.

“This is Tanner. He is your biggest fan.”

“Really? I outrank Padre? I mean, Liam,” Dash asked, nodding toward the Irish Viking who was in the middle of the circle helping lead the stretches. Tanner nodded emphatically, the biggest grin Talia had ever seen on his face. “Well, then, I think you might be my new favorite player.”

Talia let out a laugh, unable to hold it back, her heart feeling like it could burst. Had Dash always been this good with kids? Or was this just a show because she was standing here? She had no clue, but even if all this was just for show, right now she didn’t care. She was just happy that Tanner was happy. Although, later on she was totally going to rat him out for abandoning Liam like that. Liam wouldn’t care, but he would love to give Tanner a hard time about it. Which would also make Tanner feel like he was just one of the guys—joining in on all the teasing.

“So, what’s first?” Dash asked.

“After stretching, the team usually does a couple of laps around the field to get warmed up.”

“Sounds like a plan. Tanner, how about you and I lead the way?”

“Yeah!” Tanner shouted. Without another word, he took off, not bothering to wait on Dash.

“Don’t worry, I’ll let him set the pace,” Dash informed her, giving her a wink before jogging off to join the teenager.

It was as if he had read her mind, knowing exactly what to say to put her at ease—something she wasn’t prepared to feel with him here.

Just add that to the list…

Keeping her eyes glued to them, Talia let out a long breath, one she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Side by side, Dash and Tanner led the rest of the team as they made their way along the boundary lines, Liam bringing up the rear. He wasn’t doing much more than walking, his long legs putting him at a much greater advantage than the slowest of the bunch. None of them seemed to notice though, just happy to have two of the team stars joining them.

When they were finished with their laps, the group lined up in the middle of the pitch, ready to start their drills. In two distinct lines, Tanner at the head of one, Jono at the other, they weaved their way in and out of the cones Talia had set up earlier, a ball at their feet. As each kid reached the end, Talia gave them a high five, sending them to the back of the line to do it all over again.