Page 99 of Kickoff

My smile must have reached my ears. “Sure. I’ll shower and change and meet you at your place afterward?”

She nodded, not saying a word. Her eyes sparkled, and I got hypnotized by her beauty.

The time we spent together hanging in the air on the Ferris wheel sealed something in our friendship. I still wasn’t sure what it was exactly, but I could feel how she looked at me differently these days. Something I had a hard time to define with words.

She cast a glance down, and when her eyes met mine again, something had changed in them. A confused expression shadowed her face. This time, it didn’t look like lust, though, but more like she was far from here.

“Mel? You okay?” I stepped in front of her, coiling my hand around her wrist, pulling her closer, and inspecting her features.

She pulled herself back into the moment. “Yes. Sure. Sorry. I was… Lots on my mind.”

I molded my palm to her cheek. She pressed her face into my touch, closing her eyelids. “Hey, are you sure you want me to come over for dinner?”

She opened her eyes. “Yes. Please.” She coughed to clear her throat. “Come knocking when you’re ready.” Her eyes lost focus, and she swayed on her feet. I clamped her elbow in case she fainted or something.

“Hey. Are you sure you’re fine?” I tilted her head until I could look at her, and for a fraction of a second, confusion filled her gaze. From up close, she looked a bit pale, with dark circles rimming her eyes and her cheeks, hollow.

“Huh…yes. A bit dizzy. I had a long day and barely slept last night. Paige and I talked till three in the morning.” She breathed out. “I’m better now.”

“Okay. You would tell me if something was wrong, right?”

“Yes. Don’t worry about me. I’m under a lot of stress, and with the new training, the diet, school, and my work, I’m drained these days. I can’t wait for the winter break.”

We stared at each other for an infinite minute.

“You would tell me if it was something else?”

She nodded, and I let go of her.

“Thanks. For inviting me.”

“Thanks. For fixing my car.”

We exchanged smiles. A brick of the wall I’d erected around my heart a long time ago turned to dust.

Melinda Shepard’s smile was definitely the most beautiful thing ever. It brightened even the grayest of days. And now I had the certainty my heart would never be whole without her holding it.

Later that night, we returned to my place and were in my bedroom, watching a movie, sitting on my bed. Melinda lay half spread on top of me, my fingers entangled in her hair. This had to be the most confusing relationship I ever had with a girl—and the only real relationship I’d ever had with a girl if I was being honest. We were acting as if we were dating, but there had been no attempt to take things further since we had the conversation that night at the fair.

“I should let you go so you can catch a full night’s sleep. You have a meet tomorrow and need the rest. Do you want me to prep you a snack before you leave? You only ate the veggies on your plate at dinner and a small piece of chicken. You must be starving.”

“No. It’s my night-before-meet diet. Lean protein and vegetables. I’ll have a breakfast with carbs in the morning.”

“Mel. I promised myself I wouldn’t say anything, but this seems a bit harsh.” I propped myself up on one elbow to look at her. “I’ve worked with trainers and nutritionists for years, and they’ve never put me on such a restrictive diet. It’s not like you’re training for the Olympics. Are you sure you’re in good hands and these people know what they’re doing?”

“Mase, don’t worry, okay? It’s all under control. It’s only temporary.”

I lowered my hands to her hips. “You look exhausted all the time and those headaches… I’m not trying to piss on your training program here, I’m just…”

Her lips lingered on my jaw in a soft kiss. “Thanks, but I’ll tell you if it’s not the case.” She rested her face in the crook of my neck.

“Even though I believe you should ask them to review your training and diet programs, I’ll mind my own business, but I still think you should be in bed.” I checked the time on my phone. “It’s almost midnight.”

“Mm-hmm, I’m going now.” A yawn passed her lips. “It’s hard because you make such a great pillow.”

“Not sure your dad will invite me over again if you fall asleep here.”

“Probably not.” She sounded like she was already halfway to dreamland. “I’m just so comfy.”