When We Met

I’m sure. I better go. I have stuff I need to catch up on in the morning.

Okay, I’ll text you tomorrow.

Don’t you have a game or something?

I do but there will be some downtime.

I’ll probably be busy all day.

That’s fine. U can text when U have time. Night, Court.

She didn’t respond again, but I didn’t let it affect me. Chasing Courtney had become more fun than anything I’d done in a while. It was like playing in a big game. I enjoyed the challenge. I thrived on it. I was sure the guys on the team wouldn’t understand, but I didn’t care. Let them chase their own chicks their own way.

chapter seven

Courtney

The chime of an incoming text message woke me. Reaching over to my nightstand, I fumbled around for my cell phone with my eyes still closed. My hand closed around the phone, and I tried to pry my heavy eyelids open to peer at the screen, but they refused to cooperate.

I let my arm fall to the mattress, still clutching my phone in my hand. I needed to get up. There were a million errands to fit in before my shift at Gruby’s tonight. Of course, needing to get up and wanting to get up were two different things. Ignoring the voice of responsibility in my head, I burrowed deeper into my blanket. It was freaking freezing outside, and my bed felt too good. The sound of my phone chiming again made my eyelids spring open. Who could possibly be texting me so early?

Peering at the screen, I saw another text from Dalton. I couldn’t believe how persistent he was. It was hard to let go of all the hurt I’d allowed to fester into anger over the years, but he’d made a good point during our date last night. When Dalton had gotten too busy for me, I could have put up a fight. Instead I wallowed in self-pity. The few times he tried to call I’d always acted like I was too busy. After listening to his side of the story, I probably owed him the same apology he’d given me. That being said, clearing the air the way we had didn’t make it any easier to start dating him.

Morning, Sunshine. I snorted reading the message as a sensation of warmth filled my stomach.

Who is this?

U wound me.

I bet.

Seriously. Your words are like a knife to my tender heart.

Oh Lord. It’s getting deep in here. Where R U?

At the airport.

Fun.

 Honestly, traveling is the worst part of the season.

 You mean you don’t have fans everywhere you go?

 Sure, sometimes. It’s still not like being home. Plus some of the guys are more responsible than others.

 What about U?

 I listen to Coach. Whatever he says goes.

 What about when it comes to girls? How would your coach feel if he knew you were texting me, trying to get in my pants?

 Hey! Whoa! Who said I was trying to get in your pants?

 Do I have idiot stamped on my forehead?

 Not sure. I’m not there.

Let’s assume I don’t. We both know what’s going on here. My words were blunt, but that was my intention.

 We do?

 Dalton, don’t be coy. It doesn’t suit you.

Fine. I like you, Court, and I want to go out with you even though you’re just trying to get in my pants. A startled laugh left me after reading his text. He was seriously incorrigible.

 You’re a mess.

 By mess you mean adorable, right?

 Were you dropped on your head a lot as a baby?

Go out with me again. He switched gears, no longer dancing around what he wanted.

 That would be a little hard since you’re out of town.

 I mean when I get back.

 That probably isn’t a good idea.

 Why not?

Because I’ll spend the whole time trying to get in your pants. I could feel the corners of my mouth lifting, knowing he had just read my text.

 That’s a risk I’m willing to take. Is that a yes?

The smile left my face as I studied his words. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff. If I took the plunge, there was a chance it would leave my heart bleeding and broken on the rocks below. The kicker to the situation was that I did want to go out with him. His attention over the past week was a heady experience. More than half the female population on campus would gladly switch places with me. Maybe if I kept the date fun and casual without allowing my heart to become involved like before, I would be more comfortable saying yes.

 Court???? R U still there?

 Yep.

 Will U?

How do I know you’re not toying with me? I hated that I felt the need to ask the question. It made me sound like some insecure little girl.

 You’re going to have to trust me. I’m not going to hurt you again. I promise.

 What are you willing to do?

 U mean like to prove myself?

 Yep.

 Sounds like you already have something in mind.

 Maybe.

 Let me guess, you want me to tie myself to a flagpole and declare my love for you in front of everyone?

Sounds like you’re the one who had something in mind, I teased. It’s a good idea, but I had something else in mind. I couldn’t help giggling as I filled him in on what I expected him to do. If he actually went through with it, there would be no way I could say no to a date with him. I wasn’t even sure I would do what I asked if I were in his shoes. Regardless of the fun I was having, I reluctantly told him I needed to get going.

Our text conversation played through my head the rest of the day as I tried to cram a week’s worth of errands into a few hours. Saturdays were always my catch-up day since work, classes, and homework consumed my time during the week. Sunday was completely devoted to Mom. We’d made a pact years ago that we would always make Sundays our day to get together. We weren’t religious or anything. Mom just strongly felt Sunday should be a family day. It didn’t matter that it was just the two of us. It was because of her that I never missed not having a dad. Mom played both parental roles and she did it flawlessly. We had a special relationship.

Not surprisingly, Gruby’s was packed to the gills. Tonight’s game was nationally televised, which drew a lot of attention. There wasn’t a single empty seat in the place, meaning a great night of tips for me.

The game hadn’t started yet, but the pregame show was blaring from every TV. I was busy handling numerous tables but managed to catch snippets of the a

It felt strange to watch everyone react so strongly to everything he did. Like they were all worshipping Saint Dalton. I wondered what it must feel like knowing the hopes and dreams of an entire university rested in your hands. I felt the stirrings of doubt as I began to second-guess my decision to give him a chance. How could someone like him be interested in me? Of course, that was if he actually went through with his end of the bargain. If not, I’d have my out. The chances of him backing out had to be high. My request was admittedly ridiculous. Surely he’d come to his senses and move on to the next girl.

The sound of the a