Page 27 of Matched with Her Athlete Boss
I nod and focus on the pages, finding the one I’ve stared at way too many times. A group picture of the last year Trey attended the camp. He looks like a younger version of his handsome self while I, well, let’s just say I was the late-bloomer to his right.
After letting out a deep breath, I hand over the book to Evie and the rest of them crowd around, oohing and ahhing as they take in the picture.
“Look at all these little hockey skaters,” Evie says with a big grin. “There’s Trey.”
I pause, wondering how long it will take them to find me. Seconds tick past and it’s like they all come to the realization at the same time.
“I don’t see you, Kenz,” Dani says, leaning in closer as if that will help find me in the somewhat grainy picture.
“I’m right next to Trey. On the right.” I turn around, not wanting to see their reactions to this news.
Silence.
“Wait, that’s you?” Millie asks, her disbelief thick.
I can see them through the mirror on top of my dresser. It’s like they’re trying to reconcile the differences from that picture taken ten years ago.
With a nod, I say, “Yep. The chubby girl with braces and the ridiculous set of bangs. Welcome to my never-ending awkward teen years.”
“They definitely ended, Kenz,” Hillary said.
“Thanks to you. I wouldn’t know anything about makeup or style really if you hadn’t randomly befriended me.” My mother tried to get me to dress a certain way, but it was the subtle changes Hillary suggested that actually hit home.
Hillary laughs. “Randomly? It was more like I needed to pass Algebra 2 and knew you were good at math enough to help me not flunk out.”
Millie claps her hands together. “Okay, so did you do some kind of makeover to try and get the guy of your dreams to take you to prom?”
I laugh and say, “As much as I would love it to be, my life has been far from a rom com movie plot. Hillary just helped me figure out a few of the basic style tips before we graduated. I entered college as a not-so-plain athlete.”
“You are anything but plain. Your cheekbones are perfect,” Evie says and shakes her head. “So, what was your relationship with Trey like at these camps?”
I walk over and sink into the small bean bag chair I’ve had since college. “Let’s be honest, I was the cocky girl doing what I could to beat all the boys. Trey was chill, but I doubt he ever gave me a second thought. As evidenced by the fact he hasn’t said anything since we’ve reconnected. Or whatever you call it.”
“Did you like him back then?”
I close my eyes and nod. “He was the one I always pictured as my future boyfriend. I compared everyone to him, at least until I started dating Donovan.” My lips pinch shut, not ready to let anything else out. Donovan, the real guy who I thought would be my forever.
“Donovan?” Dani asks. The other two lean in and even Hillary is interested.
“Let’s talk about that some other time,” I say, standing and taking the book back. I secure it in the bottom drawer before I turn back to my housemates.
“Check out Kenzie being all mysterious and stuff,” Evie says with a grin.
“Well, at least you’ll be working with Trey,” Dani says, something mischievous in her eyes.
“No, don’t you dare. I don’t need anyone leaking this to him or to any of the guys. You especially, Dani. Miles does not need to know.” I was always taught not to point fingers, but I’m hoping that she’ll get the point.
Dani sighs. “I just gave my vows a few weeks ago to be honest with each other. How can–”
“You can be honest without spilling your guts about this,” I say, my hand beginning to shake. That’s all I need is to have Trey remember the awkward chubby girl from hockey camp and then be weirded out every time he sees me. “I don’t think he’ll be bringing up topics where we have any connection.”
After several long moments, Dani nods. “Okay, I’ll do my best. But if this blows up in my face, I’m blaming you for it.”
“It won’t. Because no one needs to act any differently when he comes around, all right?” I focus on each of them, one at a time to get their confirmation.
I sink to the floor, all the stress of the past hour taking the energy from my muscles.
“How about a movie night? We can order in Chinese and eat chocolate.”
