"This is my girlfriend, Francesca,"Meisays, draping an arm around the brunette'sshoulders."She just moved here from Indiana and she knows nothing about sports."
"And how much do you know aboutplayingmultiple voices in a single concerto?"Francesca counters, sticking hertongueout atMei.
"You got me there."Meisqueezes Francesca's shoulder and lets her armdrop. She explains,"Chessie's a concert pianist. She's auditioning for the BSO."
"Oh, I love the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra,"I exclaim."Good luck, er,breaka leg?"
"I'll take either,"Chessie laughs.
"What are you having?"Danteasks. He gestures to thebar."Let me get you the first round to congratulate you."
Mygazedrifts toCharlieagain. The woman is still talking and now leans into him, a hand on hischest. A flash of jealousy turns into dismay. This was a stupid idea. I should take his interest in this other woman as a sign.
"Um,"I look away before anyone can tell I'm staring atCharlieand point at thebottleDanteholds."How about whatever you're having. I can't stay long. Big day tomorrow."
"Be right back. Anyone else?"Dantetakes refill orders and goes to thebar.
"Anyone else from theteamcoming?"Libertysays, flipping her glossy red ponytail over her shoulder. She looks past me, her eyes narrowing. Is she glaring atDanteorCharlie, or someone else entirely? My money is onCharlie.
"Just metonight."I try to sound nonchalant."Didn't want to go clubbing but too wired to stay home, you know?"
We talk for a few minutes about our prospects for theseason, how the new offensive coordinator is doing, and whetherwe'd do better than our brother Red Hawks this year. Liberty'sattentionkeeps straying toward thebar, and a pang of pity for her tweaks in mychestif it'sCharlieshe's so interested in. I want to hop into bed with him, sure, but I know better than to expect anything more. Which is whyCharlieis the perfect candidate for my little experiment.
A coldbottleappears in front of me. I look up tothankDanteand come face-to-face withCharlieinstead. He treats me to a two-dimple smile."You came."
"I did,"I reply, my heart leaping in mychest.Calm. Down.
Charliesqueezes in betweenDanteand me."I'm glad."
My cheeks must be turning brightpink, but I keep my response nonchalant."Me, too."
Dantedelivers the other drinks and the conversation resumes. It's not long before I am so at ease, I haven't had time to think aboutBrennanor the real reason I came outtonight.Charliewalks to thebaras the conversation turns into a spirited debate over whether TikTok challenges were lame or prime publicity opportunities. He returns with two fresh beers and sets one down in front of me.
"Excited abouttomorrow?"heasks, leaning against the table to face me.
"Nervous is more like it,"I say, taking a sip of the hoppy brew."Practicewasn'tthe greatest today."
Charlieshrugs."You were just getting the yips out.Tomorrowwill be better."
He bends his head closer tomine."You'll be great, I know it."
His voice is liquid velvet, his breath hot on my neck. Desire sparks in me and the flame settles low in my belly. My lips part. His face iscloseenough, if I turn my head to the right, our lips would nearlytouch. I keep my head down andpickat the corner of the label."You think so?"
"I know so. You've got themoves, York."His voice is practically a purr in my ear. Every nerve in my body stands atattention. Myplanfor this evening is back on the table.
I'm jerked back to the present by the clatter of a glass being put down–hard–on the table.Charliestraightens, the sudden space between us doing little to cool my heated body.LibertystaresatCharliewith undisguised contempt.
"Where's your little fan from earlier,Charlie?"she sneers.
Charlie'slips flatten."If you mean the woman I was talking to, I imagine she joined up with her friends."
"Got her number in your pocket for later?"Liberty's words have a bite to them, evident to everyone considering their embarrassed glances at one another.
"Not your business, is it?"Charlieoffers a tight smile.
"Guess not,"Libertysays. She grabs her wristlet off the tablet."Well, it's beenfun, but even though showtime for the players isn't until noon,"shestarespointedly at me, and I take anotherdrinkto hide my discomfort,"I need to be in by nine. It's going to be a long day."
Meichecks her phone."I think Chessie and I are going to head out, too. She has rehearsal early in the morning. We'llwalkwith you."
