Page 22 of Sidelined Love

Wait a minute.

I stand from my couch, suddenly motivated by this trip down memory lane. I step over the laundry that I've yet to pick up and go back into my bedroom. I dig through the top drawer of my dresser, where I toss things I can't bring myself to throw away but have no immediate use for. My hand finds the item I want—an old, slightly faded photograph of a much younger me and Caleb sitting at a wooden chessboard. Our eyes are focused on the board in front of us as our grandfather is standing to my right, pointing at one of the pieces. We all look happy.

A wave of nostalgia causes a smile to form on my face. I can't believe I forgot about this moment until now. While I don't remember everything about that day, I remember being proud of myself as I was catching onto the rules and how you have to move some of the pieces.

I go back into the living room and place the picture on the coffee table before picking up my phone once more. A couple of text messages are waiting for me.

Knox: So now we know what Levi's going to be doing for the next hour. Trying to find out when and where the chess club meets.

Asher: Yep. He's probably at his place right now trying to plan his future chess matches right this second.

Me: Funny, assholes. Let's not act like I can't see the things you're writing about me, okay?

Wilder: And here I was, just about to start on the chess puns. Don't ruin our fun.

I chuckle and silence my phone. The teasing isn't bothering me, and I know there is more where that came from, but I now want to enjoy my food in peace.

I take another bite of my sandwich and my gaze lands on the economics textbook that I need to open.

There's an entire chapter on Keynesian multipliers that I need to read by Monday. Because nothing says relaxing weekend or peace like economic theory.

This isn't to say that I don't like economics. I do, and it's one of the foundations I need to study in order to complete my business major. Given that it is the weekend, and we don't have a game or practice today, today is the perfect day to catch up on everything else I've neglected.

But my mind is still about as far away from econ or cleaning as it can get. Because the only thing my thoughts want to do is figure out a way that I get to know Hailey better.

And that way might just be through chess.

9

HAILEY

Ipush open the heavy oak door of the Riverstone Grill in a hurry; its hinges letting out a small groan. The smell of sizzling steaks and wood smoke hits me, taking me back to the meals I've enjoyed here with Jade on occasion. I walk up to the podium and wait for the hostess to give me a smile as a greeting.

“Table for Reed,” I tell the hostess. She nods, picks up a menu, and gestures for me to follow her. We make our way through the restaurant, and I spot my father sitting at a table by the window, lost in thought.

Even from a distance, I can see the kindness in his soft hazel eyes, eyes that mirror my own, along with his salt-and-pepper hair that is swept off his face. He’s dressed in his usual button-down shirt and dark jeans, a style he's worn for as long as I can remember. As if he senses someone is watching him, he looks over at me when I'm a few feet away from him.

“Hailey!” Dad's face splits into a grin as wide as the river that gave this restaurant its name. He stands, his chair scraping lightly against the hardwood floor, and sweeps me up in one ofthose hugs that manages to be both awkward and heartwarming at the same time.

“Hey, Dad.” I return his smile with a small one of my own, settling into the chair across from him. “Sorry I'm late. I had to submit an assignment before coming here.”

“It's not a problem,” he says. “How's everything? School? Friends?”

“School's good. Professors are still assigning homework like it's going out of fashion, hence my tardiness,” I reply, picking up the leather-bound menu and scanning it without really seeing the words. “Friends are… friends. Can't complain.”

He nods knowingly. “Ah, the joys of college. Makes you appreciate the weekends even more, doesn't it?” He takes a sip from the glass of water on the table, but his gaze remains on me.

“Yeah, weekends are sacred. Gives me an opportunity to catch up and sleep.”

We're approached by a waitress with a warm smile and a tablet. “Hello and welcome to Riverstone Grill. Can I start you off with something to drink?” she asks.

“I'll have a water.” I pause for a moment and then add, “Actually, add a slice of lemon, please.”

“Make that two,” Dad says.

“Excellent. And do you need a little more time to decide what you would like to eat?” After Dad and I nod, the hostess replies, “Great. I'll get you those waters and I'll be right back.”

The waitress leaves and we're left to think about what we would like to eat. Once I decide what I want, I look at Dad as he scans his menu. I can't help but notice Dad has shadows under his eyes that weren't there the last time I saw him.

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