Page 112 of False Start

“So, it’s better this way. A clean break,” I sighed. “And then, maybe, I’ll be okay with just being Trent’s friend.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

TRENT

The El Caminoreeked of turf and sweat. The air-conditioning barely worked, sweltering heat baking the smell into the car even though I’d finished practice hours ago and showered since.

I pulled into Rob’s driveway and fished my phone out of my pocket, checking my messages.

Nothing.

With a groan, I dropped my head onto the steering wheel and calculated how many unanswered text messages I could send to Kit before I looked desperate.

But I was definitely desperate.

Swiping away from Kit’s messages, I navigated to Derek instead.

Hey, how’s the knee?

Three dots popped up, and I breathed a sigh of relief. At least someone in their house would answer me.

DEREK

Great. Kit’s working a double, in case you texted me to find out why she isn’t texting you.

My fingers hesitated over the phone before I asked what I really wanted to know.

Is she dodging me? Did I do something?

I’d played over the barbecue a hundred times in the four days since but couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong.

DEREK

She’s busy and her phone is shit.

That’s not really answering my question.

DEREK

You didn’t do anything. Give her some time.

I took some solace in Derek’s message. He was Kit’s best friend, which meant he’d protect her first, but he wouldn’t lie to me. I pocketed my phone and exited the car.

“Trent!” Mila called with a wave. She sat on the porch next to Lena, Noa’s wife, both of them huddled over the tiny baby laying on a blanket.

“Hey!” I smiled. “It’s my favorite girl!”

She raced off the porch, throwing her hands around my knees. “Did you bring candy?”

I schooled my face into a stern look.

“Your daddy told me no candy.” She frowned. I reached into my pocket, pulling out a pack of Skittles. “So don’t tell him, okay?”

“I can’t keep secrets,” she whispered back. “Only surprises.”

I nodded solemnly. “Okay, then tell him tonight, after dinner.”

“Good idea.”

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