Page 18 of Changing the Play

Parker picks it up, scanning the page with an amused smirk. “For West?”

My heart rate spikes. “How do you know?”

They set the notebook down, raising an eyebrow at me. “It’s pretty clear, Darce. It’s based on football plays. How do you even know this?”

“He’s teaching me about football,” I mumble, looking anywhere but at them.

Parker’s fingers drum on the table. “You’re using football as a way to get to know him? That’s cute. I never thought you’d be the type to get into a sport for the attention of a guy.”

I groan. Of course they would think that. “It’s not like that at all, Park. He needs help. He’s good at football. You know I like to makerelatable comparisons. It’s like… the easiest way to teach people. To compare it to something they already know.”

Parker nods. “I’m aware of your teaching style.” They lean forward, bracing their elbows on the table. “That doesn’t explain why you’re blushing. Or the wistful sigh you let out before I scared you. You like him.”

I groan. “I like him. Which is…”

“Totally fine,” Parker interjects.

“A terrible idea,” I finish. “He’s a macho football player, Park. First off, how am I supposed to not act affected by him? Especially when he’s sending me winky faces in texts. And second off…” I’m not actually sure if I have a second off. Oh yes, that’s right. “Second off, it’s not good. There’s no way he would ever return my feelings. Big. Macho. Football. Player.” I emphasize each word with a clap and a pointed look at Parker.

They laugh. “Oh, Darce, you sweet summer child. You have no clue how many big, macho football players I’ve had in my bed, do you?”

I groan, dragging my hands over my face. “I don’t need to hear about your conquests. Like truly none of my business. But also,of courseyou have, Park. I mean, you own a mirror, right? You have that whole ethereal beauty thing going on.”

Parker grins. “Are you telling me you think I’m beautiful, Darcy?” They flutter their long lashes at me.

I roll my eyes. “Oh, shut up. You donotneed me to feed your ego.”

“No. I don’t. But I appreciate the compliment either way.” They flash me a blinding grin. “But I need more details on the winky faces.”

Crap. I forgot I told them about that. I don’t even hesitate, though. Pulling my phone out, I open my text thread with West and hand the phone over to Parker.

They spend the next few minutes reading over all the messages, their grin turning more and more smug with each swipe of their thumb on the screen. “Oh my.”

“What? Oh my, what?”

Parker hands my phone over to me. “You didn’t tell me he was flirting with you, Darce.”

An incredulous laugh bubbles up and spills out of my lips. “He’s not flirting with me.”

“Okay, so here’s what you’re going to do. When you go tonight, flirt a little, and see if you can—”

“Parker. I am not flirting with him.”

The look on their face is entirely too smug for my liking. “Yeah, that’s not what it looked like in those text messages.”

I drop my face into my hands, trying to hide the blush I know is there. “You’re insufferable.”

“Aww, I love you too, Darce.”

“Please leave so I can finish my notes and my spiral in peace.”

Parker’s laughter has me lifting my head and grinning. “I’ve got to get to the studio anyway. There’s a live model coming in today to pose for us. One of those macho football guys. You know I’m gonna be there with bells on at the chance to draw that.”

“Well… have fun with that.”

Park winks. “You know I will.”

Ugh. Way more information than I need aboutthem.

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