Page 43 of Dreams
“Exactly,” Josh agreed.
Michaela studied him, making him squirm under her gaze. Tilting her head to the side, she asked, “Who is she?”
“There’s no one,” he answered, his voice faltering over the words.
“You’re obviously spending time with someone.” She glanced at Mack, who gave her a slight nod.
“Michaela.” Jason put a hand on her arm in warning. “Maybe he doesn’t want to talk about it.”
Josh should have been grateful to Jason, but he found himself ready to burst instead. “It’s just complicated,” he finally said.
“She’s Coach’s daughter,” Mack clarified.
Michaela couldn’t hide her surprise and Josh knew she was putting the pieces together. He’d told her about meeting the new coach’s daughter at the memorial service for her dead boyfriend.
“I told you,” Josh muttered. “Complicated.”
“That’s one word for it,” she said. “Kinda stupid is another.”
The rest of their group stared at them in confusion, and Josh couldn’t meet Michaela’s eyes. “She’s still not over it, is she?” Michaela continued talking as if the rest of them weren’t there wanting answers.
“Not even close,” Josh admitted, pressing his hand against his eyes. “But, Mic, I want to help her. I have to.”
“You’re too good, you know that?” She shook her head. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“I will,” he said, finally looking around at the rest of them.
“So,” Maggie broke the tension, reaching a colored drawing across the table. “Kimberly made me promise to give this to you. She was sad she couldn’t come.”
He looked down at the lion she’d colored and smiled. “Tell her I’ll see her in January at the wedding.”
“So, why am I not invited to this wedding?” Mack asked, turning to Michaela. “Afraid you’ll want to run off with me if I’m there?”
Michaela did a half-nod, half-head shake, “That’s exactly not what I was thinking.” She laughed.
“We figured you’d be in the All-Star game that weekend,” Jason said.
Mack puffed out his chest. “Well, yeah.” His head grew larger with each word. “Us All-Stars are pretty busy, you know, important.”
Everyone laughed and Josh slapped him on the back of the head. “You’re something, all right.”
Before they left the restaurant, Michaela pulled a wedding invitation out of her purse and held it out towards Mack. “I was working on them today. I know you can’t come, but if it makes you feel better…” She waved it in front of his face and he snatched it from her.
“Aw, Michaela, I didn’t know you cared how I felt.” He held it to his heart and grinned.
“Don’t make me regret that.”
“Never.” He laughed.
