Page 28 of A Play For The Heart
“Sorry, man. Didn’t see you there,” He doesn’t even try to make the apology believable.
“Seriously? You didn’t see me?” I’m tired, sore, and confused about where I stand with Sawyer. Which means I am not in the headspace to deal with Declan and whatever shit he has going on.
“Nah.”
“What is your problem?” This version of Declan is so far from the one I knew at Notre Dame. That version was cocky and goofy, but he was a good person. The person standing in front of me is not that. “You know what,” I hold my hand up. I don’t want him to answer, “I don’t care. Figure your shit out. Don’t take it out on me or Sawyer.”
Turning back around, I continue packing up my gear and heading to the showers. His face is blank at the dismissal and I ignore him when I come back out. This day has turned to shit and all I want is to see Sawyer. Her presence has a calming effect on my soul.
Suddenly, a thought occurs to me. I spin around the locker room, eyes searching the space. I might as well use my need to see Sawyer as an opportunity. I did some very important research for my plan, a.k.a I watched every romcom on Netflix. One common theme? The hero does something special for the heroine to show he knows and cares about her. And I have just the idea.
Spotting Deon and Jack on the other side of the room, I wander over to them, ready to convince them to join me on my adventure and give up their free time for the pursuit of love.
“What are you guys doing this afternoon?” I ask them both. The two of them put their street clothes back on as they get ready to leave.
“I didn’t have anything planned. Why?” Deon responds, Jack nodding.
“I have an idea and I need you two to help me.”
I explain my idea to them, and they both immediately agree. I tell them when and where to meet and then nearly skip out of the practice facility, excited to execute my idea.
I zip into the parking lot where Jack and Deon are already waiting for me, leaning against the side of Jack's pickup truck.
“So, this is where Sawyer works?” Jack asks, looking at the non-descript brick building and the GameChangers logo.
“Yeah, the after-school program just started, so it’s perfect timing.”
With that, I lead Jack and Deon into the building and head towards the receptionist. It’s probably not the best idea for the three of us to just wander around while the kids are here without anyone knowing. Sounds like a public relations nightmare.
“Hi,” I say to the receptionist to get her attention. “We’re here to see Sawyer. Could you let her know?”
“Sure thing,” She smiles at me, glancing over at Jack and Deon. “Why do you need to speak to Sawyer?”
“I’m close friends with her and thought we would stop by and surprise her and hang out with the kids.”
“You want to hang out with the kids?” she asks us, her eyes narrowing as she sizes the three of us up. I suddenly feel uncomfortable and can see how odd my explanation is. And creepy. Definitely creepy. “Just wait here for Sawyer.” The three of us stand awkwardly in the lobby when the receptionist informs us that Sawyer is on her way.
Suddenly, my palms are sweating, and an alarm sounds in my mind. What if she thinks this is a bad idea or is upset I interrupted her at work? I didn’t think about the fact that we might not be able to just walk in as volunteers. I’m sure there's some kind of protocol to vet the people who work here.
I’m beginning to tumble down a rabbit hole when Sawyer walks through the door and falters a step.Oh god. She doesn’t want us here.She recovers quickly and makes her way over to us, her ponytail swaying behind her as she moves through the lobby. God, she’s stunning. The greatest artists of all time couldn’t recreate her beauty.
“Hey guys,” she says tentatively. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” Her eyes dart to the receptionist who looks at us skeptically and ready to start a fight if needed.
I go to respond, but Jack beats me to it. “Everything’s fine. We finished practice early and Henry here thought it would be fun to surprise the kids and spend the afternoon with them.” He points his thumb toward me and grins at Sawyer.
Sawyer turns to me, a look of surprise and admiration in her eyes. Her green eyes sparkle and I don’t miss the fact she’s wearing a Seattle Mavericks t-shirt.
Is that look for me?
“You came to volunteer?” she asks, voice hopeful. The way she phrases the question has hope blooming in my chest. That my idea may work.
“Well, how else am I supposed to meet my biggest fan?”
She laughs, still semi-shocked that the three of us have decided to swing by her place of work.
“Alright then, I guess we shouldn’t leave the kids hanging. It's fine Sandy, they’re with me. They’re NFL players. The kids will love this.” She waves off her guard dog and Sandy’s gaze changes to a more appreciative one. Aimed directly at Deon and his sheepish smile. I give Sandy a nice, totally normal grin to drive home that I am not a weirdo. Just a lovesick idiot who is trying to surprise his best friend.
Sawyer leads us back towards the double doors she came from. She herds us down a hallway, the sounds of children yelling and laughing growing louder as we move deeper into the building. As Jack and Deon enter the gym, Sawyer grabs my hand and pulls me back, her small hand slipping into mine.
