Page 199 of Coach
It couldn’t be him texting. It just couldn’t.
But somehow I knew.
I knew it was him.
M. Ricci:Hey, Shane. It’s me, Mateo. You know, from the other night . . . and the sideboard . . . but not in that order, obviously.
I tried not to chuckle, not to be amused, not to enjoy hearing his babble on the screen.
Damn it, I tried.
But my lips curled in a most unfamiliar way, and warmth bloomed in my chest.
My phone dinged again.
M. Ricci:The sideboard looks great.
M. Ricci:
M. Ricci:You should come see it. I think it misses you. I could cook you dinner to say thank you for the fine craftmanship.
Dear God, was he flirting with me using a sideboard?
And was that the cutest thing I’d ever heard?
Who was this man, and what was he turning me into? I was not a guy who flirted. I was not a flirtee. There was no flirting in my life, damn it.
But a part of me really—and I meanreally—liked it.
So I typed.
Me:Have you named it?
God, that was stupid. He’s probably laughing at me, showing someone at school the stupid thing I just said. What kind of complete idiot doeshe think—
M. Ricci:OMG! You made a joke! I just snort-laughed at practice, and a dozen high schoolers are staring at me like I have four heads.
M. Ricci:I need to go. The demons need me. Just say yes and show up at my place Friday night around six. Wear that white T-shirt again . . . please.
My cheeks ached. Why the fuck were my cheeks aching? What was that feeling?
I glanced up at a large mirror mounted to a dresser, the next project in queue, to find my face contorted, my lips curled upward, and my teeth showing. My fucking teeth were showing.
What the hell?
I was smiling . . . at a text message.
What devilry was this? What witchcraft?
Me:Fine. That T-shirt may not be clean, but I have others. No sushi or I’m out.
M. Ricci:No sushi. The T-shirt is non-negotiable . . . unless you just want to go without. I’m good with that as a PlanB.
My phone leaped out of my hand, bobbled in the air, then fell to the ground. I stood there, above it, staring down at the thankfully uncracked screen and wondering what the hell I’d just agreed to.
And I smiled again.
Chapter 15
