Page 55 of The Keeper
“Yeah, I know. It doesn’t feel fair.”
“Here’s what I think,” he says, stepping just a bit closer. “I think when you’re done with dinner on Monday, give me a call. Even if I just swing by for a little bit… I want to see you. Not around others.”
My face flushes as his eyes skate over me, and I’m suddenly a bit more conscious of my sweaty, exhausted appearance. Suddenly I remember Charlie’s joke about being sweaty and sexed up and sneaking off to the locker room with Mack for a little hands-onpractice. I feel my flush spread down my neck and I break out into nervous laughter.
Mack’s brow crinkles with confusion.
“What did I miss?”
I swallow my laughter and adjust my bag over my shoulder, looking away from Mack for a moment to collect the nerve to tell him. But my shit-eating grin is still plastered to my face.
“Just something wildly inappropriate that Charlie said to me.”
He raises his eyebrows in question. I purse my lips.
“Lets just say it involves this exact scene, but ending with us in the locker room.Alone.”
His eyes become just slightly hooded at the idea and he bites his lip.
“Oh really?”
I nod, still surprised that I shared that little story with him.
He leans in towards me, his words a whisper.
“Let Charlie know I love her idea and might have to make sure that particular scenario happens sometime.”
My eyes widen and I can’t force myself to maintain eye contact. I let out one more uncharacteristic giggle, then bury my face in my hands. Peaking at him through my fingers, I manage to squeak out an, “Alright, I’ve gotta go. Bye.”
And I take off towards the locker rooms, Mack’s hushed laughter sounding from behind me.
* * * * *
“As much as I wish MLS games were better attended, there really isn’t anything better than plenty of arm space and propping your feet up in front of you.”
Charlie smiles and shakes her head.
“Missed you this past week, girl. Where you been?” She sits a bit sideways on the seat, tilting her body towards mine to give me her attention.
“Just busy,” I reply, taking a massive bite of my hot dog. “You know… doing… stuff.”
She snorts.
“Thank you for the insight into your life. That wasn’t vague or evasive atall.”
She waits while I swallow down my food and take a sip of the water next to me.
“Mack and I are trying to figure it out.”
I nearly drop my food at the sound of the squeal that comes from Charlie’s mouth. Swear to God, girl has some pipes on her to rival an opera singer.
“Iknewit. Isoknew it.” She’s now bouncing up and down in her seat.
Part of me wants to roll my eyes at her excitement. The other part of me loves how thrilled she is for me. Charlie is one of those girls that can always put aside the shit in her own life and become completely immersed in the life of her best friend.
I smile a reserved smile at her. Even though Charlie is the closest and most important friend I’ve ever had, I still find it difficult to gush to her about the things that make me happy. Mostly because I’m usually sure that the happiness is usually temporary or a fluke, and I don’t want to hear the pity that results from the inevitable fallout.
“You been boinking?”
