Page 61 of Sweet Spot
“I’m sorry. I’ve been training nonstop.”
“Hey, no need to apologize. He’s seriously fine. I’d be glued to my phone too.”
My face warms, and I shift in my seat. I haven’t told anyone except Abby about staying with him last weekend. It isn’t that I’m embarrassed or anything, but telling them leaves it open to scrutiny and I want to keep whatever is between Lincoln and me in a bubble.
“Oh my God. You’re blushing, Keira.” Erica tosses my pillow at me. “You absolutely slept with him!”
“What?” Cassidy screeches. “You had sex with Lincoln Reeves?”
“No.” I toss the pillow back at Erica. “I didn’t.”
She catches it easily and holds it up as if she might toss it back. “I don’t believe you. Your face is so red.”
“We kissed. That’s all.”
Erica and Cassidy scream and laugh. They high-five, which I find particularly amusing.
“It isn’t a big deal,” I try to say, but they aren’t listening.
“Tell me everything,” Erica says when she’s settled down. “It’s been so long since I’ve kissed a guy. What were his lips like? Where did he put his hands? Have you seen his penis?”
“Oh my God.” I laugh. “Let’s talk about why you are on a self-imposed sex hiatus instead?”
“It isn’t self-imposed, there’s just a serious lack of options.”
“What about Chapman or Han? Or Keith, he’s sweet.”
Erica shakes her head. “Does Lincoln have any hot, single friends?”
“Uh, I don’t actually know. I get the feeling he doesn’t do a lot of hanging if it isn’t work-related. He does have an in with several pro sports teams, though, so I’d say the odds are good at least one of them fits your criteria.”
She claps excitedly. “Let’s go to The Hideout and snag a corner booth and you can tell us every detail over cocktails.”
“I have to get up early, and I don’t really feel like changing out of comfy clothes.” I’ve been living in leggings and golf skirts for weeks.
Abby stands and disappears into our closet only to pop out a couple of seconds later with a bottle of RumChata. “Fine. Then we’ll just drink here. I’ve had this bottle stashed since before winter break and have been waiting for the perfect time to break it out.” More than two months have passed. Between golf and school . . .”
“And you basically living at Smith’s,” I add.
“And that.” She nods. “But, seriously, how many more opportunities are we going to have before Erica and Cassidy graduate?”
I look between my friends. Their faces are a mixture of excitement and sadness. I know they’re right, and I do want to spend time with them.
Finding a balance has been hard, and okay, maybe spending every night working with Lincoln hasn’t been the biggest burden. The man is seriously hot and smart, and being coached by him is probably the single most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me. Still, putting in all this hard work won’t mean much if I’ve alienated everyone along the way.
“Hand it over,” I say finally.
23
Lincoln
I fumble formy phone on the nightstand and bring it to my ear, eyes closed and only vaguely aware of what I’m doing.
“Hello?” It comes out in a croak. My voice is groggy, and my throat feels like sandpaper, so I clear it a couple of times and try again. “Hello?”
“Hi!” Keira’s bubbly sweet voice answers. “Did I wake you? What time is it?”
“I’m not sure.” I bring my free hand to my forehead and rub it absently.
