Page 132 of Most Valuable Players
“Okay, well, we can try that.” I grab the book off the table between us. “The first five sonnets?”
“I’ve already read them.”
“But now that you know the form and themes, I think you’ll be able to pick them out easier. Maybe they’ll make more sense.”
“Yeah, all right.”
I clear my throat and open it to the first page and start reading.
As I’m finishing it and handing the book over to Maverick for a turn, Heath’s door opens and he steps out.
“Payne! Sit your sexy ass down and read me some Shakespeare.”
Heath takes a seat and to my surprise takes the book. “You’re reading it out loud?”
“It helped last year. Worth a try, right?”
Heath crosses one ankle over the other. “What do we have here?”
“Sonnets,” Maverick says.
A deep laugh rolls out of him as he brings the paperback up and starts reading. His voice is crisp, and the gravelly timber is easy to slip right under. His pitch varies and practically sings along the stanzas. I’m falling into it so deeply and I’m not even the one who needs to be paying attention.
Heath looks up as he’s flipping the page and our eyes meet over the top of the book.
“Do it in your British accent,” Maverick begs.
Heath looks like he might object, but then Maverick sticks his bottom lip out like he’s pouting.
Heath looks to me again quickly before he starts again. I giggle at his accent, but my stomach flips. Shakespeare will never be the same.
* * *
As I’m packingup to leave, Maverick thanks me.
“I’m not sure how much I actually helped, but it was fun. Do you feel good about it?”
“Yeah, Shakespeare’s the shit.”
I laugh.
“Next week, then?”
“Sure. Also, I was thinking, if listening helps, you could try audiobooks.”
“Maybe, but then I’d miss out on Heath reading to me.” He winks at Heath and then whistles to get Charli’s attention. “I’m out. See you tomorrow.”
The man has a point. My body still tingles from Heath’s voice reading such beautiful words.
Rhett went to his room earlier, so it’s just me and Heath as I shoulder my backpack. “He’s right — you have a really nice voice.”
One side of his mouth pulls up into a boyish smile. “Thanks. I have no idea what I was reading.”
“I won’t tell Maverick.”
“Do you have to run off or do you want to stay and hang out?”
“I can stay for a bit.”
