Page 13 of Breakaway Hearts

I’ll have to ask her later.

As if summoned by my thoughts, my phone rings, and Callie’s name flashes across the screen. I abandon my book organizing to answer it.

“Hey,” I greet her. “I’m just finishing up something at home, and then I was gonna head your way.”

“Perfect.” There’s a lightness to her voice that suggests she’s happy the weekend is here. I know she loves her kids, but teaching a bunch of third graders has got to be exhausting sometimes. Honestly, I think she works harder than anyone on my team. “Are you meeting me at the school? Or should I head home?”

“I’ll pick you up at school.” I drop the book at a random spot in the bookcase, cradling my phone against my shoulder. “You’re all set now? It should take me about ten minutes to drive to you. Maybe a little more if there’s traffic.”

“Yup. All the kids have left, so whenever you can swing by is good for me. I can keep myself entertained until you get here.”

“Heh.”

“Don’t make a dirty joke.”

I exit the living room and head up to my bedroom to pull on something besides my basketball shorts and t-shirt. “How can you read my mind like that, Firefly?”

I can hear her chuckle at the nickname I gave her. “Because I know you, Sutton. Just because we’re pretending to date, don’t forget I’m still your best friend.”

“I could never.”

“Good. Let me know when you get here, and I’ll grab you from the front office, alright?”

“Okay. See you soon.”

We hang up, and I head toward the door, stopping in front of the hallway mirror on the way to run a quick hand through my messy dark blond hair. It’s just Callie, I know, but since this will be something like a first date, I should at least look mildly presentable.

I smile at my reflection in the mirror, giving myself a wry look.

“Alright, Sutton. First date. First date with your best friend. What could go wrong?”

* * *

After the security guard lets me in, I walk through the empty elementary school corridors. He immediately recognized me as the person who picks up Callie most frequently and also as Reese Sutton, Denver Aces hockey all-star.

There are some perks to being a smidgen famous.

Callie’s classroom door is propped open. I pop my head in to see her dressed in a pair of jeans that hug her curves, a tucked-in blouse, and a pair of white sneakers. She’s got her face buried in a book, her plush lower lip trapped between her teeth as her eyes drift over the page.

“Good book?” I ask.

“Aah!”

She jumps in surprise, almost falling out of her seat in her haste to stuff whatever she’s reading back in her bag. Pressing one hand over her heart, she uses the other to snap her purse shut.

“Sorry.” I grimace, glancing between her and her bag curiously. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No, you just surprised me.” She clears her throat. “I thought you were going to meet me out front.”

I smirk and point my thumb back toward the main entrance. “The security guard let me in.”

She rolls her eyes as she stands. “Of course he did. Brian is obsessed with the Aces.”

“I’ll have to bring him some swag next time I come.”

“Do that, and he’ll love you forever.”

“What can I say?” I give a faux-modest shrug as we leave her classroom and head toward the school’s exit. “I’m a lovable guy.”

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