Mallory’s brows furrowed. The waiter came back with Mallory’s drink and to take our order, but we needed another moment, so he left us alone again. I glanced over the top of my menu at her. She was so damn beautiful. Her dark eyes were downcast as she read over the selections. Her honey-brown skin was flawless. Those bow-shaped lips of hers were tempting. I shook my head. I needed to get my mind out of the gutter. That wasn’t what tonight was about.
It was about me using actions to show her how sorry I was for everything that had happened between us and take my shot with her. I kept quiet when we were younger. I never tried to reconcile with Mallory or told her how I felt about her. I didn’t know what would have happened if I’d dared to do so, but I wasn’t going to miss this chance to be with her. I had to try, even if she told me she had no feelings for me whatsoever. Mallory had always been the one that got away—even though she was never actually mine.
The fact that she hadn’t turned around and left the restaurant as soon as she realized it’d be just the two of us gave me hope. She was open to listening to what I had to say and see my gestures of goodwill. I had to try.
“Are you ready to place your order now?” the waiter, Jack, asked.
Mallory smiled up at him. “Yes. I’ve been wanting to come here for weeks.”
He laughed, completely charmed by her. Mallory gave him her order, and I did the same. The waiter took our menus and left us alone.
“Can I ask you something?” Mallory said to me.
“Sure. Ask me anything you want.”
“Why did you stay friends with Daniel all these years, but you pushed me away?”
I knew part of tonight would have to be about Mallory and me clearing the air. We couldn’t move forward without talking about our past. I was willing to be open and honest about it all. I couldn’t tell her that I was Coby, of course. She’d been ignoring me on the app all week for some reason. But I knew that no matter how tonight went, I was still going to need Coby. It was going to take Mallory a long time to trust me and be fully open to me.
“Daniel and I had a falling out our sophomore year,” I told her.
She frowned. “I… what?”
I could see that she was completely confused. I told her about what happened at the practice following the party. “I still sat at the lunch table and everything, but I stopped hanging out with Daniel outside of school and basketball. I hated the bet and all that shit. He shouldn’t have done it, but then to make it like you were the one in the wrong… it pissed me off.”
“Zeke,” Mallory said. “How could you be angry about a bet you were in on?”
“I wasn’t a part of that bet, Rory. I would never disrespect you like that.”
Mallory sat back in her chair, and I could see that she was thinking. Probably about what she overheard that night. “Daniel stood to win $100. What did everyone bet?”
“$20.”
Her face cleared. “There were four other guys out there with you and Daniel that night. I guess I didn’t really think about it. I assumed you were involved.”
“And I never tried to clear that up,” I stated. “I knew it wouldn’t have changed our relationship. So, Daniel and I stopped talking and hanging out during tenth grade. He lied to me, telling me that you forgave him, and that was how we became friends again. We stayed friends through the rest of high school and our first year at MSU. After I went pro, we drifted apart, and we haven’t been that close over the last few years. We kept in contact, but it wasn’t like I hung out with him when I wasn’t playing, or even called him up when I was in Vermont.”
“What put a wedge between the two of you? Your career taking off? You have a way of leaving people behind, Zeke.”
She had a point. But my friendship with Daniel was never the same after what happened. Some things occurred when we were in college that showed me what transpired with Mallory wasn’t a one-off. He was a dick who resorted to bullying when he didn’t get his way.
“I guess I haven’t learned how to focus on one thing at a time.”
“So, what does that mean?”
“For what?”
“Us. This. If you are still one-track-minded, then why are you trying to insert yourself back into my life? You’re trying to get back into the league, and since Vermont doesn’t have a professional team, I have to assume that you’re leaving if you’re picked up by a team.”
Jack returned with our meals, putting an end to our conversation momentarily. Mallory and I decided to eat some of our food before jumping back into what we were talking about. I was glad for the break because I needed a moment to think. I was so focused on getting Mallory to give me a chance, that I hadn’t thought about what would happen if she did. What would happen if we worked out? I wasn’t staying here, and basketball was important to me. Getting back to the pros was my number-one focus until she came back into my life.
“Rory,” I finally said, and she brought her eyes up to mine. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. While I was in New York, Seth told me that some teams are beginning to show interest in signing me. Getting back into the league is important to me, but I want this too.”
“I hate that you decided basketball was more important than our friendship,” she said. “But I also know, better than most, how important it is to you. It’s all you’ve ever wanted to do, and I’m not saying you shouldn’t pursue your dream. I’m saying that if you’re not sure you can handle both, decide which one you’re going to focus on before you hurt me again.”
I nodded. “I know, Ror. I wouldn’t do this without putting some thought into it. I won’t push you away because of basketball again. I’m sorry I did that. It was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done, and I came to regret it when I finally realized what I lost.”
“When Daniel had me cornered, he made a statement. I’m sure he was just trying to get under my skin, but I haven’t been able to put it out of my mind since.”
“Well, tell me what he said. I’ll tell you if it’s true or not.”
She didn’t start talking right away. She used her fork to stab a piece of salmon, bringing it to her lips. I decided to eat some more of my steak while I waited for her. I wasn’t going to rush her. We could do this at whatever pace she wanted.
“Okay,” she said as if she was trying to prepare herself. “He said that you liked me in high school.”
When I’d confronted Daniel after what went down between him and Mallory at that party years ago, he’d accused me of lusting after his girlfriend, and I had no right to say anything. He’d noticed how I looked at Mallory when no one was watching. After a night of getting drunk when we first started at MSU, I admitted to liking her. The next day I made sure to tell him I was over her at that point.
“It’s true, Rory,” I admitted.
Her dark eyes widened. “You liked me in high school? Since when?”
“Summer before sophomore year,” I told her. “It was an eventful year in our lives.”
“For how long?”
“The rest of high school and beyond.”
Mallory put her fork down and stared at me. She parted her lips to say something, but nothing came out. She tried again, but it seemed like she was at a loss for words. It was a big revelation. I didn’t have a crush on Mallory when we were friends.
“Do you remember that summer before sophomore year?” I asked her. She nodded. “My parents had divorced just after freshman year started, and my dad and I moved to an apartment not far from the university. But that summer Mom told me she was engaged and moving to Africa with her fiancé. She wanted to spend time with me before she left, so I moved in with her. Dad was traveling anyway so it made sense.”
“We were living across the street from each other, and our moms did their best to force us together,” Mallory added, having found her voice.
“Right. I can’t say exactly what changed. I know I started seeing you differently. My body reacted to you wearing bathing suits or those short shorts and tank tops you w
ere fond of. I noticed how long your legs were and how you were developing. It was a hard summer.”
“Pun intended?” she said with a smile.
I chuckled. “I guess so, since there was that too.”
The tension that my confession had caused seemed to dissipate. We started eating again. For the time being, we dropped the subject of my crush on her when we were teenagers. Mallory and I talked about nothing much as we finished our meal. As dinner wound down, I got more nervous. I’d put a lot of thought into tonight. I couldn’t exactly call it a date since I wasn’t sure Mallory even wanted that. I was second-guessing everything I’d planned over the last couple of days. Would it be too much? Not enough? Was I coming on too strong? Did I even care?
“Zeke,” Mallory said in a tone that made it clear she’d been trying to get my attention for more than a few seconds.
“Yeah?”
She tilted her head towards the end of the table where Jack was standing.
He handed me the black folder with the bill and told us he’d be back in a moment. Mallory reached around for her purse.
“I got this, Ace,” I said.
For the first time since I’d been back in her life, she didn’t snap at me not to call her that or get a sour look on her face. That was progress. I slipped my black AMEX card into the envelope and sat it at the end of the table. The waiter came back to grab it and returned with my card quickly.
“Are you ready to go?” I asked.
“Yep.”
“I thought we could do something else if you’re up to it. But I’ll have to ride with you since I came here from my PT session.”
“You came here, dressed like that, straight from physical therapy?” Mallory questioned.
I chuckled. “I stopped at my dad’s place to shower and change, but that was the only detour I took.”
“Okay. And how did you get to Burlington without your truck? Also, how did you get to the restaurant?”
“You’re asking a lot of questions, Ror,” I teased. “I flew back home last night, and since I knew I had PT, I stayed on my dad’s couch. He drove me here. And before you ask, Malik drove me to the airport on Monday morning.”
Mallory grinned. “I guess that satisfies my curiosity,” she stated. “To respond to your earlier statement: I don’t mind doing something else if you don’t mind driving. How’s your dad, anyway?”
Mallory handed her keys to me before pushing her chair away from the table and standing.
“He’s fine. Finally dating an age-appropriate woman who I like. Did you know he’s the head coach at Moo U now?”
“Yeah, I know,” she said. “My dad told me about it, plus I still watch their games.”
I helped her into her jacket before we headed for the exit. My hand hovered near the base of her back. I wanted to touch her, but I wasn’t sure if she’d be receptive to that. I knew I was walking a thin line, and I didn’t want to mess up. Mallory led me to her car. I opened the passenger door for her before hurrying around to the driver’s side. I started the car, turning the heater to full blast.
“Are you used to the winters yet?” she asked.
“I played and lived in Chicago for four years, Ror.”
“You say that as if you didn’t play in New Mexico for a couple of seasons. And then their minor league team, before a couple of other warm places. And you spent time in Australia.”
I was staring at her, but she was scrolling through her music app to find something to listen to. It took her a moment to realize I hadn’t said anything, and I was looking at her. Mallory tilted her head and raised her eyebrows.
“What’s going on?”
“You’ve kept tabs on me all these years,” I said.
It took her a moment to realize her slip-up. Mallory pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and looked down. I chuckled and put the car into gear, backing out once I made sure the coast was clear. I’d already planned our next destination.
“You weren’t supposed to know that,” Mallory told me.
“Maybe you should get better at keeping secrets.”
Mallory punched my bicep lightly. “Shut up.”
It didn’t take us long to get to the parking garage for the Marketplace. Once I found a parking spot we climbed out of her car. I slipped her keys into my jeans pocket after she told me to keep them. There was a curious look on Mallory’s heart-shaped face, but she didn’t ask me any questions.
It wasn’t until we were outside of our next destination that she finally asked, “This is where we’re going next?”
A smile curled her full, kissable lips, and her eyes danced with delight.
“Yep,” I answered.
The door to Burlington Records opened for us. I let Mallory walk in before me, and she greeted the manager on staff tonight as if they were old friends. They probably were. Mallory had been coming to this record store since she was a child. She used to drag me and at least one of our parents here every Saturday morning to browse or get a new record. Once we were older, one of our parents would drop us off and come to get us a couple of hours later.
“I’ll be in the back if you need me,” the manager said. “Feel free to look at anything you want, and a turntable has been set up for your use.”
“Thank you, Eden,” Mallory said.
Eden left us alone after locking the doors to the store. It was a little after eight which was normal closing for them. I rented out the store for a couple of hours for me and Mallory. I wanted us to enjoy being here with no interruptions.
“What did you do?” she asked.
“I know how much you loved this place when we were younger, and it was nice to see that you still do,” I said. “I wanted to do something that would interest you.”
She stepped closer to me and I could admit that my pulse jumped, and I flexed my fingers to keep from touching her.
“Did you and Stace plan all this? Was your cousin ever supposed to meet us?”
“No. He has plans with Stacey tonight. Stace was more than happy to help me with all of this and getting you here.”
“And what would you call tonight?”
I couldn’t resist touching her. My hands went to her hips, my fingers flexing into the skin there. She stepped closer, her dark eyes softening even more. It’d been so long since Mallory looked at me with more than indifference, anger, or disappointment. It warmed my heart and made me want to press my lips to hers. I wanted it all with Mallory, but I knew I couldn’t move too fast.
“Two old friends getting reacquainted,” I told her.
She studied me for a long moment. “That works.”
Mallory stepped out of my space, forcing me to drop my hands. She turned her back to me and started walking. I followed her, already knowing where she would go first. We ended up in the Smooth Jazz section. It was where she always started when we used to come together.
“You can get whatever you want,” I told her.
“I wish. I make decent money but not enough to buy more than one of these records in a month.”
“I meant I’ll pay for whatever you want.”
Mallory looked over her shoulder at me. “You don’t have to do that, Zeke. Remember, this isn’t a date, so you don’t have to buy me gifts in hopes that I’ll drop my pants for you.”
A hard breath and laugh forced its way out of me. “The shit you say, Ace. That’s not what this is at all.”
“Fine. Then here’s another reason you don’t have to buy anything for me: your money isn’t something you need to throw around to impress me or win me over. The fact that you rented the store so that I could have it to myself is enough.”
She didn’t get that that statement made me want to use my money on her even more. With Mallory, I didn’t have to worry if she was only entertaining something with me just for my money or status. She meant it when she said I didn’t have to use it, but the money was also mine to do what I wanted—within reason, of course.
I didn’t argue with her, and sh
e turned her attention back to the records. I followed beside her as she pulled some down, telling me about some of them. I noted which ones she seemed fond of because I was going to buy them for her no matter what she said.
An hour later, we were sitting on the floor on a blanket I’d brought to the store earlier, along with a picnic basket. There was a satchel as well, and a record was playing softly. I’d already asked Eden to ring up and bag all the albums Mallory had shown an interest in. I also had her do the same for albums she’d told me Mallory has been looking at for some time.
“How many books have you published?” I asked.
“Five, including a novella, so six works altogether. That’s two series,” she answered.
“Do you know what you’re going to publish next?”
“I’m working on that. I have a story that’s been giving me headaches for years, and I’m trying to finally write that first draft. But it’s still being a pain in my ass. I’ll figure out what drafts I have that I can publish in a few months.”
“How is it a pain in your ass?”
Mallory popped a grape into her mouth. She answered my question once she’d chewed and swallowed it. “I can’t get past a certain point. It’s been hard getting any words that I like down for this story. It keeps stalling out.”
“That has to be frustrating,” I stated.
“It is, and I’m having the hardest time letting it go. I have other ideas, other series I could be working on, but I don’t want to give up on this story. My mentor feels the same way.”
I knew about her struggles with the book she was trying to write now. She admitted a lot more to Coby, but I didn’t push her to tell me more. It didn’t seem like she wanted to elaborate on the topic.
I pulled the satchel closer and said, “This is for you.”
“Zeke,” she said. “You don’t have to do all this.”
“I know I don’t. I want to, Ace. I have a lot of making up to do.”
Mallory took the satchel and flipped it open. She pulled out the first book, and I could see the shift in her when she read the title.
Doubletalk (The Busy Bean) Page 12