“Lynni?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re kidding me right?”

“He just said he thought it was a long drive for me to go alone and that-”

“Oh, my God, this guy is too much,” Sydney’s tone changed from playful to exasperated. “Please tell me you see it, Lynn.”

“No.” She insisted. “Because it’s not what you’re thinking. He asked if my aunt could go with me. He thinks it’s a long trip to take alone. All he said was if he didn’t have to work he would’ve offered to take me. But he is, so he can’t.”

“Lynni”

“What?”

“Promise me something.”

“What?” Sarah was so frustrated. Coach Rudy had gotten her through today and now Sydney was turning it all around.

“You know that voice that tells you to not read too much into anything?”

“Yeah?”

“Ignore it. From here on anything you think is kind of funny about this guy, question it. Okay?”

Sarah was so exhausted she didn’t want to argue with Sydney. She agreed even though she knew she had nothing to worry about.

CHAPTER 27

Playing pool with the guys always helped Angel relax. This was the first time Eric had come over since New Year’s. Alex and Sofia were both working the restaurant but would be home soon. Angel wasn’t too sure if having Eric there was a good idea. He had talked to Alex briefly about Eric not being to blame, but Alex was dead set against having him around Sofia when no one was around. Angel hoped that didn’t mean he’d make a scene even if everyone was around.

It had been another slow bitter weekend for Angel. His mind on the usual and it was getting real irritating. Being that close to Sarah on Friday made him realize he wasn’t even close to being over her. Her resentment toward him had confused him. He was the one that had gotten duped. Did she really expect him to just accept another guy in her life? That wasn’t happening. Though being that close to her for the first time in so long made it tempting to accept anything just to be with her.

He knew better, though. Having to deal with her being out of state would be hard enough. But knowing she’d be with Sydney would make it impossible. There was no way it would work.

As if things weren’t bad enough already, the tension had been lifted full throttle with this coach thing. He hoped Sarah knew better than to fall for that guys shit. The smug look on the coaches’ face was the new image imprinted in Angel’s head. And he welcomed the challenge. Teacher or not, Angel had no qualms about taking him down.

Eric racked up the balls. “Your break, Angel.”

Angel leaned over and took a shot. The balls scattered violently and one flew off the table. Romero laughed. “Easy, killer.”

“Dude,” Eric bent over and picked up the ball from where it had rolled. “What are you doing?”

Angel ignored them and bent over to shoot again. Sofia and Alex walked in from the side gate. Angel noticed Eric stiffen. The ball he hit went in and he took a moment to chalk his pool stick.

Sofia walked toward them instead of the kitchen door and Alex followed behind her. She smiled brightly without a care in the world.

Alex sat on the barstool between Eric and Sofia. To Angel’s relief, he acknowledged Eric but just barely with a nod.

“Sarah texted me,” Sofia focused on Angel but kept glancing at Eric.

Angel feigned disinterest and walked around the pool table for a better angle. “Yeah, so?”

“She was worried I might be upset about Friday.”

Angel closed his eyes for a second. This wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have in front of the guy’s. They’d have a field day. But he did want to know if she’d said anything else. He continued shooting without responding to Sofia. He’d manage to go all this time without asking Sofia anything about Sarah, he wasn’t going to start now.

Sofia put her hand on her hip, obviously annoyed that Angel wasn’t biting. “She said she wanted to but couldn’t and added a sad face.”

Angel glanced up at her and finally gave in. “Couldn’t? What the hell does that mean?”

“I don’t know that’s all she said. I didn’t respond ‘cause she said she had to go,” Sofia started back toward the kitchen door. “Her ankle’s better in case you care.”

Angel glanced at the guys and stopped on Alex when he saw him grinning from ear to ear. “What?”

Alex looked over to make sure Sofia was in the house. “I heard about Friday.”

Angel rolled his eyes. “So.”

“So, things are getting pretty heavy with Sarah and Coach Perv. I told you he was slick.”

“Sarah and Coach Rudy?” Romero asked. “No shit?”

“He just gave her a ride home,” Angel gripped the pool stick a little harder. “Your turn.”

“Twice,” Alex chuckled, “And he doesn’t just drop her off either. Valerie said they sit out in the driveway talking for a while. Friday night he was there longer than the first time.”

Angel glared at Alex. New tension cramped his muscles. “So, what did Sarah have to say about it?”

Alex still had the stupid grin on his face. “Valerie told her she thought it was kind of creepy but Sarah doesn’t think so. She says she feels real comfortable around him,” He shook his head. “I’m telling you. He’s working her.”