Read Midnight Surrender (A Paranormal Romance Anthology) Page 13

  ****

  Rushing through my shower, I got dressed. Readying myself to head home, a couple of guys walked by and clapped me on the back. Looking up, one said, “Good going Bowman, that girl’s got nice melons.” The guy’s hands were in front of his chest like he was holding something.

  Just when I was about to say something, Luke sidled up to my side, diverting my attention from the loser patrol. “A word of warning,” Luke said. “That thing out there, throwing a different pitch than called, wasn’t cool.”

  I rolled my eyes. If he came to warn me about his friend, I would let the guy know I could handle myself. “Look, unless you have a death wish, I wouldn’t do something like that again. Flynn’s cool. And although he acts like a pretty boy, his bark comes with a nasty bite.”

  “Thanks, but I can handle myself. Why don’t you tell your friend to back off Mercy,” I said in challenge.

  The guy arched an eyebrow. “Your funeral,” he muttered and walked off. What was that supposed to mean. Did Flynn have his eyes on Mercy?

  Doubling my efforts, I rushed to get outside hoping to reach Mercy in the parking lot before she went home. I’d felt a connection earlier and didn’t want to miss this opening to asking her out.

  Headed out of the locker room door, I felt eyes on the back of my head. Turning, my eyes locked on one Flynn McCallister. Not having time for that, I ignored him and made my way outside. Turning the corner and getting a good view of the mostly empty lot, I saw Mercy on the passenger side door of the redhead’s door.

  “Hey,” a voice behind me said. Turning, I caught a glimpse of Doug racing towards me.

  “What’s up?” I asked, still walking in a somewhat fast pace. I wasn’t ready to turn on the jets. That may make me look a bit more desperate than I was ready to admit. The worst that could happen was I would miss talking to her today and could talk to her tomorrow.

  “Going for it?” Doug asked, about two steps behind me at this point.

  Nodding, I said, “You?”

  Doug nodded, “Hell, yeah. That girl is something else.”

  “Her brother didn’t scare you then?” I asked. Liam could be a bit intimidating.

  “It’s worth it,” the guy said, shooting forward. Apparently, he didn’t care if red saw him as eager.

  I started to run to. But then realized if Doug stopped Maggie, my problem would be solved. Plans however changed when Doug’s friend stepped out of nowhere to stand next to him by Maggie’s car when Doug made it over there. The guy was looking at Mercy. Yet, she was looking at me.

  Jogging, I made the decision to keep her attention on me. Breathing slightly harder than normal, I said, “Hey.”

  How lame was that? “Hi,” she said with a shy smile on her face.

  “Eme,” Maggie called her from the other side of the car. “Doug wants to go get ice cream or coffee. Want to go?”

  Mercy’s body was half turned in the other girl’s direction, giving me a profile view of her entire body. “Yeah, okay. Give me a minute.” Moving to face me, she said, “Sorry about that. Did you want something?”

  Doug and his friend had beaten me to the punch. Asking her out now might not be the best idea. Maybe she liked that guy. “I was hoping you could help me with our math project.”

  Was that surprise I saw with the flicker of movement in her eye? Was she hoping I would have asked her out instead? “Sure, tomorrow?” she asked.

  “Okay, after practice we could go to the library and then I could take you home.”

  Nodding, she said, “That’s cool. See you tomorrow then.”

  Stepping back, I held out the door for her as she slipped into the car. Doug and his friend were gone. I guess they were getting in their own ride. Closing the door, I gave her a salute. Giggling, she waved. Did I really just do that? A salute. What the hell was wrong with me? This girl had me so confused.