“The thought crossed my mind,” Keeley reluctantly admitted.
Talon could be using her to get information about her brother. Zach always complained that JT would use every advantage in his arsenal to win a game. He exploited other players’ injuries and weaknesses without remorse. Zach said JT was a ruthless captain, with no sportsmanship or respect for the game.
It all came down to one question: Who exactly was James Talon Harrington the Fourth? Was he JT, who’d stop at nothing to win? Or Talon, who’d stop at nothing to get her back?
The question was on her mind for the rest of the day, even when she was playing fetch with Tucker. She picked up the slobbery toy and lobbed it across the field for the thirtieth time. Keeley nearly jumped out of her skin when her phone vibrated in the back pocket of her jeans. Talon.
“Hey, baby doll.”
“I liked the pictures. The Peeps were adorable.”
He chuckled. “Peeps always win people over. Are you busy right now?”
“I’m at the park with Tucker.”
“Which park? I’ll come meet you.”
Ten minutes later, she watched as a truck pulled into the parking lot, the black paint gleaming as if it had just been washed. He greeted her with a candid smile as Tucker, who’d never met him, ran up, tail wagging. Talon crouched down and petted him. “You’re the lucky guy that gets to sleep in her bed.” He picked up Tucker’s ball and threw it into the open field.
“So …” She was too nervous to look at him, so she looked at his truck instead. “Did my brother do something to your car?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Woke up this morning to it plastic wrapped and painted blue.”
So that’s what the plastic wrap was for. She wondered how Zach managed to wrap it without getting caught. Probably had Cort and Gavin helping him. What if Talon thought she had something to do with the prank? “I didn’t tell him to do it. I didn’t even know that he did something till this afternoon.”
“I know. The thing with Zach and I — it’s more than just …”
“Right. Football.” How could she forget their ongoing rivalry?
He looked uncomfortable as he shifted his feet.
A long stretch of silence passed between them. She tried to think of something to say, but couldn’t. Finally, she glanced at him, only to find him staring back.
“I hate that you look at me like that,” he told her.
“Like what?”
“Like I’m a stranger.”
“I can’t help it. I don’t know who you are anymore.”
“I’m still me. So what if people call me JT instead of Talon?”
“Then why didn’t you tell me you were JT in the first place?” Keeley asked.
Talon’s lips formed a tight line.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
“It’s not like that!”
Keeley looked away. He’d kept his identity a secret on purpose.
“Do you remember that first night we talked? The night we swapped phones at the fair?”
Keeley nodded. “Some of it.”
“Well, I remember every minute. I remember every word you said to me. You were brash and annoying as all hell.”
She remembered it, too. It had all been an act. But she liked to think she was growing into that girl.
Talon went on. “I should have hated you, but I didn’t. I remember thinking how different you were from other girls. I liked it. I liked arguing with you. I liked getting you riled up. You didn’t play nice just because I was some football star. So when you asked me my name, I told you it was Talon. Which was true ... in a way.”
“That’s a load of crap.”
“In my experience, girls have these ideas about who I’m supposed to be. You don’t get what it feels like when girls realize you’re not anything like their image of a football player. It’s like who I am isn’t good enough. So sure, I panicked. A girl caught my attention and I wanted to keep talking to her. On my own terms.”
Keeley was silent so Talon continued.
“Is that so wrong?” he asked, his voice raw with emotion. “I can’t apologize for not telling you I was JT. You wouldn’t have talked to me if you knew.”
It was possibly the sweetest non-apology she had ever received.
“I can apologize for what I implied to Zach.” He paused and swallowed hard. “I’m sorry, Keeley, for saying those things. I never meant to hurt you.”
“Then why did you?” she whispered.
“Because I’m an idiot.” His blatant statement made the ends of Keeley’s mouth curl up. “But I’m not sorry for this.” He reached for her hand, while his voice dropped. “Not sorry for getting to know you, baby doll.”
Her heart was pounding. “Did you know I was Zach’s sister before Java Hut?”
“No,” he told her.
“Are you using me to get to my brother?” she asked, voicing her deepest fear.
Talon’s eyes widened. “What?”
“You heard me,” Keeley said softly, her eyes never leaving his.
Keeley tried to ignore the tiny thrill of adrenaline that she felt at the touch of his hand. “I’ve known who you are for a while now. In that time, have I ever even asked you about him?”
“No,” she admitted. She searched his face for any signs of guilt, but there was nothing.
“I like you, Keeley. I started liking you before I found out about Zach.”
“I like you, too.” Those feelings never went away.
Talon wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his embrace. “If you’re worried about Zach, we can keep it a secret.”
Keeley pulled away from him. “I’m not sure I’m ready,” she said.
His phone beeped and he glanced at it. A reminder. “I better get back. My dad thinks I’m out running errands.” She sucked in a breath when Talon leaned down and brushed a quick kiss across her nose. “How about we take it slow? Let me take you on a date. Tomorrow night. Eight o’clock. Are you free?”
She was, but should she go? It was only one date, after all. “Eight. Tomorrow night.”
He was about halfway to his car when he called out, “Oh, and Keeley? Wear comfortable shoes.”
“Comfortable shoes?” Keeley wondered out loud. She looked over at Nicky, who was sprawled out on the floor. They’d been working on homework since Keeley came home from the park. “Where do you think he’s taking me?”
“Somewhere you have to walk a lot.”
“It’s weird though, right? I was expecting a movie or dinner at a restaurant.”
“At least he’s taking you out on a real date. Guys nowadays just want to hang out.”
Now that Keeley thought about it, she never did have an official date with Randy. They’d just started texting and then boom — they were boyfriend and girlfriend.
Nicky propped up on one elbow. “Do you think going on a date with him is a good idea, though? The way things are with Zach … It’s bound to get messy.”