On a Saturday afternoon and maybe evening. The practice date felt like a real date.
This did seem like a major step.
If I got caught, they would say it was Rider and that he was a bad influence, but in reality, he didn’t know I wouldn’t be allowed. Hell, I didn’t even know if I wouldn’t be allowed, but I sure as heck wasn’t asking.
I wasn’t even sure if I was doing something wrong and I wasn’t going to ask, because that sounded like a really stupid question to ask.
Rider lowered his phone, slipping it into his pocket. Could I even do this? Go hang out with him? I hastily picked up my drink and took a huge gulp. Why was I freaking out about this? Rider and I grew up together. Sure, there were years when we didn’t see each other, but we were friends and he’d just gotten out of a relationship. This wasn’t a practice date.
And I could do this.
“You...you think I should go?”
Ainsley’s blue eyes were wide with excitement. “Yes! Oh my God, yes!” She smacked my arm. “This is the perfect time for alone time.”
I frowned. “But we...we have a lot of alone time.”
She stared at me a moment and then rolled her eyes. “This is a different kind of alone time, Mallory. This is Saturday alone time.”
My brows rose.
Shaking her head, she picked up her drink. “Trust me. It’s different.”
I was going to have to trust her with that.
“You’re interested in him, so just a heads-up—I think he’s interested in you, too. I mean, come on, why wouldn’t he be? But guys are kind of dumb sometimes, so he’s probably gonna play it cool and act like he’s not interested.”
I opened my mouth.
“That’s what Todd did. He acted like he wasn’t into me until we were alone and then he made his move.”
Would Rider make a move? My heart started to swell with the possibilities of it and then my stomach twisted again.
Ainsley was practically rocking in her seat. “I know this is all new for you, but just take a couple of deep breaths and have fun. Maybe he’ll do more than hold your hand.”
Oh my God, this was too much. I should’ve never told her about Rider holding my hand. I so needed an adult.
“Look,” she said, lowering her voice as she reached over, placing her hand over mine. “Only go if you’re comfortable with it. If it’s something you want to do. If you don’t, it’s not a big deal. I just know you like him as more than a friend. I can tell because of the way you look at—” she paused, glancing over her shoulder “—him. Holy hell, who is that?”
Brows knitting, I followed her gaze and saw that Rider wasn’t alone anymore. Hector was standing with him at the entrance to the café. Concern rose. Their heads were low and the hard set to Rider’s jaw said they weren’t talking about something fun.
I glanced out the front windows, expecting to see Jayden, but he wasn’t out there. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Jayden at school the last couple of days.
“Do you know who that is?” Ainsley asked.
Swallowing as I placed the glass down, I nodded. “His name is...Hector. He’s Rider’s friend.”
A slow smile curled her lips. “He’s yummy.”
Just at that moment Hector laughed at something Rider must’ve said. The sound was deep and it traveled, turning several heads in the café. Hector was yummy. No doubt about that, but my gaze strayed to Rider. He smiled slightly, the dimple in his right cheek playing peekaboo. His lips moved and Hector glanced over at our table.
Surprise flickered over his face and then his full lips kicked up when his gaze settled on Ainsley and stayed.
“Me likie,” she whispered. “Does he have a girlfriend?”
I shrugged, wondering if she still had a boyfriend. I wasn’t sure if Hector had someone serious. I’d seen him with a couple of girls at school, but I didn’t think he was dating any of them.
Rider and Hector made their way to our table. Rider reclaimed his seat next to me while Hector sat beside Ainsley.
“Esa chica esta bien caliente.” Hector laughed as Rider shook his head. Ainsley stiffened across from me. She was pretty fluent in Spanish and even though Hector was Puerto Rican, I had a feeling she was getting the general gist of whatever he was saying and she was not happy about it. “Me gustaria a llevarla a mi casa y comermela.”
Ainsley cocked her head to the side as she brushed her long, blond hair over her shoulder. “Gracias! Pero no hay ni una parte de mi que tu te vas a comer.”
Hector’s eyes widened.
Rider threw his head back and burst into laughter. “Oh, shit. Priceless.”
“What?” Ainsley blinked big eyes at the stunned Hector. “You think some white chick can’t possibly understand another language so you’re going to sit in front of me and talk about me like I’m not here?” Her smile was brittle and fake. “Bitch, please.”
“Man...” Hector sat back, slowly shaking his head as he stared at her. “You’re...brutal.”
“Damn straight,” she replied, her eyes like chips of blue ice. Whatever yumminess she’d seen in Hector was completely out the window now. “And you’re a mal criado.”
Hector’s eyes narrowed.
“I really like your friend, Mouse.” Still chuckling, Rider winked at me. “She basically called him a classless ass, and I agree.”
Oh dear.
Ainsley arched a brow as she eyed Hector’s worn shirt. “If the shoe fits...”