Perfect for You(20)

Ash rubs my knee. “I think Gray just might pull out a win, now that you’re here to cheer her on.” Maybe I can explain this to him. Maybe he’ll understand that I feel the same way about Noah being here for me. No. That would only hurt him more. He’d be jealous that he can’t do that for me.

“She’s doing great,” I say, deciding to leave Noah out of it. I don’t want to fight.

Ash and I cuddle for the rest of the match, focusing on cheering Grayson and Leanne to victory, which they finally pull off.

Grayson comes off the court and throws her arms around me, tackling me to the ground. I laugh. Her excitement is contagious. “Did you see me? My serve was on fire!”

“I saw. Great job, Gray. I’m really proud of you.”

She rolls off me and lies in the grass. Coach Moyers walks over to us. “Great job today, ladies. You stepped up and did what we needed you to do.”

“Thanks, Coach,” Grayson and I say in unison, which only makes us giggle more.

Coach Moyers shakes his head. Sometimes I wonder if he dreads the start of the girls’ tennis season. Coaching a bunch of girls who are giggly one minute and PMSing the next can’t be easy for a middle-aged man.

“We totally need to celebrate!” Grayson squeezes my hand. “Let’s go out. The diner is open, and I’m starving. I want a huge slice of cheesecake.”

I look at Ash. He definitely needs some quality time together after the incident with Noah, but Gray needs me, too. I’m torn. Ash shrugs. “Let’s go to the diner.” He leans in and whispers, “But I get you to myself afterward.”

I kiss his cheek. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

He blushes. That’s the great thing about Ash. He has no clue how great he is. He’s not cocky. He doesn’t have to try to do the right thing. He’s just…perfect.

“You two aren’t going to be all touchy feely, are you?” Grayson whines.

Ash whips out his cell. “How about I text Tucker and have him meet us there?” Yup, he’s totally perfect.

Grayson’s eyes light up. “I’m going to the locker room to freshen up.” She gets up and stares at me like I should be moving, too. “Coming?”

“Oh, um, okay.” I squeeze Ash’s bicep while he texts Tucker. “Be right back.”

“I’ll be here.” He smiles and my heart melts. How can I want anyone but him? I must be losing my mind.

Gray and I walk to the locker room with our arms linked. “I can’t believe how totally awesome I feel!” Her voice is squeaky and high-pitched.

“You’re on a tennis high. Nice, right?”

“Nice? It’s incredible. My first varsity match and I take down the best team in the league.” Gray reenacts the final game of her match for me, letting go of my arm in order to pretend she’s swinging the racket. It’s cute how excited she is, and I can’t help but feel proud of her.

We head into the locker room, but someone grabs my arm from behind, pulling me into the trainer’s office between the girls’ and boys’ locker rooms. I’m about to protest when a hand slips over my mouth. Noah. I stare at him, noticing how my pulse is still racing even though I know who it is now. Because I know who it is. He lowers his hand and smiles at me.

“You’re still here?” I ask.

“Nah, you’re dreaming about me.” His dimple makes an appearance.

I cross my arms. “You think I dream about you?” I scoff, not at all meaning it, but he leans closer.

“Yes, I do.” His voice is barely a whisper, and it sends chills running down my back, arms, and legs.

I push him back, but not forcefully. Just lightly enough so he knows I don’t want him that close. “You’re crazy. You know that, right?”

“Am I?” He cocks an eyebrow. “I’ve never popped up in your dreams? Not even once?”

“I don’t remember my dreams.” Lie. I drop my arms and try to move away from the wall where he has me pinned, but he reaches for my right shoulder and starts massaging it. “What are you doing?” I ask, but I don’t stop him.

“You should ice after every match, practices too actually. And massage your shoulder. It will keep knots from forming.”

“Oh, so you’re just looking out for my well-being, not trying to cop a feel?” Where is this boldness coming from?

He smirks. “If I was trying to cop a feel, I wouldn’t be touching your shoulder.”

Now I step away. This is getting too uncomfortable. “I have to go. I have plans with Grayson and Ash.”

Noah nods. “Group thing like we had at the water park?”

Is he trying to equate what I have with Ash to whatever this is between him and me? “No. Only dinner is a group thing. Ash and I are hanging out alone after that.” Good. I’m being clear that I’m with Ash. This is what I need to do. Let Noah know that he and I can only be friends.

Except Noah smiles. Not the reaction I’m expecting. “He wasn’t too happy to see you in my arms after the match.”

“Put yourself in his shoes.”

“I’m not sure I want to.”

“What does that mean?” I narrow my eyes at him, waiting for an explanation.

“Sure, he’s dating you and gets certain…benefits because of it.” He steps toward me, brushing a stray hair out of my face. His touch gives me chills. “But, things can’t be all that good if you’re here with me now.”