Saved By Love (Bellevue Bullies 7)

ten

Callie

As my face slams into the mat, I groan inwardly.

I have missed this fucking release move on bars twice now, which is very unlike me. It’s all Evan’s fault. I was showing off during our run, and now I’m a dud. Though, in my opinion, it may have been worth it. I don’t ever have anyone to run with me, and it was fun to run with him. He pushed me, made me run faster, and I really got a good workout. I also liked teasing him about all the girls who have been following him around. For such a hot dude, he’s very put off by it. It’s odd to me; I’m not used to hot guys being all weird when girls hit on them. Then again, these girls are thirsty and ruthless.

I may be thirsty for Evan Adler, but I’m taking my time. I don’t want to seem too eager like everyone else, even when I want to kiss him at every turn. Or touch him. I don’t know how he doesn’t realize that I’m crushing on him, but whatever, I’m gonna wait this out. I don’t want to spook him or scare him away. I’m playing it cool, which is so damn hard. Probably as hard as catching this Jaeger is now. I don’t know what is going on.

I look up, chalk flying around my face, to see Evan watching me with concern in his eyes.

Great, I look like a loser. And it gets worse when I look over at Coach. He’s glaring.

“Explanation?”

“I suck?”

His glare deepens as I pick myself up. “Don’t let me hear you say that again. Chalk up, and get back up there.”

I don’t answer him. I rub the grips that cover my palms together and head to the chalk bowl. I don’t look around because I feel Evan looking at me. Cameron is squatting by the chalk bowl with a heating pad on her back. “You’ve got this, Cal.”

“Get it, Cal. Get big!”

More encouragement comes my way as I chalk up and breathe through my nose. Once I’m good with chalk and Misty dismounts off the bars, I get in position to go. My routine is flawless, and I know it. I’ve just got to trust myself. I jump to the high bar, go into a handstand, and go for my front giant.

I’ve got this. I’ve got this. Got this.

I catch the bar with no problems, and I finish my routine as my teammates cheer me on. I even hear Evan cheering loudly. When I land my double layout dismount, I stand confidently and nod at Evan, who is holding the mat with his foot to make sure it doesn’t slide on me. He holds his fist out, and we do our handshake effortlessly. It’s become a natural thing for us when we’re here.

“Thunderbolt.”

I go straight to Coach, standing beside him as he watches Misty go once more. “Good routine. I’d give you a solid 9.85.”

“Really?”

“You caught close because you didn’t want to miss it. I don’t want you doing anything but catching that bar for the rest of the practice.”

“Yes, sir,” I say, but before I can walk away, he stops me.

“Question.”

“Sir?”

“You sleeping with Adler?”

I meet his gaze, emotionless. “Absolutely not.”

“Y’all are ooeeeyyy-goooeyyy eyeing each other,” he says, drawing out the words.

“He used to play hockey with my dad. We know each other,” I say, which isn’t a lie, but it’s not the truth either.

“Oh, okay. Try to resist him. I don’t want to lose him because of some boyfriend-girlfriend drama.”

“Nothing to worry about,” I say, and he nods.

“Don’t be lying to me.”

“I’m not.”

“Okay. Go catch five.”

“Yes, sir.”

I head to the bowl, but I can’t help but glance over at Evan. As Coach said, Evan’s watching me, and I’m not trying to sound all full of myself, but I think he likes what he sees. I don’t know if it’s true or if it’s wishful thinking, but maybe I put a little more shake in my walk to the chalk bowl.

And maybe I catch all my releases for the rest of practice with a whole new bout of confidence.

And maybe I grin a little too much at Evan, not that I’d ever admit to it.

* * *

When I get back to the house, I’m exhausted. I lie on my side while my FaceTime screen is full of Aviva and Vance. He’s adorable as can be, trying to reach for the screen and babbling like crazy. I swear he’s bigger every time we FaceTime. My sister is more beautiful than ever. We both accepted our natural curls and are trying to master how to do them. Unlike mine, my sister’s hair is always up so that Vance can’t yank on it. Her eyes are so bright, and she just looks so happy. In turn, that makes me happier.

“How was your day?”

She gives me a dry look. “I’m bored out of my damn mind. I told Nico that I’m about to franchise a Dunkin’ Donuts just so I can do something. You know what he said?”

I grin since I know this is going to be good.

“I can knock you up again.”

I snort as I shake my head. “Veev, you’re a stay-at-home mom now. Embrace it!”

She doesn’t agree. “I need something else to do. Jaylin says I can be her online assistant, but I hate clerical work.” Jaylin is Aviva’s best friend and is basically another sister to her. She’s a big-deal lawyer in South Carolina and true girl-boss goals. “So instead, I’m here. Though, I did start reading romance novels, which will probably end with me getting pregnant.”

I laugh. “Probably. And I’m ready for a baby girl, so get on that.”

“No way. You and Vance are enough,” she says, kissing Vance’s head. “How was class today? Did you see Kyle?”

I beam. Kyle is the kid I work with most at the ACOB. He’s nine, but he has the mental capacity of a three-year-old. He’s a hoot. “He sang all the way to F today!”

She squeals, and Vance giggles loudly at her. “That’s so fantastic! I wish I could meet him. I feel like I know him.”

“I know. He’s my little doll baby,” I gush as I lie on my back. “My psych class went well. I got a hundred on that test.”

“Well, duh, you did,” she says with a smile. “How was practice?”

“I missed my Jaeger, three times in a row.”

Her smile drops. “Callie, you’ve been doing that since you were ten. What the hell?”

“Exactly!” I complain. “I don’t know. I was tired. I went on a very extensive run.”

“So, I guess you won’t be doing that anymore?”

I laugh. “Actually, I have another run date tomorrow. Though I don’t think he is calling it a run date, but I am.”

“He?” she draws out. “Has someone caught your eye after that fucking idiot, Tomfuck?”

I almost choke on my laughter. Aviva never liked Tommy, and Nico wanted to hit him with his car. When we broke up, they were stoked until they found out he’d cheated on me. Nico was on a rampage then, for sure. “So many bad words in front of my nephew! Such shame!”

She laughs. “For real, though. Give me the deets.”

I smile shyly. “You actually know him.”

Her brows come in, and I watch her realize who I am talking about. “Evan Adler?”

“Yup,” I say, grinning. “He doesn’t know who I am, though.”

She cackles. “Not surprised since he never really got a good look at you. Only in passing.”

“And my last name isn’t Merryweather.”