COLEEN
By the time Hayden walked into the athletic complex lobby, the building had gone quiet in that way it always did just before closing. The fluorescent lights hummed. The vending machine made its sad little whirr in the corner.
Somewhere down the hall, a lone basketball bounced, then rolled, then settled.
I had my elbows on the counter, pretending to care about the clipboard schedule I’d already checked three times. Which is to say, I was minding my business and absolutely not rehearsing what I’d say if he happened to show up.
Then he did.
He looked annoyingly good for someone who’d just finished practice, hair damp, cheeks flushed, duffel bag slung over his shoulder like he’d been born with it attached.
His eyes found mine almost instantly, like they always did now, and my st
