Millie
“SO, HOW’D IT GO WITH Mr. Adorable Dimples?” Tasha asked as we stretched out. We were off Mondays and that’s when we got together with our adult recreation soccer league. The three of us had been playing soccer since we could walk, and enjoyed getting out and playing whenever we could.
Which wasn’t as much as we’d like, now that business was booming.
“I already told Dru the whole story last night . . . It was good,” I said vaguely, hiding my smirk when Tasha started to pout.
“Well, I was working last night so I missed the girl talk. You can’t hold that against me, Mills, I was bringing home the bacon,” Tasha complained as she crouched down.
“Fine,” I said with mock exasperation,” I’ll give you the cliff notes.”
Tasha kept her eyes on me as she waited expectantly. She’d recently cut off her long black hair that had matched mine and Dru’s in length into a cute bob, and dyed it a bright red. It totally suited her.
“The party was great, fantastic even. I had a blast decorating, and the girls loved it. I took pictures to show you guys, and for the website,” I began, but Tasha waved her hand, encouraging me to get to the good stuff. “Jackson asked me out,” I said with a shrug, then teased her by saying, “But, I said no.”
“Wha?” Tasha cried, standing and putting her hands on her hips. “Why’d you do that? I thought he was your diary dream man. At least, that’s what Dru said.”
I raised my eyebrow at my twin, who just stuck out her tongue at me and continued stretching her quads.
“He’s also married, and still wears his wedding ring,” I replied, then sighed and added, “But, he assured me that the marriage is very much over, the ring was just an oversight, and we’re going to meet up for coffee this week. So, not a date, just coffee.”
“A coffee date,” Dru said with a grin.
“Shut up,” I replied, but couldn’t hold back my answering smile. “I don’t know, you guys, he scares me.”
“Why?” Tasha asked. “Because you’ve been so focused on the business, and before that, Mom, that you haven’t met a man for coffee, let alone had one between your legs, since you and Dru were at USC?”
“That’s not true,” I argued, offended and a little embarrassed about how right my younger sister was. “There was Joshua . . .”
“Ewww,” my sisters groaned in unison.
“You mean that creeper guy who kept taking you to Anime movies and trying to get you to give him a handy in the theater?” Dru asked. “You really want to count that guy?”
“No, I guess not,” I said with a frown, then threw myself back onto the grass and added, “Gosh, you guys, it has been a long time. A really, really long time. Maybe jumping back into things with a Mr. Adorable Dimples, who’s not only a single father, but hasn’t even divorced his wife yet, is not a good place to start. Maybe I need to wade into the shallow end first.”
“Fuck the shallow end,” Dru said, and I knew she dropped the F bomb to rankle me. She knew I hated it when she talked like that, which was exactly why she did it. “I say jump right into the deep end, clothes and all. It’s time you had a little fun, Mills, and you like this guy. Go for it.”
“Yeah,” Tasha agreed. “I’m with Dru. Enjoy your coffee, then take him back to your apartment and jump his bones.”
I laughed at Tasha, but before I could reply, our coach yelled out, “Are you ladies going to gab all day, or are you going to get out here and play some football?”
“Sorry, Coach,” we all called, then jogged out to meet up with our team.
I sat on the bench for the beginning of the first half, my eyes on the field as my mind wandered to thoughts of Jackson. Almost as if I’d conjured him, I heard my phone signal a text, then discreetly pulled it out of the bag at my feet, my stomach dropping when I saw it was him.
Hey, Millie, it’s Jackson. I was wondering if you’d rather meet during lunch, or after work, for coffee? I know you work early, but I wasn’t sure when you took breaks, if you even take them. I can break away during lunch, or meet you after school. Whatever works for you. Sorry, I’m rambling . . .
After school? I’m pretty flexible. I can work my schedule around whatever date/time you’d like to meet.
Yes, I’m a teacher, did I not tell you that? I teach English at the high school. After school would be best, that way we won’t be rushed. How does Wednesday at 3:30 sound?
Oh, that’s wonderful. What a fun job. Wed at 3:30 works for me. Where do you want to meet?
Well, I can pick you up, if you’d like, then we can go to Rooster’s, if that works?
Rooster’s was a coffee shop on Main Street, just a couple blocks from our business.
“Hey, Millie, are you going to pay attention to the team, or your phone?” my coach called out, causing me to flush and reply, “Sorry, Coach.” It seemed like that was all I could say today.
That sounds great. Have to go. Bye.
I looked up at our coach sheepishly, then turned the phone off and put it back in my bag. My head came up just in time to see Tasha dribbling down the field, then make a successful pass to Dru, who kicked it right into the goal.
“YEAH!” I yelled, jumping to my feet to cheer on my team.
“Millie, go in for Tampa,” Coach said, and all thoughts of Jackson and coffee left me as I jogged out onto the field to join my sisters.
We had a game to win.