Always Yesterday Read Free Page A

barely contain his laughter. While Miguel and Oscar took turns choosing team members, Eli evaluated his opponent. She’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail, and in her navy tank top, shorts, and tennis shoes, she’d come to play. How did she know he’d be home or even where home was?
    Okay, he grudgingly admitted, she has a cop’s nose. And she is spunky—definitely spunky.
    Each team gathered in a circle at opposite ends of the court, discussing strategy, but he only half-listened. Delanie Cooper had unquestionably earned an ounce of respect from him today—she was a fast thinker, quick and strong, and he wouldn’t underestimate her again, nor would he lose his focus. He’d been thinking of her womanly wiles instead of keeping a clear head. Well, no more. No, sir. He’d pay no more attention to the smell of her, the touch of her, the sound of her, or anything else about her.
    Both teams met center court, and Eli flipped a coin. Delanie called heads, and heads it was, so they had the basketball first. His team got into defensive positions while Miguel threw the ball to Delanie. She dribbled down court, weaving through his players. He planted himself between her and the basket. She collided into him, with more force than he expected from someone her size, and lost control of the ball.
    Oscar grabbed the loose ball and passed it to Jorge, who dunked it, and they took the lead 2-0. Miguel threw the basketball back in, and Delanie carried it down court again, this time sinking the shot, making the score 2-2. The teams were evenly matched, and the game stayed close. Delanie played tough, and Eli grudgingly noted his admiration had moved up another notch. When they were all drenched with sweat and thoroughly exhausted, they called it quits. His team managed to pull off a three-point victory.
    “So now that we’ve shared a game of hoops, do I get an introduction to your friends?” Delanie asked, walking off the court. She took a gulp of water from the bottle he handed her, and he realized he’d already started taking care of her, watching out for her, even though he’d promised himself not to fall into that role.
    “Sure. Guys, this is Delanie Cooper, better known as Coop the Snoop. Coop, the guys.”
    Delanie rolled her eyes and shook her head, but the smile she shined on him caused his heart to trip over itself. He shifted his gaze away from her. I won’t warm up to her. I will not!
    They all sat in the grass next to the court, chugging water, and each junior higher introduced himself to Delanie. Then they rehashed the best plays of the game. “Did you see the steal Eli made right out of Delanie’s hands?”
    “Yeah, that was some play, E. A clean lift—all ball.” She was actually proud of him, and the thought made him feel warm inside.
    He cocked his brow. “E?”
    “Hey, if I’m Coop, you’re E.” She shrugged. “Take it or leave it, dude. It’s either Delanie and Eli, Cooper and Logan, or Coop and E.”
    “Coop and E it is.” Eli decided to get her riled. “You know, Coop, for a girl, you don’t play half-bad.” He stretched out on the grass, leaning on his right elbow.
    She only laughed. “Thank you. And for a guy, you don’t play too bad either—though my brothers would put you to shame.”
    “Brothers, huh? I knew you had one—Frank Jr.”
    “Yeah, since Frankie’s on the force, I figured you knew him. He’s the oldest. Brady is next, then Cody.”
    “And where do you fall in the lineup?”
    She smiled and hung her head. “The baby.”
    “Three older brothers. Was the word princess used in regard to you?”
    She blushed and played with a blade of grass. “Occasionally.”
    “Figures.” Eli rose and grabbed his stuff. “Let’s head back, guys.” He had to keep the distance; they were getting too comfortable, too chummy. His little troop rose, as did Delanie.
    “How do you know Eli?” Oscar asked her on the walk back to the apartment building.
    “He’s my new partner.”