He walked toward her, wiping a streak of grease from his jeans. "You're here," he said. "We adjourned early." Caroline surveyed the chaotic dusty field. "Which one is Maya?
Number seven, currently building a dirt castle near the goal line." A shrill whistle blew. Halftime. Maya sprinted off the field, a blur of red cheeks and bruised shins. She slammed to a halt in front of Caleb, grabbed her drink, and downed half of it before noticing the woman standing beside him.
Maya's eyes narrowed. "You're the rich lady," Maya declared. Parents in nearby folding chairs stopped talking. Caleb wanted to melt into the asphalt. Caroline didn't flinch.
She crouched down, letting the hem of her silk blouse brush the dirt. "I am. My name is Caroline. You have a solid defensive stance, Maya. But if you keep your weight on the balls of your feet, you can pivot faster.
Maya wiped her mouth with the back of a grassy hand. You play soccer a lifetime ago? Caroline said seamlessly. I hear you prefer T-Rexes over Triceratops. Maya grinned, exposing a missing front tooth.
Yeah, T-Rex is the apex predator. Agreed. Now go defend your territory. Maya bolted back to the field. Caroline stood dusting her hands.
She met Caleb's eyes. She's terrifying. I adore her. The second half ended just as the sky turned a bruised, ugly purple. The temperature plummeted 20° in a heartbeat.
The wind kicked up, sending trash swirling across the dirt. "Storm's breaking!" Caleb yelled over the wind. "The truck's passenger window is off its track. I need to get Maya home before it downpours.
Take my car, Caroline offered. We're fine. It's a 5-minute drive. Stubborn pride flared in his chest. He grabbed Maya's gear, hoisted her into the cab, and slammed the door.
Caroline watched from the curb. Caleb turned the key. Click, click, click. Nothing. He pumped the gas, turned it again.
A sickly metallic grind echoed under the hood, followed by dead silence. The screaming alternator had finally surrendered. The first raindrops hit the windshield, heavy, fat, and cold. Within seconds, it was a torrential downpour. Rain blew sideways through the stuck window, soaking Maya's seat.