Pass Interference by Natalie Brock

and odor-eliminating room spray. She picked up the room spray, took the cap off, and briefly squeezed the aerosol nozzle. Inhaling, she finally realized why Philip’s dorm room always smelled like oranges. She replaced the cap and put the room spray back where she found it.
    While perusing the merchandise, Sara heard the now-familiar rhythmic tapping sound of Philip’s crutches behind her, followed by a hand gently touching her back. “Hey, my dad is gonna be here for at least another twenty minutes,” Philip told her. “Let’s go out to the grove.”
    They exited through the rear of the store and walked across the parking lot until they reached the nature trail that led to the orange groves. Sara looked around, taking in the sights and sounds. She heard the sound of a bird chirping, and she turned her head to follow the bird’s call. It sang a series of short, high-pitched notes that were almost frenzied.
    “Philip! Look.” Astounded, she pointed to the creature making the sound. It was a small, brightly colored bird with a blue crown, red breast, and yellow and green back. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
    “That’s because you’re a city girl,” he teased. “That’s a painted bunting. It’s a songbird that’s kind of rare to these parts,” he explained. “Once in a while, you’re lucky enough to see one.”
    “Then today must be my lucky day,” she surmised.
    “Mine too,” Philip said quietly without taking his eyes off Sara.
    Unsure of what to say, she changed the subject. “Um. Are we walking too fast?” Sara asked.
    “Not for me. It’s good to get some exercise. There are some benches up ahead if I need to rest.” Philip looked over at Sara, who appeared to be pensive. “You okay?”
    She nodded. “I was just thinking about how different your family is from mine,” Sara mused sadly. In the few minutes she’d been here, she already liked Philip’s family better than her own—probably because his family hadn’t disappointed her or treated her like she didn’t exist. They made her feel welcome and wanted.
    “How so?”
    Pretty much in every way, she thought to herself. But she chose her spoken words a little more carefully, not wanting to give Philip a horrible impression of the people who raised her. “First of all, they’re big on hugging.” She chuckled, but then she grew serious. “Your family seems warm, close-knit, open. I’d never be able to invite friends over spur of the moment. My mom would freak out.”
    Philip shrugged. “People were always dropping in on us when I was growing up. Just like people would come to the store, they’d sometimes just show up at the house wanting to buy a case of grapefruit.”
    “You’re kidding!”
    “Nope. That’s what happens when you paint your house the same as the store,” he said, elbowing her arm to let her know he was joking. “My dad always says that when you run a business, you’re never really off. It’s twenty-four seven, even when the store is closed. Took me a long time to figure out what he meant.”
    Sara looked at him quizzically. “Then explain it to me. I’m not sure I understand.”
    Philip stopped walking and sat down heavily on a wooden bench along the path, leaning his crutches next to him. “Well, it’s kind of like…well, take me, for example. People know who I am, they recognize me even when I’m off the field and off campus. So I’m never really off. Just like my folks are never off work. You know?”
    Sara gave him a small smile. “You’re kind of a celebrity.”
    “So, Sara, do you mind hanging out with a pseudo-celebrity? I mean, people might be curious about you too if you’re seen with me,” he said, feeling her out.
    “Well, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty low-key. I definitely don’t have a world-famous sort of personality. But in your case, I might make an exception.” Before she had a chance to blush at her own flirtatiousness, she turned her attention to one