When she looks at him like that, he raises his eyebrows innocently. "What? Grass stains are hard to get out. I'm trying to be nice."

Her feelings are surprised and maybe a little playfully suspicious, which really just confirms that this was the right choice today. They chase through his limbs and wake up his fingers and toes, and he takes a half-step back instead of leaning in to give her a big bear hug like he wants to.

"I play football," he reminds, as though being weird about it will reassure her that he totally isn't being weird. "Grass stains and I are very familiar with one another."