Page 14

“What a game last night, Pioneer fans. Four straight wins have South Mountain right back in position for a playoff spot. Another fantastic performance by Tyquan Carter and Gunner Weston, but the real story was young Malcolm Bailey. Coach Bianchi has already said that the young sophomore will be playing more to give Carter a rest. With the way Weston, Andy Green, and Jefferson Taylor are playing, a rested Tyquan Carter will only add to opposing teams’ nightmares. You have to believe that Coach Bianchi is smiling at home, knowing that his seniors are setting the example for this team to compete for the championship.”

**********

“Why does everyone listen to that guy?” Hailey asked plaintively. Gunner glanced back at her as he grabbed the popcorn from the carhop.

“Honestly,” he said, handing the money over, “I have no idea.” He laughed and turned off the radio.

“Keep the change,” Gunner said to the young man.

“Thanks, Mr. Weston!” The carhop sprinted off so fast that the gravel of the parking lot kicked up into the air behind him.

Mr. Weston ?

Gunner paused.

Me?

He put the sodas into the cup holder.

“I hope this is OK?” he asked.

“Are you kidding!?” Hailey snatched the bag Gunner extended to her. “I love popcorn!”

He enjoyed the giddy excitement she sometimes showed over small things, and he struggled to pull his eyes off her, even as the screen started to flash up front.

Man, she looks great tonight.

Gunner was used to girls wearing ridiculous outfits or too much makeup when they went out.

She’s so different.

Tonight, Hailey was wearing a tee shirt and jeans with the Converse sneakers he had become accustomed to seeing on her. She seemed comfortable, relaxed, and in control.

“When you said we were going to take notes,” she coyly pointed to the back seat, “I didn’t think you were serious.”

Shit!

“Oh, sorry!” He threw his body over the center console, tossing the notepads to the back floorboard. “That’s actually from the film session this morning. Your dad,” he tilted his head toward her, “likes to walk through the tape with me before we go over it with the team.”

She cocked her head at the mention of her dad, and he could tell that she had been waiting to tease him.

“Oh yeah?” Her tone was now extra playful, and she glanced away after putting a piece of popcorn in her mouth. “How was that today?”

Awkward!

Coach Bianchi had not mentioned the time Gunner had been spending with Hailey; however, his comments about trusting Gunner with his most precious plays, as well as his warnings about living up to expectations, had been crystal clear.

“Well, you know---”

She broke into a laugh before he could say any more.

Man, that laugh.

“My dad really is a nice guy, he just…” He watched her eyes flash in the dim lighting of the parking lot. “He is just not a fan of me going anywhere with a boy.”

I knew this was a bad idea!

Gunner choked and took a quick sip of his drink to clear his throat.

“Well, I’m sure he’s been fighting them off for years, so he’s probably a pro by now.”

He coughed softly and turned his attention to the screen.

“Actually,” she said quietly, “this is probably the first time I have been out alone with a guy, ever.”

What!?

He froze, his drink still cradled in his hand. That had to be a lie. No way had a girl like Hailey never been on a date.

“You don’t believe me?” she asked, her voice going a little higher as she again read him like a book.

“I just…” His heart sped up as she bit her lower lip .

Oh, please don’t do that.

“Gunner!” He jumped at a knock on the front window, sloshing soda on his leg.

“Mr. Chen,” he exclaimed, hastily setting down his drink. “How, um, how are you?”

“Please, Gunner, call me ‘Todd.’” The man smiled wide and leaned against the car. “But I am good. Well, we are all good, but I wanted to see how your mom and sister are doing?”

“They’re doing well, Mr. Chen---Todd. Better by the day.”

And I really mean that.

The man nodded but remained standing by the car, seeming to prepare himself for a conversation.

What is going on?

Gunner leaned a little closer to the window. While Mr. Chen always offered a warm smile, he was typically soft-spoken and rarely said much, even though he was one of the main faces of the Football Boosters Club. Lately, though, he had looked tired. The night they discussed the fundraiser and scoreboard had led to a few disagreements that Gunner was hoping had blown over.

“Gunner, I just wanted to say how proud I am of you.”

Woah.

Gunner took a deep breath and peered up at the man who had once scolded him for breaking his window.

“What you and the team have done, you guys have been a beacon of light for this town.” Gunner’s mouth was becoming dry and grainy. “And this!” Mr. Chen exclaimed, pointing to the screen. “The fact that you got the drive-in to play this movie! My daughter is so excited! ”

“Thank you for saying that, Mr. Ch---Todd. We’re just trying to take it game by game and see what happens. The movie, well, that was Ty’s idea.”

The innocent face of Mr. Chen’s son, sporadically lit by the movie screen, was now running full speed toward the car.

“Gunner! Gunner!” yelled Timmy.

“T-unit!” responded Gunner, smiling. He leaned out to high-five the little boy. “How are you, dude?”

The boy grinned, showing a few missing teeth.

“Good! Hey, guess what!? I made a pass like you today, Gunner! You should have seen it!” The young boy was strangling his South Mountain Football tee shirt. “I made this pass to the endzone---it was so cool.” Gunner reached out for a quick fist bump. “I mean, we didn’t score the touchdown, but it was still cool.”

Gunner leaned out toward the boy.

“Well, at least you went for it. Like my dad used to say, it’s not about the result, only the fact that you took the chance in the moment.”

Mr. Chen, who appeared less interested in this conversation, was now peeking into the car toward Hailey.

“Todd, this is Hailey Bianchi,” Gunner said.

“Well.” Mr. Chen was now smirking. “Nice to meet you, Hailey.”

She waved from the passenger’s seat.

“Hailey,” he said, drawing nearer to the window, “I have heard a lot about you. My family is extremely excited to see you star in the play.”

“Aww, thank you so much.” Her voice, soft and kind, twisted Gunner into a pretzel. His eyes stayed on her as she insisted on Mr. Chen’s daughter coming over for a quick chat .

Stop staring!

The little girl, who joined her brother, helped distract Gunner a little.

“Sarah.” Mr. Chen paused and shushed her down before she leaped through the window. “This is Hailey, and she is going to be playing the lead in the musical this year!”

The little girl’s eyes went wide.

“Really?” she said, leaning toward them.

“Really,” Hailey said softly, pushing closer so her face became completely illuminated in the drive-in light.

My god, she is gorgeous.

His eyes were wandering out of control, and he had to fight with all his energy to pull them back up to her face.

“Are you going to wear the fancy dress and dance?” Sarah squeaked.

“I am, and I cannot wait for you to see it,” Hailey responded kindly. Gunner gripped the steering wheel for support.

That voice…

“Well…” Mr. Chen realized the previews were ending. “I think it’s time we get ready for the movie. It was great seeing you, Gunner.” His daughter waved, even as she fought to stay next to the window. “And Hailey, it was such a pleasure meeting you as well.”

She nodded back politely, saying the same.

“Oh, and Gunner.” Mr. Chen spun as his daughter ran back to their car with her brother. “I spoke with Ms. Summers the other day. My hardware store will be supplying all of the materials for the props and set this year.”

Really ?

Gunner tilted his head in surprise.

“I didn’t know that was an option.”

“It should have been a long time ago. Your father always wanted me to join in as a sponsor, and for years I pushed it off. Now,” he offered a soft smile, “I think it’s my turn to step up and take one of those moments he always spoke about.”

Jeez.

All this talk of his father had taken Gunner slightly aback.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Chen,” he finally responded quietly.

“Please, Gunner! ‘Todd’ from now on.”

He remained still for a few seconds, as if he wanted to say something else, before he finally turned back toward his car.

“He seems nice,” Hailey said.

“Oh, yeah, he’s great! But I’m, I’m sorry for that. I, um, it’s just hard to get any privacy and I---”

“Yeah, I think you said that before.” She cut him off, but her grin was playful. The movie title flashed across the screen, and music began to play. “I actually thought it was quite cute.”

He watched her slide back in the seat as the movie began to play.

Cute?

He smirked to himself, no longer thinking about his father or Mr. Chen.

Who would have thought?

She dropped a piece of popcorn into her mouth, quickly darting her eyes between him and the screen .

Cute.

**********

He’s different tonight.

Hailey’s mind was all over the place. The interest Gunner was showing in the movie and the character he would portray in the musical were unexpected topics for this date.

Wait! This is not a date!

She inhaled sharply, her smile wavering.

“Sorry.” He must have recognized her change in demeanor. “I’m rambling.”

He nervously lowered his head and put a few pieces of popcorn in his mouth.

“No, it’s OK.” She tried to play it off. “I just can see why my dad likes to watch the games with you first. You are so…” He turned back to her, his face pink, even in the dim light.

Cute.

“Detail-oriented.”

She had blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. Well, the second thing. She grabbed her soda and took a sip for support. There was something that kept bringing her back to his green eyes, even as the screen continued to dance in front of them.

What is it about him tonight?

She took a deep breath, trying to collect herself after the near slip-up.

I mean…

Hailey waited until he was distracted by another carhop. This young boy was waving so hard to him that he nearly fell to the pavement.

He really never gets time alone.

She was starting to understand how much pressure this town put on Gunner and the rest of the football players. The way that man spoke earlier, it was like the town needed them to win every game or the world would end. It just seemed unfair to her that they were turning to Gunner for answers at this time.

He needs his space.

“So,” he said, adjusting closer to her after the boy left, “I have to ask. Where did you learn to sing?”

Oh boy.

Her hands gripped the armrests.

“I mean, I’ve been working on the musicals for the last few years,” he continued. “You, though, you’re amazing. No way you learned how to do that in some performing arts school.”

She looked out the passenger window, unsure what to say.

“I’m sorry,” he continued lamely. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Just tell him it was your school.

She exhaled shakily, readjusted her legs, searched in the darkness outside the window for courage.

“It was…” she said slowly and quietly. “It was my mom.”

What are you doing?

“My mom taught me how to sing.” The seat squeaked as he twisted more fully toward her. “She was the one who put me in the Performing Arts Academy in California, too, when I was young. ”

Why did I tell him that?

Her converse sneakers were bouncing against the floor, and she stiffened her legs to stop the movement. The images she had held tight began to run free in her head.

“Wow.” His voice was soft. “She must have been talented as well, if she taught you to sing.”

She was so talented.

Hailey swallowed hard; the memories of her mother moving about onstage, glowing and graceful, outperformed the movie they were watching.

“She was.” Hailey had not spoken to anyone outside the family about her mother since she had died, but for some reason, tonight, she felt like she needed to talk. “She actually performed on Broadway in New York when she was younger.”

Gunner’s mouth dropped open.

“When we moved to California before she got sick---” Hailey cleared her throat. “She performed in the Broadway Theatre District, and she was…she was amazing.”

Just stop talking.

She could feel a tear welling in her eye. She grabbed her soda again.

“I see.” Gunner played briefly with the steering wheel in front of him. “I’m sorry about your mom.” She stiffened. The straw remained against her lip, but she didn’t drink. “I’m sure it was tough on your family. She sounds like a wonderful woman.”

She was.

Hailey finally found the strength to turn toward him, still fighting back tears as she nodded .

“My dad…was the one that kept us together when it happened.”

His green eyes locked onto hers and did not let go. This time, however, she did not look away. His gaze, which in the past had made her uncomfortable when it was this direct, was a welcome distraction from her feelings.

“Your dad is a great coach and, from what I’ve seen, a great dad.”

He sure is.

“Well,” she could feel his tension growing, “from what I hear, your dad was great too.”

His leg began to shake, like hers had done a few minutes before, and he turned his head away. The two sat in silence, the movie playing on in the distance. Hailey watched his shoulders rise as he took two deep breaths.

“My dad.” He finally turned back to her. “My dad would have liked you.”

Wow, OK.

She finally took a quick sip of her drink, trying to process what he had just said.

“My dad liked people who were kind, who always wanted to help,” he continued. She shifted in her seat. “I can see what you’re doing for everyone in the musical. How you have patience with us, even though we’re not really very good at this whole thing. I know, I know it’s probably tough for you---”

“Gunner,” she instinctively interrupted him, “you’ve all been great! A little unorthodox, sure, but you guys have so much confidence, and you work so hard.”

She watched him peek up at the screen, a smile returning to his face .

“And whether you want to believe it or not, you and the rest of those guys are talented.”

His eyes softened, and his shoulders straightened.

“Can I ask you something?” He leaned in closer, making her heart pick up speed. “Why didn’t you want to be the lead until I joined?”

Oh crap. Just move on---talk about the movie.

“I, umm…” She could see the uncertainty on his face when she glanced at him.

I hate this.

She searched for a way out, a way to move past this subject without hurting him.

But he is just being nice.

His eyes were apologetic when she glanced back at him again. When he eventually turned to the screen, his question unanswered, she could see that thing in them that was so familiar.

Pain.

He was good at hiding it, but the hurt was still evident. Talking about his father was hard, and it was probably too much for him right now. It was raw, and she knew how that felt. She wished she could say something to make it better. Tell him how much of a difference he was making, not just by playing football but by bringing joy to everyone around him.

This town was smiling again. She could see it when she went to school. She could see it on Tony at the pizza parlor, Ms. Summers at musical practice, and Mr. Chen by the car. Her father was smiling, her sister was smiling, and she was smiling. She knew he would not believe her. He was not ready for that, and she understood .

Do something.

“My sophomore year in California.” It all just started to come out. “I was picked to play the lead in our school’s musical.”

Just say it.

“A sophomore had never done that at my school, so I was so excited. I went out, and I sang and danced my heart out.” She actually smiled, remembering her mother in the crowd with a wide grin on her face. “And then…and then my mom took a turn. She, um, she passed a few months after the performance.”

His head lowered, and he groaned quietly.

“My mom, she got to see me perform, and that was all I ever wanted. I got to star in front of her, and I knew she was proud of me.” Hailey couldn’t help the tear that fell down her cheek. “I guess, I guess I just wanted that to be my last performance. A performance for her, one that I could keep with me. So I quit theatre the next semester.”

She had no idea how he would process everything she had just told him. She really had no idea why she had just blurted all of it out, but she felt like she had to finally tell someone. Gunner would at least understand a little, and that made it easier.

“Ms. Summers spoke with a few of my old teachers and wanted me to take the role here. I guess I was just being scared and selfish.”

There, I said it.

The car was silent as the onscreen figures danced on.

“Yeah, well,” he finally broke in with a soft mumble, “I guess I kind of know what that’s like.”

At first, she tilted her head toward him. Her mind replayed his words a few times before a laugh escaped .

“I guess you do.” Her body loosened as she settled back into the seat.

“You know, you didn’t have to do it.” His green eyes had returned to her. “But I’m glad you did.”

Me too.

She bit her lip, trying to prevent a large grin of relief from spreading across her face.

The two fell back into a comfortable silence as the movie played.

I did it.

She relaxed even more into the leather. The sense of dread, the swirling hole in her stomach, that she had feared would appear when she spoke about her mother and why she had refused to go back on the stage had not arrived.

Hailey knew all along that she was being selfish, but it was the thought of losing the vision of her mother in the crowd that haunted her the most. She wanted that image of strength, not the one of her in bed, sick and unable to move.

I was wrong.

Her mother’s beautiful smile was still crystal clear. Her pride as she applauded the final number percolated in Hailey’s mind. Talking about it, facing the reality that she was gone, had not taken that away.

“So.” Gunner shifted and played with the steering wheel. “What’s going on at this part? They’re reading books and stuff?”

The scene on the screen moved into a courtyard, but Hailey was more focused on the young man by her side.

He is so different tonight.

He was anxious and nervous. The normally in control, confident quarterback was suddenly unsure .

“Well,” she said, leaning on the center console, “this is the point in the movie where she is starting to see him for more than just his appearance. She is starting to see his other qualities: how sweet and kind he can be.”

He nodded, but his eyes remained on the screen.

“I guess they both are, really, at this moment.”

He smiled wider and turned toward her.

He has such an amazing smile.

“So, he’s starting to change too?”

“Well,” she couldn’t help but giggle, “he is starting to feel something that he hasn’t felt in a long time. Something he probably thought he wouldn’t ever feel again.”

Why am I doing this?

“I guess...” His full attention shifted to her, and she once more froze under his green eyes. “I guess I’ll have to find a way to put my own spin on this scene when we practice.”

He is so good at this.

Her face went hot, and her stomach fluttered. As she reached for her soda, she felt something warm brush against her hand.

“I’m sorry!” he exclaimed, his face full of panic. “I wasn’t paying attention and went for my drink. I didn’t mean...”

While his apology rambled on, his hand remained on hers.

“It’s OK,” she whispered, not pulling away.

It’s really OK.

It took him a second, but he finally tightened his grasp. The heat on her cheeks intensified as she sank deeper into the seat of the car. Even though she looked back at the screen, she knew she could not play it off. Her ears were ringing, and her heart was pumping so fast that she thought it might come out of her chest. Tomorrow, she would probably laugh at the irony of the song that was playing on the screen, but not tonight. Tonight, her entire body was weightless, dancing, and the only thing that kept her from floating out of the car was his hand on hers.