Page 11 of Librarian for the Jock

Chapter Eleven

PAIGE

The mood around the dinner table was light and animated, filled with the buzz of lively conversation and the clinking of cutlery. The aroma of home-cooked dishes wafted through the air, mingling with laughter and the occasional outburst from the kids. I couldn't help but steal a glance at Chet. His presence added a spark of excitement to our usual routine. I did my best to ignore the subtle flutter in my stomach as Chet gave me a hesitant but handsome smile.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brad and Olivia exchange a knowing glance, their eyes twinkling with shared affection. I shook my head in a subtle “no.” They grinned even wider and I looked away. Meanwhile, Brandon and Jenny were happily listening to sweet Lexi chattering excitedly. My Mom was sitting at the head of the table, radiating warmth and hospitality. She finally managed to get our attention and led us in a prayer before we attacked the food.

While we were eating, my mom turned to Chet and said, “It’s so wonderful to have you back visiting us in Hawthorn Hideaway, Chet. It’s been such a long time since I last saw you. Brad told me you are a big football star now. Did you always want to play professionally?”

Brad shyly replied, “No, Aunty Pam, I didn’t think of doing any sports professionally when I was growing up. I actually wanted to become an author.”

I can’t help myself. I looked at him in shock, then quickly closed my mouth before anyone noticed.

"I wanna be a princess!" Lexi shouted, wanting to be part of the conversation.

Chet turned to the little girl. “Lexi, you’ll be the prettiest princess ever.” He brought his attention back to my mom. “My Mom and Grandmother taught me to love books and the library. So much so that I wanted to have my own book in the library, too.” He chuckled. “Actually, becoming a professional football player, oddly enough, just kind of fell into my lap. I am enjoying it, but I don’t like all of it.”

Now it was Brandon, who had been attentively listening, who was shocked. "How can you not like all of football? What’s not to like?"

Chet shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Tons of running around in tight pants and getting yelled at by coaches."

Brad laughed. "Sounds glamorous."

Chet nodded, his expression turning more serious. "Honestly, the worst part is the paparazzi when you get really popular."

The table fell silent for a moment, processing Chet's unexpected revelation. Olivia leaned forward, an expression of curiosity on her face. "I can't even imagine what that's like. Do they follow you around everywhere?"

"Pretty much,” Chet answered. “It's like having your own personal shadow, but one that's armed with cameras and a relentless desire for gossip."

My mom looked horrified, “Oh, Chet, that sounds horrible.”

I couldn’t help but feel a newfound sympathy for Chet. "Must make it hard to have any privacy."

"You got that right. Sometimes, I feel like I'm living in a fishbowl. That’s actually part of the reason I came back to Hawthorn Hideaway when the season ended."

Brad started laughing hysterically. We all turned to him, surprised, because there had been such seriousness in the air just seconds ago.

"You should've seen the time Chet tried to go incognito with a fake mustache,” he finally got out. “Let's just say it didn't exactly fool anyone."

"Hey, I thought it added a touch of sophistication!" Chet tried to defend himself.

Olivia giggled, "I'm sure the paparazzi appreciated the effort, at least."

"Oh, they loved it. I think I made the front page of some tabloid with the headline 'Football Star's Mustache Mishap,'" Chet grimaced.

Brad was now gasping for air, “That’s right! I forgot about that. I wonder if I can pull it up on my phone.”

“Brad, don't,” Chet begged. “Please don’t, not now. It will ruin everyone’s appetite.”

Brad relented, “Fine, fine. Oh, remember that time the paparazzi caught you trying to walk your dog incognito?" Brad started laughing like a maniac again.

Chet's eyes widened in mock horror, realizing where this was going. "Oh no, not that! I thought I was being so sneaky. It wasn’t even my dog. With all the travel I do, having a pet is hard, so I borrowed my neighbor’s dog. I just wanted some fresh air."

“Yeah, Chet here thought he could avoid the cameras by donning a ridiculous disguise—a fake mustache, the same ugly mustache as the first time, sunglasses and ugly black hat combo, straight out of a bad spy movie."

The table erupted in laughter as Chet shook his head, clearly embarrassed by the memory.

"In my defense, it seemed like a good idea at the time."

I had to ask. “And did it work?"

Brad, out of breath from laughing, choked out, "Let's just say the paparazzi were more interested in capturing the 'mysterious stranger' walking a tiny dog than they were in the actual celebrity."

Chet added, "I think I made headlines this time for 'Football Star's Failed Disguise Attempt'."

As the laughter subsided, I couldn’t help but admire Chet's ability to laugh at himself, even in the face of embarrassing moments captured for the world to see. It was a reminder that behind the glitz and glamor, he was just a regular guy navigating the ups and downs of fame with humor and humility.

My mother instinct kicked in, "Well, Chet, you're in the right place to seek refuge from the paparazzi here in Hawthorn Hideaway. Just be prepared for the occasional camera-wielding grandma," I added with a grin.

Jenny piped up, “Chet, other than at home, the next best place to hide here is in Mommy’s library!”

I looked at Jenny in disbelief. Was she weaving a set-up plan?!

Then Brandon had to contribute. “Oh yeah, Mom doesn’t let anyone bother her patrons about anything.”

“That’s not true!” I said in my own defense, then had to back down as I remembered my recent conversation with April at the library. “Well, it might be a little true.”

Brad, Olivia, my Mom, Jenny, and Brandon all nodded their heads and said in unison, “It’s true!”

I slouched in my chair, totally embarrassed. I couldn’t believe everyone at this very moment.

Chet smiled directly at me. “I do love the library.”

What in the world just happened?