Page 19

“I heard Levi’s dad said something about me.” My voice is quiet, and I stab at my salad some more.

He frowns now, glancing up at me briefly. “He said a lot of stuff. I don’t think anybody pays attention to him.”

Putting my fork down, I’m not sure I can eat as I say this. “How did you feel about what he said about me?”

“He was just talking out his… behind.” Austin stands, collecting his trash. “Everybody knows how it is with us.”

A knot is in my throat, and I stir my plate, trying to think. He dumps his trash into the can and wipes his hands on another napkin.

He seems like he’s about to bolt, and I clench my lips then just say it. “Would you care if I dated someone?”

He walks quickly past my chair, not seeming to pay attention. “Nah, that’s cool.”

“Austin, stop.” I go to where he’s already in the living room, waiting impatiently. “I’m serious.”

His shoulders drop, and he shoves his hands in his pockets, looking off to the side. His brown hair hangs over his eyes, and he’s so tall now. In my bare feet my head barely reaches the center of his chest. “Mom, I’ve got to go.”

“Tell me the truth. ”

“It is the truth.” He holds out a hand. “I don’t want you to be alone, and I’m leaving in a year for college.”

“Yeah, about that. Coach Jack said you want to go to UT? You didn’t tell me you wanted to go there.”

His shoulders relax, and he steps back, giving me a minute. “I was just saying maybe.”

“I think that’s a great idea. You’d be close to Aunt Myrtle Dale and her family.”

His lips poke out, and he nods. “If I make the team, I won’t have time to visit much. I’ll be practicing and stuff. Traveling.”

“I know.” Turning to the side, my fingers clench, and I inhale deeply. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this for a while. It’s just been so crazy with camp and all the things going on. I didn’t want you to be distracted.”

“About college?” He frowns at me, and I reconsider.

Maybe telling him about his dad before the first big game would also be too distracting?

Forcing a smile, I reach out and squeeze his arm. “It can wait. Let’s make a date to chat this weekend—after you win the game.”

The corner of his mouth lifts with a half smile, and I notice a framed picture on the shelf behind him. It was taken his freshman year, when Dylan had just started teaching ballet at the high school, and it’s of him holding Mia Pine in a ballet pose.

“Remember this?” I point at it, and he huffs a laugh.

“How could I forget? Tyreek’s always teasing Josh and me for taking Aunt Dylan’s ballet class.”

Aunt Dylan … I’m encouraged by the ease with which he says it.

“He’s just jealous you got to hug all over Mia before she graduated.”

“Mom!” He snorts, putting a hand over his nose.

“It was very sweet of you to help Dylan, and you were really good. I think she has a video of your performance somewhere.”

“YouTube. ”

“What?” My brow lowers.

“It’s on YouTube. Everybody’s seen it.” I want to know more, but he’s at the door. “I gotta go, but I’ll show it to you on our date.”

“Speaking of dancers, Sadie’s joining the drill team.” I give him a little nudge. “She seems like a sweet person.”

He smiles sheepishly, and I hold up my arms for a hug. Leaning down, he gives me a brief squeeze.

“I’m really proud of you.” I tug the side of his hair. “Have fun tonight.”

“You too.” He straightens, going to the door. “And if you want to dance with Coach Jack again, that’s okay with me.”

“Oh, is it?”

“He seems like a sweet person.” Our eyes meet for a second, and a sly smile crosses his lips.

Then he’s out the door, leaving me shaking my head. That boy might look like he’s not paying attention, but he doesn’t miss a thing.

“After last week, we’re going easy on you tonight, bringing back a spicy fave.” I’m on the chair, reading Dylan’s warning to the line of daring customers. “Spicy pepper refried beans with habaneros…”

A noise of approval ripples through the crowd, but Oliver Duck makes a face.

“That’s three steps down from Pepper X, which we now know is the hottest pepper in the world.” Sliding my finger up the screen, I continue Dylan’s note. “We’ve got all the usual to ease the burn, and I have a special bottle of pure capsaicin for you to put on your serving, Oliver Duck. Oh…”

Blinking up, I see his frowning face and Dylan’s crossed arms, and I snort a laugh. “Let’s go! ”

Craig immediately cues up “Burning Down The House” by The Talking Heads, and we dish it out as fast as customers can take it.

The party is getting started, and I scan the room between each person looking for Jack. I don’t see him anywhere, but if I ask Dylan, she’ll nail me for it.

I know who’ll tell me. “Is Kimmie watching the boys play pool?”

I hand out a cup of ice cream, smiling at the familiar local.

“I think so.” Dylan scoops out another serving of spicy refried beans. “She’s spending the night with me tonight, since Jack won’t be here.”

My stomach sinks at that information. “Is everything okay?”

“I think so.” She nods, smiling at another familiar patron. “He said he had some stuff to take care of before tomorrow.”

I hand out the last ice cream cup completely deflated. He’s been avoiding me all week, and I’d hoped, maybe we might dance together again. Maybe we’d even walk outside, and who knows what else might happen. I was hoping we might do more than last time.

“That’s it!” She covers the pot, and I help collect the serving utensils and the tip jar.

We walk to the kitchen, and I don’t feel like partying. I don’t feel like dancing.

“I might head on home now that we’re done. I’m kind of tired myself.”

“You sure?” She frowns at me, but Logan walks into the kitchen to wrap his hand around her long ponytail and pull, tilting her head back to kiss her. “Hey, honey.”

Her face lights, and her entire demeanor changes. I think about Liv dancing with Garrett and the way they grind their hips. Hell, even Zane touches Rachel like she’s made of the finest porcelain.

“Yeah, we’ve got a big night tomorrow,” I finish. “I’m going to curl up with my book and get some sleep. ”

“A left-handed read?” Her eyes slant up at me, and my eyebrow arches.

“Perhaps.”

“I’m digging the look here, Allie.” Logan nods at my messy updo and glasses. “It’s cute.”

“Hmm…” I lean into Dylan’s ear and softly repeat. “ Cute ?”

“Logan, puppies are cute.” His wife fusses. “Allie’s a sexy librarian.”

“I’ll leave that for Jack to say.” He wraps his arms around Dylan, smiling at me with a teasing grin. “You know I prefer women who try to kill me.”

She playfully slaps her husband’s muscled forearms. “I didn’t try to kill you! You did that all on your own.”

“Set the record straight, Allie.” Logan nods at me. “You were here. She left that ghost pepper out knowing I’d think it was salsa.”

“I most certainly did not!”

“I gotta go.” I wave a hand over my head. “See y’all tomorrow at the game.”

Logan says something about being a wimp as I leave, but I don’t pay attention to him. They’ll be arguing about the first day they met for the rest of their lives.

Driving home, I sing along to the old Chicks song “Cowboy Take Me Away” at the top of my lungs. I don’t have a polished, pageant-girl voice like Raven, but alone in my car, I’m Adele.

Walking up to the house, I disarm the security system and go into the empty house alone. My shoulders fall, and I have a moment.

I don’t particularly like being alone, and with Austin leaving in a year, it’s feeling closer than ever. I see myself ending up with one of Miss Gina’s kittens, surrounded by nothing but romance novels.

As much as I love my spicy book boyfriends, they don’t put their arms around me when I’m cold at night or tug my ponytail to kiss the top of my head .

My mind drifts to Jack, and I think about him standing on the field this afternoon, only casting me one fiery glance. I think about him on the beach kissing me. Can he really wait so long?

I walk over to the window, leaning my head against the curtain and looking out into the dark. My heart stops when I see him there, again. Only, tonight he’s not hiding in the shadows. He looks both ways before jogging across the street and walking right up to my front door.

The security code is entered, and I open the door before he even has a chance to knock.

“You’re here.” My voice is breathless, and I blink up at him.

“I drove up to the restaurant, but your car wasn’t there.” His low voice floods my veins with heat.

“Dylan said you weren’t going to be there tonight.”

“Is it okay if I come in?”

“Yes…” I jump back, holding the door for him to enter.

He walks into my living room, filling the entire space with his presence. I close the door and press my back against it gazing at him standing there, looking back at me.

The ever-present cap isn’t on his head. He’s dressed in another light gray T-shirt and loose, faded jeans. Boat shoes are on his feet, and it almost looks like he left his house in a hurry.

“You were looking for me?” I could only dream he might be.

Lifting his hand, he rubs his fingers over his chin. “I was thinking about Austin. Tomorrow’s going to be a big night for him.”

My heart squeezes, and my lips press into a smile. “You were worried about my son?”

“I didn’t want you to be worried.” His blue eyes hold mine. “He’s going to do well.”

Pushing off the door, I take a step closer to him. He says we have to wait, then he comes here and says something like that to me.

I reach out my hand, and he takes it in both of his. “Tell me why you’re really here.”