Page 21

Allie

T he Friday night crowd at Cooters & Shooters isn’t as big as Dare Night, but it’s crowded with the parents and friends of players, dropping by to have a drink, celebrate, and wind down after the first big win.

Austin’s with his friends, and now that he’s almost eighteen, I only ask him to be safe and not to do anything that will put Sheriff Grizz in the position of having to arrest him.

The truth is, he’s a good kid—more responsible than I was at that age, considering I was pregnant with him at eighteen.

We’ve reached the point in our relationship where I try to give him advice and hope he follows it. And I do a lot of praying.

I also make sure he has all the supplies and knowledge he needs to practice safe sex.

Yes, that means I buy my son condoms.

Some parents might frown at that, but I’ve found it’s better to be honest and proactive about these things than to pretend it doesn’t happen. Not talking about sex is the best way I know to wind up with an unplanned, teenage pregnancy.

“The drill team sounded so exciting tonight!” Miss Gina walks up to where I’ve just cracked open three Corona longnecks for Liv, Dylan, and me. “It was all I could do not to stand up and dance right along with them.”

She’s holding Rachel’s arm as she does a little steppy-jig.

“We might have to put you on the team.” Dylan laughs, giving the old lady a hug.

I reach for another beer. “Would you like a Corona, Miss G?”

“Oh!” She laughs, her blind eyes drifting over my head to the fans slowly spinning. “I can’t remember the last time I had a beer.”

“Sounds like a yes to me.” I pop open another longneck. “Lime?”

“Do you think it’s safe, Rachel?”

Rachel stage-whispers into her ear, giving me a teasing glance. “I’ve learned never to trust drinks from Allie, but if you’re worried about driving home, Zane and I’ve got you covered.”

Miss Gina smacks her hand on the edge of the bar as she laughs. “That does it, I’ll have one. You girls keep me young! ”

I hand everyone a beer, but Liv isn’t smiling as she takes a sip.

“I haven’t had enough time with them.” She’s a total perfectionist, and I can see why Mrs. Laverne wanted her to be the coach. “They need to be hitting those kicks, all the way to their noses in a straight line.”

“But you want them to have fun, too, right?” Dylan tilts her dark head up at her sister-in-law.

“They’re not babies, Dylan. If they want to get scholarships or join a college team, they have to be perfect. You think I got on the Golden Girls by being sloppy? Would you have gotten into the American Ballet Academy looking like that?”

“They were a lot of fun to watch,” I carefully add. “The kicks were a little wobbly, but they didn’t miss a single hip-flick.”

“We’re practicing every afternoon next week,” Liv replies.

Rachel and I exchange a glance that says yikes as we sip our beers. I’m only the third-string coach, thank goodness. I suck at bringing down the hammer, but after this new venture, I’d love to see Liv in a courtroom handing some prosecutor his ass.

“Well, they sounded like perfection to me.” Miss Gina’s kind voice resonates, and she tries another sip of beer… and frowns. “I don’t think I like beer.”

“I’ll take it, Miss G.” Zane walks up, taking the beer from the old lady’s hand. “I’ll mix you up an old fashioned.”

Miss Gina makes a relieved comment, and I sneak a peek past Zane to see if Jack is here. The brothers were all together when we left the stadium.

“Did you see me do my kicks, Aunt Deedee?” Kimmie runs up to our group. “I kicked real good, all the way to my nose like you said. Want to see?”

Now I know he’s here, and my breath tightens in my chest.

“Tomorrow, outside.” Dylan’s tone is firm. “You almost knocked Uncle Lightning’s family jewels out of commission, and we’re trying to get pregnant.”

“You are?” Rachel’s voice goes high.

“You knew that, Rach.” Dylan shakes her head. “Logan’s been asking for a little wide receiver since Liv and Raven popped up with babies.”

“Always wait a year to have babies.” Liv’s mom walks up to where we’re standing. “You’ll have plenty of time for babies, but you’ll never have that first year of marriage again.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Liv carps.

“Obviously, I wasn’t talking about you, Olivia. Hand me a beer please, Allie.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I reach into the cooler behind the small bar in the center of the room.

“I know what you mean, Miss Plum, but you know Logan and I’ve been married two years now.”

“You have?” Her eyebrows rise as I hand her the cold bottle. “Time just keeps on flying, doesn’t it?”

“Where were you tonight?” Liv puts a hand on her hip. “I thought you were going to come to the game and watch the drill team.”

Ms. Plum takes a long sip of her beer. “I had an emergency D&D meeting this afternoon at the senior center, and it ran long. I asked Garrett to tell you.”

“I didn’t know Dungeons & Dragons had emergency meetings,” Dylan teases. “What happened? Did somebody get stuck in the third dimension?”

“You’re thinking of Quantum Conundrum.” Liv’s mother isn’t fazed one bit.

“Hey, Ms. Plum!” Garrett walks up, giving his mother-in-law a hug and lifting her off her feet. “What are you doing here? I thought you had to do some fire-breathing elf-bard thing or something.”

“Lord have mercy, Garrett Bradford, I’m the elf bard who plays bagpipes and wields the bow and arrow.” She shakes her head, finishing her beer. “I don’t breathe fire. That would be ridiculous.”

Garrett holds up both hands. “My bad.”

“Anyway, I’m sorry I missed the game. I heard it was a nail-biter, and I heard Austin got hurt. Is he okay?” She looks right at me, but I don’t have a chance to answer.

“He’ll be fine.” Jack’s deep voice joins the conversation, and my entire body lights up. “He has a bad sprain, but if he rests it this week, he should be okay.”

I quickly reach into the cooler and pull out a beer, opening it for him. He smiles as he takes it from me, and our fingers graze. It has me nearly melting to the floor.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Liv’s mother nods. “Well, I’ll be heading home now. Is Gigi spending the night with me tonight?”

“She is.” Liv steps forward to kiss her mother’s cheek. “One of the Simpson girls is babysitting her at your house, and I’ve already paid her.”

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Night, kids.”

“I suppose I ought to be getting home, too.” Miss Gina wraps her shawl tighter around her narrow shoulders. “It’s past my bedtime.”

“Okay, then.” Rachel’s eyebrows rise, her tone teasing. “I guess that means we’re heading out since we’re your ride.”

“Oh, you don’t have to leave on my account!”

Zane exhales a laugh, patting her shoulder. “See you all tomorrow. Good game, bro.”

He nods at Jack, who sips his beer as he watches them leave.

“You ready to make the most of our night off?” Liv arches an eyebrow at Garrett, and he bends down to lift her over his shoulder.

“Let’s go make a baby!” he shouts, slapping her on the butt.

“Garrett!” Liv smacks him on the back. “Put me down. My goodness.”

He doesn’t, and somebody lets out a taxi-whistle as he carries her out the door into the parking lot.

“He knows how to keep her down to earth.” Dylan laughs, holding out her hand to Kimmie. “Are you spending the night with me tonight?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Jack’s daughter jumps up and down, pumping her hands over her head. Then she stops, seeming to remember. “Is that okay, Daddy?”

Jack smiles down at her with so much affection in his eyes. “I guess I can tuck myself in tonight.”

Her brown eyes widen with worry, and she takes her father’s hand. “Will you be sad and lonely?” She quickly grabs my hand. “Miss Allie can spend the night with you. She’s all alone, too!”

I swallow air, and Dylan bursts out laughing. “Kimmie, that is a great idea!” She steps forward to kiss Jack’s cheek. “Isn’t it, big brother?”

His eyes narrow, but he doesn’t respond.

“Speaking of making babies…” Logan catches his wife around the waist. “Let’s get this little one to bed so we can practice.”

“Keep my brother company tonight, Miss Allie!” My face is on fire, and Dylan waves over her shoulder to me as she leads her skipping niece to the kitchen.

Chewing my lip, I glance up at him. “I do not want to make a baby.”

“Good.” He turns, facing me. “Still, they have a point. We are both alone tonight.”

“You’re not too tired for a sleepover?” Somehow I manage to tease.

Shifting his stance, he moves closer. “No.”

“Hey, Allie!” A loud voice from behind me almost makes me throw my beer.

“Shit!” My palm flies to my chest, and I turn around to see Ronnie Freeman standing behind me smiling.

Ronnie teaches math at the high school, and he’s about my height. A little chunky, but always nice and friendly.

“Did I scare you?” His dark brow furrows.

“Oh, no, I just nearly jumped out of my skin is all.”

“I’m sorry!” He puts a hand on my elbow, and Jack shifts behind me.

I don’t dare look at him.

“I saw you over here, and I figured I’d come over and say Hi.” Ronnie’s round cheeks remind me of an elf when he smiles. “You’ve been looking really pretty lately.”

My eyes do flicker to Jack’s this time, and his brow arches.

“That’s so nice. Thank you, Ronnie.”

“You can call me Ron. I was wondering if you might want to have dinner tomorrow night at Parky’s.” He leans closer and adds, “With me.”

I’m completely caught off-guard, which isn’t good for my lying skills.

“You were?” is the best I’m able to conjure.

“Yes, ma’am.” He continues standing there, smiling.

“Well, I’ll be… This is so unexpected.” I lift wide eyes to Jack, who is not smiling .

“We’ve known each other a few years, and well, I’d like to get to know you better.”

My lips press together, and I nod slowly. “I’ll need to double-check my schedule, but that’s such a nice invitation. Thank you, Ronnie… er, Ron.”

“Don’t think too long, now.” He gives my elbow a gentle squeeze.

A soft growl comes from Jack, and the hair on my arms rises.

I cough a little laugh as Ronnie steps back. “I won’t.”

He tips his hat to Jack. “Good game, Coach.”

“Thanks, Ronnie.” It’s a curt reply.

The man leaves, and I hold my expression completely neutral as I turn to Jack. His face is unreadable, but his eyes are hot. I can’t tell if he’s angry, but I’m very aware of my heart thumping hard in my chest.

“What were we saying?” I blink up at him, trying to keep it light. “Kimmie doesn’t want you to be alone?”

He takes my beer and his and puts both in the trash. “My place, ten minutes, wear your sexy librarian dress.”

It’s an order, and my stomach flips. “Yes, sir…”

His nostrils flare, and he goes to the door. I fall against the bar to catch my breath.