Page 46

Allie

C ooters & Shooters is all lit up.

A banner hangs on the back wall reading Congratulations, Captains , and tonight is the big celebration. It’s the first time in Jack’s tenure as coach at Newhope High that they’ve brought home the state championship trophy.

It’s the first of many, everyone’s saying.

Everyone was asleep on the bus by the time we rolled back into town near 2 a.m. The news of the showdown with Levi’s dad flew through the group like wildfire, and all the way home, I texted with Jack to be sure he was okay.

I know how much he cares about the boys, and especially when the parents are too much, his protectiveness runs high.

It’s so hot. It’s one of my favorite things about him.

I’m sorry about Levi’s dad. You okay? I know you hate that.

Sir

Logan’s got him. He’ll spend the night with them, and we’ll figure it out tomorrow.

Wish you could get me tonight

Sir

As pretty as you are in my bed, get your sleep tonight. I expect to see you at the celebration tomorrow.

I’ll be up front in your jersey.

Sir

Perfect.

Now we’re here, and I’m in my white pleated skirt with his baby blue and red Number 18 Mustangs jersey on. I don’t give a shit what people think or say.

Really, because Jack said we don’t.

I’d still be in the closet if he weren’t so adamant our sneaking-around days are over. Although, it was kind of sexy being his dirty little secret.

Now I’ll be his dirty little wife.

“You ladies did such a good job with that drill team.” Miss Gina walks up, holding Rachel’s hand. “It was thrilling to hear the band at every game and know the girls were doing their high kicks. Just like when Liv was captain.”

“Miss Gina, you are too much.” Liv skips over to give her a hug. “You never saw me once.”

“Your energy was electric,” the old blind lady argues. “I remember how the stadium would get so excited when you’d lead the team onto the field. It was just like when Dylan would dance in the Nutcracker.”

“You were always front and center.” Dylan skips over to hug her surrogate grandmother. “And when it ended, you’d be on your feet clapping.”

“You’re really showing!” Miss Gina runs her hand over my bestie’s middle. “How far along are you now?”

“I’m at twenty weeks. Can you believe that?”

“Halfway there!” Miss G’s blue eyes lift to the ceiling in delight. “Do you know what you’re having?”

Dylan’s eyes light, and I can tell she does. Rachel, Liv, and I all lean forward at the same time .

“Y’all!” Dylan laughs, looking at all four of us hanging on the edge. “I had my last ultrasound Wednesday.”

“You know!” Rachel bounces on her toes.

Liv’s lips twist with a frown. “Are y’all going to do one of those gender-reveal parties?”

“What a face!” Dylan gives her sister-in-law a playful shove. “What if I did?”

“Just don’t set anything on fire. Or put your eye out.”

“Good lord, Liv!” Rachel laughs, shaking her head. “I think they’re fun! We could make balloons that have pink or blue smoke inside them or make a cake where the middle is all blue or pink…”

“Just tell us!” I hold Dylan’s arm. “We won’t tell anybody, and you can do whatever you want for a reveal.”

“Logan would murder me.” Dylan laughs. “I already told him we weren’t telling anybody we were pregnant until the second trimester, and everybody knew in like a day.”

“That’s because your Dare dishes tasted like…” I shake my head, making a foul face.

“Mean!” Dylan gives me a shove.

“I’m sorry, babe. It’s simply the truth.”

“Whatever. All I know is, I’m not telling you tonight.” Dylan lifts her chin. “Tonight has already been called.”

“For the football team?” Liv’s face crinkles. “We’re way more interested in a new Bradford.”

“Then you should be very happy!” Dylan laughs, giving a side-eye that makes my stomach jump.

The music cranks up, and Garrett is in the front of the room dancing with the team. They’re hyped and happy. Austin has his arm around Edward’s neck, and Rachel’s brother is not smiling. He’s doing his best with his earplugs firmly in place, but I see his occasional wince.

“I hope they don’t take too long with all of this.” I lean closer to Rachel, speaking in her ear. “Edward looks really uncomfortable. ”

“He wanted to be on the team.” She shrugs, shaking her head like there’s nothing she can do.

The boys start chanting Jack’s name, and Logan and Zane shove him onto the stage. Even Buddy Outlaw is smiling and clapping, his nephew Lucas right beside him, no doubt thinking about next year, when he’ll be starting quarterback.

“Yeah, I see you.” Jack smiles attractively, clapping hands with the cheering boys as their shouting and the music dies down. “I’m really proud of you guys. You played hard all season, and we’ve come a long way.”

He looks around the room, making eye contact with every member of the team, and I can’t help the pride swelling in my chest. They all hang on his every word, and he takes his role so seriously. He’s so good with them.

“We did it, and every single one of you was a part of this.” He holds up the trophy, and cheers and whistles rip through the room. “This is for us, and the town will always remember this year. Hopefully, as the start of many more to come.”

More cheers and shouts. The boys hug and high-five, and Jack leans into the mic. “I’d like to do one more thing if you don’t mind.” The celebration dies down again, and his blue eyes land on mine. “Allie LaSalle, would you join me up here, please?”

“What?” A knot twists in my throat, and my eyes widen.

Everyone starts to clap, and more whistles cut through the noise. Hands guide me to the stage, and I look up to see Austin at my side smiling so big it makes my breath hiccup.

“Say yes,” he whispers, helping me climb onto the stage beside Jack.

“Winning state champs isn’t the only big thing to happen this year.” He looks out at the room, that grin still on his lips. “I made a big decision of my own as well.”

“Jack…” My voice is high, and he takes my hand, lifting it to his lips.

“I thought this would be a surprise,” he quips. “But the only surprise was me finding out how many of you already knew it was coming—or were asking when I’d finally do it.”

A ripple of laughter is followed by the sound of gasps and squeals as Coach Jack Bradford lowers to one knee in front of me.

“Oh my gosh…” My nose is hot, and I cover my mouth with my right hand.

He’s holding my left with that ring poised on my third finger. “Allie, will you make me the happiest man in the world…” His warm eyes hold mine, and when I blink, tears fall onto my cheeks. “And let the town off the hook?”

Laughter flows through the group, and I glance out to see all four of my girls right up front hugging each other, eyes shining with tears.

Lifting my chin, I nod quickly. “Yes! Again, yes yes yes yes yes…”

He rises, cupping my face in both hands, looking deeply into my eyes in a way that steals the breath from my lungs. Then he covers my lips with his, giving me one swipe of his tongue before cutting it short and pulling me into his side in a hug.

“Now it’s time for a party!” Garrett shouts, and a roar of cheers goes up.

He lifts his hand to start the music when a snarly voice interrupts our celebration.

“Well, this explains everything.” George Powell shoves front and center on the floor in front of the stage, weaving slightly as the crowd parts around him. “I called it from the first day! You people don’t have the balls to say what’s happening here, but I do.”

Levi pushes through the group, shouting, “Dad, stop! Don’t do this!”

He grabs his father’s arm in an attempt to pull him away, but the man turns on him, hitting Levi with a backhand that sends him to the floor .

“No!” I yell from the stage as Austin and Tyreek rush to their friend.

Jack makes a move, but Logan intercepts him, grabbing the man around the upper arms and pulling him back.

“I’ve got him—enjoy your night.” Logan frowns up at us. “It’s time for you to get out.”

He starts to muscle George to the door, but the man breaks free from Logan’s hold. He squares around to face his son, shouting.

“I gave you everything!” the man yells. “Sacrificed everything! I took you everywhere you needed to go. You had the best of the best, the talent, the drive. You were supposed to be everything I’m not.”

“I don’t want to be you!” Levi shouts back, his cheek blazing red from the strike. “I don’t want to play football! I want to stay here!”

“And be nothing?”

Levi blinks fast, shaking his head as he looks at the man. “And be a dad! Sadie’s pregnant.”

The room falls silent. My hand tightens in Jack’s, and my eyes fly to Austin, who’s standing behind his friend.

His expression is shocked, and he takes a step back. My heart aches, and I want to go to him, but George isn’t done.

“So?” he snaps. “What does that have to do with you?”

Levi’s eyes flash. “It’s mine.”

“Says who?” his father cries. “That little slut? How do you know it’s not the golden boy’s? She’s been sleeping with the whole team!”

“I have not!” Sadie’s wobbly voice cries from somewhere in the crowd.

I scan the room until I find her standing in a clutch of her friends. Her face is red and splotchy, and her eyes are wide. Her cousin Oliver goes to stand beside her, putting his hand on her back .

Levi lunges at his dad, but Garrett catches him around the waist. “Take it easy,” he murmurs.

“She’s not a slut!” Levi yells. “The baby’s mine, and I’m going to stay here with her. I’m going to be the best dad—nothing like you. I hate you!”

George’s eyes narrow, and he huffs air through his thick lips. “Real mature, Levi. And how will you pay for this baby with no job, no education…”

“He’s got a job,” Garrett interrupts. “He’s working in animal control.”

Levi frowns up at him.

“Animal control?” the elder Powell scoffs.

“He’ll start there, and he can work his way up to being one of my deputies.” Garrett looks at Levi. “If you want. We can talk about it.”

“Sure…” Levi’s voice is hoarse. “Okay.”

“I’m done.” George flings his arm in the direction of his son. “You want to hate me? Just remember when you’re my age, I tried to give you something better.”

The man storms out of the restaurant leaving silence in his wake. Jack and I are still holding onto each other, and the entire room is stunned.

Lifting my chin, I look up at Jack. “Did I say yes?”

He exhales a grin, nodding as he pulls my head to his lips. Sadie has made her way through the crowd to stand beside Levi, and the team and Logan and Dylan close around them.

They’re going to be okay. It’s going to be hard, and I don’t know if they’ll make it. They’re two sparrows in a hurricane, but they have a village here. I’ve seen how the town rallies around its own in times of trouble.

I don’t know what the future holds, but they have as good a chance as any of us.