Page 6

Allie

W hen he returns to where we’re all watching him from beside the smaller bar near the pool tables, Jack has that look on his face. It’s the same one he wears when he’s watching his brother Hendrix play a tight game. Intense .

Garrett is the first to speak. “Good-looking kid.”

Logan adds, “Tough-looking kid.”

The muscle in Jack’s square jaw moves attractively. He’s not a big talker like Garrett or Hendrix or Logan—when Logan’s in the mood.

Zane is also quiet, and he’s watching his oldest brother like I am.

“Did I hear him say they moved here from Gainesville?” Zane’s voice is quiet. “That’s a tough district. A lot of good players come out of there.”

My chest tightens, because I also heard the man say his son is a starting quarterback. Jack’s been working so closely with Austin for so long, and I know he’s as proud of my son as I am.

At the same time, I know he’s under a lot of pressure to win every season. Parents want headlines, because headlines draw scouts, which in turn draws scholarships.

Lord knows, Austin has to get a scholarship if he’s going to attend college—or get a loan, which I hate. But there’s no way I can pay for tuition on a waitress-slash-school librarian’s salary.

Logan leans against his elbow on the bar. “How do you think the boys will respond?”

“I don’t know.” Jack’s blue eyes flicker to mine, and they soften ever so slightly. “We’ll make it work.”

I take a sip of my beer, doing my best not to let the heat burning in my chest move up to my cheeks. I have no reason to respond to him the way I do. Jack Bradford has only ever treated Austin and me with respect and courtesy… much to my disappointment.

Despite what certain parents might think, he doesn’t show favoritism. If there’s a better player than Austin on the team, he’ll put that boy in the best spot. It’s part of the reason I have a knot in my throat at the thought of Levi Powell.

“My goodness, did I walk into a stable?” Liv’s laughing voice joins us, and she walks up with her daughter Gigi on her hip. “Why all the long faces?”

As soon as Garrett’s daughter sees her daddy, she starts fussing and reaching for him.

“There’s my little princess.” Garrett lifts the two-year-old from his wife’s arms, then he kisses Liv’s cheek. “And my queen.”

“Bruh,” Logan teases, and it almost breaks the tension.

“Jack just got a surprise new player,” Garrett tells her, ignoring his bestie. “He’s a good-looking kid from Florida, who has his eye on the QB-1 position.”

“But that’s Austin’s spot.” Liv’s brow furrows, and her hazel eyes cut to me. “You okay, Allie?”

“Yeah… Yes!” I try not to sound as flustered as I feel. “Of course.”

I take another sip of beer, wishing I could figure out a way to slowly drift away from this conversation. The expression on Jack’s face is close to a wince, and we all know it’s because of me and my son.

He might not show favoritism, but he’s been very quick to promote Austin.

“I’d better check on Dylan.” I take a step back. “I’m not really on the clock anymore, but Friday nights can get busy.”

“I’ll go with you.” Liv takes my arm, and I’m thankful for her support.

The guys smile and nod, but none of them say a word. We turn, and the first person I see is Lucas Outlaw’s mother Marilyn. She’s sitting with her husband at a booth not too far from where we were all talking, and they’re watching everything closely as we are.

With the noise in the bar, I can’t tell if they were able to hear what was said.

Still, I’m pretty sure they saw the new man and his son talking to Jack.

Coach Bradford doesn’t do too much this time of year that the parents don’t notice, and Lucas will be affected as much as Austin if a new quarterback joins the team. He’ll go from backup to third string.

Warmth swirls at my back, and a strong hand grips my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.

“Hey, Allie?” My heart jumps to my throat at the sound of Jack’s voice.

I turn to see him frowning down at me.

“Hey.” My heart beats faster, but I force a smile. “What’s up, Coach?”

“Don’t worry about all that.” His brow is furrowed and his jaw set. He almost seems angry. “Austin’s going to be fine. He’s going to have a good year.”

The urgency in his tone squeezes my chest. It doesn’t help my secret crush when he’s so over-the-top protective of us and so obviously concerned about my feelings. What am I going to do with you, Jack Bradford?

I nod, keeping my voice quiet. “Okay.”

“And ah, I like your glasses. ”

Reaching up, I realize I’m still wearing them… and he likes them . “Thanks.”

His blue eyes hold mine a tantalizing moment longer, and his lips press like he might say more. Breathless seconds tick past, but he releases me and takes a step away.

“Okay.” His expression is tight, but he turns, going to the booth where Lucas’s family is having burgers and fries.

I want to linger and see what he’ll say to them, if he’ll tell them not to worry like he told me, or if he’ll simply make small talk and tell them Lucas is doing well.

He’s good with words of encouragement, even with the overbearing parents. He’s a good coach. He’s an even better man. Fuck me, I’m so gone for him.

I force my feet to move, to follow Liv into the kitchen, feeling the weight of all the eyes in the restaurant on everything that’s happening.

Liv stops to hold the door for me, and as I pass she mutters under her breath, “I swear, you two.”

“Allie!” Dylan’s loud yell interrupts, and I hurry over to where she’s sitting on the large metal workplace holding her iPad Pro.

Craig is standing near, and I guess they’re planning next week’s Dare Night.

“Are you looking at recipes?” I ask, stepping closer. “Show me what you’ve got.”

“You know me so well.” She tilts her head, fluttering her lashes at me and laughing. “I’m going to miss you so much when school starts. I miss you already! Are you sure you don’t want to work here full time?”

“But I really like working in the library.” I move her curly hair off her shoulder.

“I know,” she frowns. “Why does Liv look like she’s annoyed with you?”

“Not with her.” Liv walks up, crossing her arms over her chest. “With your big brother. ”

Liv and Garrett started dating when they were in high school, which means she’s basically been part of this family all her life.

“Which one?” Dylan laughs. “They’re all pretty pig-headed in their own special ways.”

“Jack.” She glances from Dylan to me. “He walked all the way across the room to tell Allie not to worry about her son’s football career. Then he just walked away.”

Dylan’s lips twist, and she looks at me curiously. “What did you say to that, Ms. Sinclair?”

“Stop.” I hold up a hand, shaking my head. “Your brother has a lot on his plate dealing with this team and his daughter and all those parents… Not to mention all of you. I thought it was nice of him to even care that I was worried.”

“I don’t understand. Why would you be worried?” Dylan frowns. “Austin is so talented, and he’s being recruited like crazy.”

“There’s a new kid in town.” Liv’s eyebrow arches. “Levi Powell. All the way from Gainesville, and his dad is clearly over-involved and expecting him to be QB-1.”

“Oh.” Dylan blows a laugh through her lips. “That won’t work with Jack. He’s impervious to pushy parents.”

“Still, wasn’t it nice of your big brother to make sure our favorite sexy librarian wasn’t spooked?” Liv cuts her eyes at me, and my throat tightens.

I’m ready to argue when Kimmie Joy marches into the room clutching the squirming orange kitten to her chest. “Apricot doesn’t want to stay outside by herself, Miss Allie, and Daddy said we have to leave her here so she can establish her territory.

But how can she do that if Smokey won’t play with her? ”

Bending my knees, I squat in front of her, petting the struggling kitten. I don’t know if it’s because she looks so much like my best friend Dylan, who threw us a lifeline when we needed it most, or if it’s because her dad has been so kind to my son.

All I know is this little girl has a special place in my heart, and I do like spending time with her. I like that she comes to me for help.

Placing my hand on her back, I smile. “You know, cats are really self-sufficient.”

Kimmie’s bottom lip pouts. “But it’s dark outside, and she’s used to being with her mama cat and all her brothers and sisters. She doesn’t have anybody to cuddle with.”

“Want to know a secret?” I lean closer.

Kimmie’s eyes light, and she nods.

“Cats are nocturnal.” Her little chin pulls back, but I continue. “That means they like to stay up all night. You know how her eyes shine in the light? That means she has night vision. Apricot will figure out her territory if you let her.”

The little girl still seems worried, but I take her hand, rising slowly and leading her to the back door. “She’ll have so much fun playing tonight. You’ll see, then we can come back and see her tomorrow.”

Kimmie hesitates, looking through the screen into the pitch-black yard. “But what if there’s something out there she doesn’t like? Edward said ’possums eat kittens, and he knows everything!”

“He is pretty smart,” I concede. “But Apricot will stay away from ’possums. She knows what to do, and she can climb trees and hide.” I rub my hand over her little shoulder. “She’ll be fine. She’s smart.”

It takes a minute, but she finally relents. She bends down and puts the kitten on the top step, and as soon as she lets her go, Apricot scampers under the building.

“Oh!” Kimmie takes a step down. “What if she doesn’t know how to get out?”

Reaching for her hand, I give her another encouraging smile. “She’ll come back for the good food and pets and lots of love.”

Kimmie’s on the fence, but she takes my hand, letting me lead her into the restaurant again. A frown tugs at the side of her mouth, and a sliver of anxiety is in my chest. I’m pretty sure I’m right about all of this, but I hope nothing happens to that little cat.

Be okay, Apricot , I silently pray.