“I think it is so…” I chuckle airily, as this whole week I’ve been extremely giddy, lighthearted, and nothing can put me in a bad mood.
She smirks knowingly. “So that’s the real reason you spent all weekend at home?”
“No.” I shake my head, as the stacks of boxes still cloud my brain. “I went there to clean, but I reconnected with someone, and well, we areconnecting.”My voice trails off into another giggle. “I’m excited to see him again. And, then tomorrow, I’ll clean out all the junk.”
She sighs, as if she’s holding back hordes of advice, but heads back to her prep area, where pans of chicken breast are already prepped, but because she’s a perfectionist, she grabs a ramekin of olive oil and a brush and dabs a little on each one. “What are you doing with all the purged junk?”
“Ah, it depends on what it is. If it’s worth the money, I’ll sell it online. If it’s usable, but not worth any money, I’ll donate it.” The dish boy still isn’t back, but I turn to Grace anyway. “If it’s okay, I’m going to head out early. All my brownies are cut, plated, and chilling. I even did all the dishes, which clearly isn’t the job of a sous chef.”
Her grin is instant, teasing yet supportive. “I’m going to need a full report on Monday, but have a great weekend.”
“Thanks.” My cheeks heat, as I head to the back door, and grab my coat off the hook. Despite being in a hurry, I still pause to peer at the ocean, my daily unwinding, and the sole reason Imoved here. I’d dreamed my whole life of living near the ocean. With the meager wages of a cook, I never got close, but I get to work on beachfront property every day, which is close enough for me.
The sun is setting off a kaleidoscope of colors in the sky that reflects off the low tide. There’s a soft wave teasing the shore, bringing in random strings of algae as sea treasure. I inhale the salty air and can’t help but feel blessed. It’s a tad interesting how I had been in a hurry to leave my hometown, but now I rush back home with butterflies in my gut. I’m left wondering if maybe my being in a huge hurry to move away made me miss out on something—or someone—better?
It’s first and ten when I scramble through the already-filled bleachers to find a seat near the team. Friday night football is like a holiday in our town, and I quickly determine I’m going to the nosebleed seats. As I pivot to climb the stairs, a husky voice bellows out above the cheers of the crowd, “Gia! I saved you a spot.”
A couple of women near me give me a sly smile, and suddenly I’m sixteen again with my first crush, all the butterflies spiral into my gut. I practically float down the steps. True to his word, North saved me one of the best spots, right behind the guys. Across the steps, the band toots out the school song, and it’s all I can do not to make a cheerleader high V, as I practiced this song so much, I could dance to it in my sleep.
“I hope this is okay.” North quickly leans in, putting a Nike on the bleacher below me. “I had to bribe a lady with a bucket of popcorn to give it up.”
“It’s perfect.” The air is crisp, and stings to inhale. I pull my canary-yellow knit mittens out of my coat pocket and slip my hands into them.
“I’m glad you made it. I’ll find you after the game.” He strolls backwards onto the field, waving at me. One side of his lips is higher than the other, and a single dimple drops below it like a little exclamation point to his smile.
“Good luck!” I tug my beanie lower to cover the bottoms of my ears. It’s been years since I sat outside on metal bleachers in the frigid air. I clearly forgot I should have brought something to sit on. My teeth chatter through each quarter, but there’s no way I’m leaving because there’s nothing I’d rather do than support North.
North has been amazing for the team—and the whole town knows it—bringing the Bulldogs to the state championship the last two years. It ignited a plethora of school spirit that has taken over the town. Every seat in the stadium is colored white, red, or blue, and flags and posters dot the rows of fans.
A tinge of sadness buds in my chest as I recall how the crowd used to cheer like this for Rocco when he was the town hero. I never assumed he’d always stay in the limelight, but I sure didn’t expect him to become such a disgrace.
“Excuse me, ma’am.” A young kid taps me on the shoulder, and I turn to find him holding a hot chocolate out. “This is for you.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t order that.” I tap my coat pocket, feeling for my wallet to pay because it sounds like the perfect thing to warm me up.
“It’s yours, and it’s paid for.” He pushes it further toward me. “Coach Newson put it on his tab.”
“Oh.” My lips form a perfect O, as a ping spirals right to my heart, and I eagerly accept it. “Well, isn’t that thoughtful.” The hot chocolate is the secret sauce to keep my teeth from chattering, and I didn’t realize how thirsty I was as I quickly finish it.
Before I know it, the guys line up for their final defensive play, and the ball is quickly intercepted. The crowd jumps to their feet, and everyone screams their hearts out while the ball is carried all the way to the endzone. It’s a play for the movies as time runs out right when the winning touchdown is scored. I’m back in cheerleader mode, standing on the bleachers, screaming with everyone else. “Bulldog Victory!”
I pump my fist in the air, and the crowd around me cascades down the bleachers, rushing the field. I get caught up in the excitement and run right to North. His open-mouth grin displays all his joy as he effortlessly scoops me up, swinging me around, and we scream out in excitement all the while I’m acutely aware thatI’m in his arms.
Like his strong masculine arms that have never looked better. Yep, those are the ones. They’re wrapped all the way around me, and he’s holding me right next to his chest.
Yep, that’s strong and masculine, too, and I would have definitely remembered if I’d felt that before. The musky scent of his aftershave permeates off of him, and I’m being consumed by it in the best way.
This is better than winning the football game.
After twirling me for more than a few complete circles, North sets me down…but he doesn’t let go, his eyes lock on mine. A bolt of electricity slams into my heart, completely disabling me. Being this close to him is all I ever wanted, and it’s better than I could have imagined. He’s tall, but so am I, and we fit together perfectly. As I tilt my head back just a little, I can see directly into his eyes, and they capture me, drawing me further into his joy.He drops his chin next to my ear, and whispers, “Meet me under the bleachers,” before he pulls away, while motioning with his head toward the team huddle. “Wait for me.”
My lips curl up, all the while my heart pounds against my rib cage, and I step back, waving until he runs to meet up with his team. His dark wavy hair ruffles under the congratulatory pats on the head. Seeing him so happy makes my heart swell with even more joy.
Taking the long way back to our little spot under the bleachers, I absorb the aroma of the field. Popcorn and fresh air—it all comes rushing back at once. All the nights I watched Rocco play, many years as a cheerleader. After he got kicked out of the NFL, I was embarrassed to show my face anywhere that had anything to do with football, not realizing I lost one of my passions too. I loved watching the games with dad. Even with all those memories of watching Rocco, I can’t find one single memory where I wasn’t also secretly watching North. He was always in my peripheral vision, but in the center of my heart.
“Hey!” North jogs my way, his voice hoarse from all the screaming. By now the wind is in full force, and light flurries are swirling, causing the tall trees behind the stadium to sway.
“That was fast,” I call back to him, while rubbing my mittens together and shuffling my feet. As the sun had gone down below the horizon, it had gotten so much colder out.
