“It is, Mom. And you telling me that it’s not is gaslighting. You can look that term up later on Giggle if you’d like. But those are the facts. That’s what happened. And I’m sorry if it hurts you to hear it but it’s the truth.”
“So,” Dad said with a touch of humor in his voice. That was Dad’s way and I usually loved it. But not tonight. “What you’re saying is that you’re probably not excited to move back here next year?”
“Move back?” I said, shocked. “I’m not moving back. Are you kidding me?”
“But Christy?” Mom sniffled. “This ishome.”
I shook my head even though she couldn’t see. “Not anymore. Not for me.” I didn’t know if I’d stay in this town either. With the way things were, probably not. But I’d gotten a taste of freedom—not placating everyone, being whoever I wanted to be, not having them criticize my every move—and I wasn’t ready to give that up. Nothing against Laramie, but my family had a long way to go before I’d ever want to live near them again. If I ever did. “I’ll come home for short visits but I’m afraid that’s as good as it’s going to get. You might want to get used to trips to Virginia. Theleaves are stunning right now. I think you’d really like it, Mom.” The game had already started. “I need to go and you probably need time to process. I do love you guys. I hope you know that.”
Mom was ugly crying. I couldn’t see her, but the hiccuping sobs coming through the phone told all.
“Good luck tonight, darling,” Dad said over her wailing. “And make sure you let us know what happens?”
“I will.”
I hopped out of my truck, lighter. And I smiled.
Whatever happened in that school board meeting tonight, I wasn’t going to give it another second of worry. No. Right now, I was going to watch my girls play.
The lightness only lasted until I reached the doors of the school. I didn’t know what kind of greeting I was going to get when I walked into the gym. I’d gotten a few nasty emails from parents when everything happened right after the pep rally. And one kind of funny one. A mom who said something similar to Ming. “Holden Dupree is one fine specimen of a man. I feel okay saying that because I’m happily married. Good for you for going after what you want. Just, maybe, next time, do it at home. Lol.” Once I’d stopped crying about the other messages, I’d giggled about that one for weeks. But I hadn’t heard a peep from any parents or faculty in a long time. Not about the kiss anyway.
As I made my way past the ticket taker, who was also one of our cafeteria ladies, she smiled. “Hey there, Miss Thornbury. It’s nice to see you.”
That was good. At least one person didn’t hate me.
I paused as my fingers curled around the gym door handle. And then I swung it open.
Thankfully, JV was in the middle of an intense volley and I slipped onto the closest bleachers mostly unnoticed. Holden was on his feet, arms crossed, brow hardened, watching thegirls diligently. Maybe if I sat really still, and kind of curled in on myself no one would?—
“Hey!” Peyton said way too loud, right behind me. It was almost a shout. “Why’re you sitting over here alone?” She pointed—yes pointed, arm outstretched for the world to see—up to the top of the bleachers. Most of the Spartan Race group was here. Unfortunately, Knox was one of them and he was grinning like it was his lucky night.
It was not.
But the pull to sit with people who were smiling and waving for me to join them was too strong. I may not know them well but it was better than sitting alone. I followed her up the stairs, eyes on my feet so I wouldn’t have to meet anyone else’s gaze. People were starting to notice me now.
A woman whispered, “What is she doing here? I thought they said she couldn’t come in the building.”
Eyes down, feet still moving.
Then a woman called me a name that should never be said on school property and my hackles rose. Because I knew that voice. My gaze skidded to where it came from. Amber was sitting next to Jilly, who looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole. I cut her a glare so she would know that I knew exactly who’d said it.
Then I shook it off and kept going, hushed voices now lighting the room like wildfire.
But then someone squeezed my hand as I walked by. I looked down to see Bo Dupree smiling up at me with his dark hair and blue eyes that looked just like Silas’s.
“Hey, fancy meeting you here, stranger,” he said like he couldn’t hear any of them. Then in front of all the naysayers, one of the most respected men in Seddledowne stood and pulled me into a tight paternal hug. It felt like hugging my dad. My breath caught in my throat, and I blinked back tears.
The room hushed.
I squeezed him back and laughed. “Hey. I’m glad to be here.”
Jenny was next. Her hug longer and more desperate. Clearly, she still thought I was Holden’s last hope. “Anna’s going to be so excited you came. Holden too.” She had to get him in there. Then she passed me to Lemon. Her’s was quick, but when it was over, she pulled me to the seat next to her. Then she waved over her shoulder for Peyton to join us.
Big sigh of relief. The murmurs had died down. And a potential Knox situation was averted.
“Coach Christy!” Brooklyn waved from the floor. And the heads that had just looked away were turned again. I gave her an embarrassed wave, but then all the girls started waving and then I started laughing because they were so adorable, and oh my goodness, I’d missed them so much.
My gaze fell to Holden because how could it not? Or maybe it was because he was watching me and I’d felt it. Which I had. His expression was neutral but his eyes were bright like it made his night that I was here. Without thinking I shrugged and smiled at him.
