Then that cocky smile that won me over from the beginning spread across his face. And my heart sputtered like we were still a thing. He lifted a hand in an awkward wave. Which made me giggle because Holden had probably never been awkward a day in his life. Except right then.
Lemon chortled next to me.
But then the moment was over because the ref blew the whistle. Which was good because I’d just told Holden we were through. And if I wanted to hold my ground, I couldn’t be having heart-pounding, stomach-swooping moments like that.
JV won in a landslide and as soon as they were off the court, they stampeded the bleachers. Anna tackled me in a hug. And then Brooklyn. And Shanaya. And then Lemon andPeyton scooted out of the way because the rest showed up. And pretty soon it was one big pile of squealing estrogen.
“Oh my gosh.” I had to touch each one of them on their cheeks or shoulders. “You guys played so well. I’m so proud of you. What a way to end the season. And thank you for all the texts inviting me to come.”
Brooklyn made duck lips. “Like we had a choice. Coach D said he’d bench anyone who didn’t. He’s been a grump-head since you left.”
My throat grew thick. Holden had orchestrated all the invites?
Anna groaned. “Seriously?”
“You weren’t supposed to tell her that,” Shanaya glowered. “OMG, Brooklyn.”
“Wait.” My gaze ping-ponged between them. “He told you to invite me?” Heads bobbed all around me.
Anna shrugged like now that it was out, all bets were off. “He knew today might be hard with the school board meeting.”
“But he didn’t have to threaten us,” Brooklyn said. “We would’ve done it anyway. Obvs.”
Then, her shoulders dropped and they all looked so forlorn.
“Guys?” I reached out to pat Mari, our cute JV libero, on the shoulder. She looked like she’d been crying. “What’s going on? Are you just sad that the season’s over?” JV didn’t go to the playoffs. Only varsity if they won their game.
Anna’s smile was melancholy. “Everybody’s just sad because Uncle Holden isn’t coaching next year.”
My head tilted. “C’mon guys. You knew that was temporary. He’s gotta go back to DC and get a real job.” I smiled so they’d see I was okay with it. Even though I was so totally not.
Anna frowned. “He’s not going back to DC. He’s staying here.”
I cocked my head. “I think you’re confused.”
She raised her brows like it was laughable that she, his niece, wouldn’t know something like that. “Uh, no. He’s definitely staying.” Her expression was giddy. “He’s running for District Attorney of Seddledowne.”
My heart jolted and I sat up straight. “What?” He’d never said a word about anything like that to me. I didn’t even know that was on his radar. “When did that happen?”
Anna’s eyes rolled up to the ceiling and she ticked off her fingers. “Saturday, he drove to DC to put his house on the market. Sunday, he told the family. Yesterday, he told that Jedd guy who’s been bugging him for months. And let me tell you, Jedd was supes happy because now he can retire and he and his wife can spend their winters at Disney World. And then this morning Uncle Holden went to the courthouse and filed some documents for it. The election isn’t until next year but Jedd’s ready. So in the next couple of weeks, he’s going to officially retire so Holden can take over as interim D.A.” She was out of fingers and out of breath. She inhaled and plowed on. “He’s going to live in me and Mom’s old house while he builds a new one on the ranch for you two. It’s all part of his big plan to win you back.”
I swallowed. “Plan to win me back?”
“I wasn’t supposed to say that.” Her eyes skittered around the group. “Please don’t tell him. He will kill me.”
Oh my heart.
Had Holden seen my goodbye as a challenge? I didn’t know but I did know that apparently the way to get a guy’s attention is to walk away. Who would’ve known?
Actually, probably a lot of women. Just not Christy Thornbury.
Brooklyn sksksksk’d Anna and the other girls hooted. Anna’s face was bright red, her eyes still pleading.
“Anna, of course.” I crossed a finger over my heart. “Your secret is safe with me.”
A minute later they scurried off to change and go sit with their friends and families.
Holden was staying in Seddledowne to run for D.A.? And he was going to build us a house on the ranch?
