Then Garrett surprises me when he asks, “Is Fable coming to the parade?”
My heart trips over a beat. The adopt-a-thon is included in our contract, but I didn’t register until this moment that it was right after the parade. And given our history, I don’t know the answer to his question.
It was an embarrassing event for both of us for different reasons. Iwas a loose cannon that morning and had no business getting into a fight in the middle of the parade. Shame coats my throat every time I remember it. Iwish I could go back and change a hundred things about that day.
Standing to watch that same parade with Fable—I don’t know if I can do it.
“I’m not sure yet,” I reply before taking the last bite of my sandwich.
Bumper-to-bumper traffic only happens in downtown Fern River on three occasions. When Lou’s Pizza is hosting their annual three-for-one sale, when Santa visits the square in December, and every Friday afternoon, from three thirty to five, when the Volunteer Fire Department gets together for a group training circuit.
Cars line both sides of the road. Today seems to be particularly popular with the misty, damp April air making our shirts cling to our bodies like we’re competing in a wet T-shirt contest.
Maddox grunts, pushing a kettlebell into the air. “I know it’s your first day, but we tend to actually work out. Quit smiling for the cameras.”
Beside me, Lizzy and Brooks snicker as they copy Maddox’s movements.
“I can do both.” I pick up my water bottle and spray it in my best friend’s face before he can block the stream. He barks a laugh, lifting the bottom of his shirt to wipe his forehead. Ithink I hear the sound of brakes squealing on the street.
“Cathy. Ten o’clock.” He jerks his chin toward where she’s crouched on the ground with a camera pointed our way. A hand smacks my stomach harder than necessary. “Look alive. Fable might see these pictures,” he teases, and I return his stomach smack. “How is she?”
Instead of answering, I grab my phone off the bench and show him my new background photo. Fable’s sitting on her couch, her knees tucked up to her chest, hair wild and wavy like she just woke up, with a sleepy little scowl and her middle finger pointed at the camera.
She looks absolutely edible.
He squints at the photo, then me, and chuckles. “Oh, so you’re downbad.”
“Says the man who was rubbing his wife’s feet for an hour the other night.”
“There’s no shaming me for that,” he says, shaking his head. “I’d do anything that woman asked me to, with a smile on my face. Put it on my grave:This man was down bad for his wife since the moment he met her.”
“I’ll be sure it says that,” I promise as my phone rings. An unknown number appears on the screen, and I swipe to answer it. “Hello?”
A man’s voice asks, “Is this Theo Nikolaou?”
“Yes?”
“Hi, Theo. This is Drew over at the rec center.”
“Oh!” I step away from the fire crew to hear better. “How are you?”
“I’m good. Got your message about coaching Little League this season.” His voice dips like bad news is on the way. “But here’s the thing. We don’t have any spots open.”
Disappointment slumps my shoulders. “Okay, I’m—”
“However, I do need a soccer coach.”
I wince. “I played baseball—”
“Listen,” he interrupts, sounding exhausted. “I had a guy drop out. His shifts got switched around and he’s not gonna be able to do it. So I have a team of five- and six-year-old girls who desperately need someone—anyone—who can show up for them. And they won’t give a hoot if you’ve never played soccer, I promise. We’re not talking about the Olympics here. They’re out there to have fun. What do you say?”
Chapter 14
Fable
“Do you think I’m having a midlife crisis?” I ask Mia as I lean my elbows on the counter and peer around the empty hardware store.
She hums through the phone. “Have you already given yourself bangs?” Her keyboard clacks in the background, and as usual, I’m thoroughly impressed with her ability to multitask.
