Despite a hard-fought battle, the all-men’s team lost to Sophia, Jaylen, and True’s team. Caleb loved every minute of it. Sophia cheered him on when it was his turn, eliciting groans from her teammates. He loved the way she let out a little squeal and jumped in the air every time she had a high score. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Sophia made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. She was a woman who had a lot on her plate, including the new wrinkle about her ex trying to get joint custody, but she still managed to radiate joy.
“Careful,” Landon said, “if you stare any harder, you might bore a hole straight through her.”
“I like watching her,” Caleb admitted. It made him happy, which would sound way too corny if he said it out loud. This feeling had been a long time coming. He had never imagined that he would meet anyone in Moose Falls who would evoke these strong emotions.
“That could sound creepy, but I’m just happy to see you back in the game,” Xavier said, patting Caleb on the back. “I like her for you.”
His chest tightened at Xavier’s words. The thought of things becoming serious with Sophia made him nervous. It gave him flashbacks to his disastrous relationship with Abby and how it had broken him. He’d never imagined that he would be ready to wade back into the waters with anyone this fast.
Afterward, they sat down and ate pizza and chicken wings as Jaylen cracked them up with knock-knock jokes.
“Xavier,” Jaylen said. “Knock, knock.”
“Who’s there?” Xavier asked.
“A little old lady.”
“A little old lady who?”
“I didn’t know you could yodel,” Jaylen said, throwing his head back and cracking up at his own joke.
Xavier nodded approvingly. “That’s a good one.” He clapped him on the shoulder.
Seeing Jaylen and Xavier’s tight bond drove home the point that Xavier was building a life for himself in Moose Falls. He would be a father figure for young Jaylen. And considering the fact that he had helped Daisy raise him and Landon, Caleb knew Jaylen couldn’t ask for a more dependable and solid influence in his life. Xavier possessed all the qualities to make an outstanding dad.
Caleb was sitting at the end of the table next to Sophia. He had the feeling his brothers and True were sitting a discreet distance away from them in order to give them a little privacy. They hadn’t been at all subtle about it, which he thought was pretty nice of them.
“I love seeing your brothers so excited for you,” Sophia said as she filled her plate with slices of cheese and pepperoni pizza. Throughout the evening they had mentioned the campaign and Caleb’s role in it.
“I hope you know that your talent is the real star of the campaign,” Caleb told her. “You’ve got skills, girl.” From the photos he’d seen, Sophia had worked her special brand of magic and made him look rugged, suave, and a bit out of reach.
Sophia grinned. Her cheeks flushed at the compliment. “That’s sweet of you to say. We worked really well together, which I appreciate.” She let out a chuckle. “You’d be surprised how many people I photograph get swollen heads andturn into divas. I think a lot of good things are going to be coming your way, Caleb, as the campaign rolls out.” Sophia had a knowing expression on her face.
Caleb sure hoped so. Life had taught him that nothing was promised, and there was no point in counting his chickens. He wasn’t in control of any of this.
“It’s a bit premature, but I’ll take the enthusiasm and good vibes.” He made a face. “I haven’t had anything in a long time to feel proud about. Being on the reality show was supposed to be my big moment, but I think it’s safe to say I crashed and burned.” He took a big bite of his pizza slice, then washed it down with some water.
“I’m happy to see you’ve come full circle. Being the face of Yukon Cider is a big deal. Did you know they’ve never had a spokesmodel before?”
Caleb felt a warm sensation in the center of his chest.
“Hattie did tell me that, and to say I’m honored is an understatement. I’m not sure that I’ve ever led the way in anything before.” He shrugged. “Xavier was always first in every way imaginable. First kiss. First date. First to graduate.”
Sophia’s grin lit up her entire face. “Well then, even better. Your very own first.”
“Growing up, I always felt overshadowed by my brothers and their accomplishments. I wasn’t an athlete or a scholar. That made it really hard for me to figure out my place in the scheme of things.”
Being the middle child hadn’t always worked out well for him. With Xavier being a football star and Landon excelling in academics, he’d always felt that he wasn’t special. Being loved by his family had made him feel safe and secure, but he’d always wished he hadn’t felt so lost.
“This might be your time. Who knows where this mightlead,” Sophia said in a spirited tone. He loved her enthusiasm and the optimistic way she viewed the world. Even though she tried to project a tough girl image, she was in actuality all tenderness and warmth.
He let out a chuckle. “I felt that way before when I went onLove Him or Leave Him. That didn’t exactly work out the way I imagined.” His experience in the world of reality television was one of the main reasons he was always careful not to set his hopes too high. If he did, it meant he had a long way to fall if things went wrong.
“In my experience, life rarely does.” She raised her soda to her mouth and took a swig. “I never imagined I would be raising a child on my own, but sometimes the things we never expected turn into our biggest blessings.” She let out a throaty chuckle. “Sounds corny, but it’s true. Life has so many twists and turns.”
“No, it doesn’t,” he said, nodding, “it sounds amazing. My mother used to say that something wonderful is always waiting for us around the corner.”
“Your mother sounds like a national treasure. I bet she misses her boys a lot. I can’t imagine ever being away from Lily even when she’s all grown up.” A thoughtful expression crossed her face.
