As I take a step toward Clint’s mom, two teenage boys jog by tossing a football back and forth between them.
After catching a lob from his friend, the redheaded kid says, “Hey, aren’t you Jake Thompson?”
“Yes.” I nod and rotate my shoulders. Crouching for that long has my back knotted with tension.
“I watched you play football when I was in fifth grade. You were my idol.” The redheaded teenager, who’s the taller of the two boys, shoves out his hand. “My name’s Todd, and this is Damion. I’m a receiver, and Damion’s a cornerback.”
“Hey.” The boy with ebony hair and black-rimmed glasses lifts his hand and gives me a brief wave.
“How’s the team this year?”
Most of the crowd has dispersed, except for a woman rubbing the upper back of Clint’s mother. I don’t recognize either one of them, which is unusual in a small town. They’re clearly new to Brookhaven.
“We’re four and one.” A leaf from the massive oak tree that stands watch over the blue painted jungle gym flutters to the ground to join the other golden-tinted leaves that’ve fallen.
“Isn’t Levi Wood the quarterback?” Levi is the younger brother of Dominic, one of my best friends.
“Yes, he is.”
“I’ll have to take in a game.” I shove my hands into my pockets as the hairs on the back of my neck stand. I don’t have to turn around to know that Emily is glaring at me. It takes everything inside of me to keep from turning around and laying into her.
What does she have to be pissed off at me for? I tried to help her out of a bad situation, and she threw it in my face. And now, she’s angry at me? I’m the one who has every right to tell her to fuck off, not the other way around.
“Definitely show up. We’d love to have you there,” Damion says as he tips his head toward his friend, causing his hair to flop at the ends. “Todd and I’d love to hear your advice.”
After they jog off, I approach Clint’s mother. “He’s a strong kid. He’s going to be just fine.”
“Thank you.” She smiles weakly. “I’m always telling him not to do crazy things, but he never listens. Maybe this time, he’ll realize he’s not invincible.” She tosses a strand of blonde hair behind her shoulder and bites her bottom lip. “I’m new in town.I moved here after my divorce from Clint’s father. You seem to be quite the celebrity.”
“Uh…. Thanks.”
“My name is Rebecca. Rebecca Morales.” She rests her hand on my upper back and tips her tits toward me. “Thank you so much for helping my boy.”
When her thumb brushes along my shoulder blade, I force down a groan. “You’re welcome.” The last thing I need is for someone to throw themselves at me when I’m working.
“Would you–”
“Your son is in good hands.” I step to the side, causing her hand to drop. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Uh…” Rebecca’s face turns red as she clears her throat. “Thank you.”
She’s a pretty woman. Nice figure. Seems like a good mom. None of that means a damn thing to me. I can’t remember the last time I was interested in hooking up with someone. God, that makes me sound pathetic.
Emily grabs the gurney handle nearest Clint’s head as her partner grasps the other end. Together, they roll the cart toward the ambulance.
When she’s beside me, her eyes flash with anger. “We’re here as public servants to the community, not to hear everyone gush about the town golden boy.” Her voice is again low enough, so that no one else can hear her.
“And you still think you know everything about me.”
“I know enough.” Her jaw flexes as she marches past me.
Obviously, Miss High and Mighty. Apparently, she’s forgotten the last time we saw each other when she was behaving like a spoiled kid.
I warned her about Spencer. And she still laughed with him. Sat with him. Touched him. Like I didn’t matter at all. The worst part wasn’t even the kiss. The worst thing was realizing she’d been smiling at him the whole damned time.
“Take care of yourself,Em.”
Her back straightens, but she makes no other move to show she heard me. Like I’m not worth acknowledging.
