‘You know, I didn’t have any dresses falling below my knee,’ Angel complains to Harmony. ‘I had to buy something especially. Are they gonna refund us the costs of that?’
It’s impossible to know what Harmony Reese is thinking because she always keeps such a poker face. ‘Probably not,’ our captain sighs.
Shawny’s finished with her mascara. ‘Who goes to a wedding by bus anyways?’ she blurts. ‘Seriously. We’re like a tour group showing up to Brody Conway’s wedding. Kathleen might as well be holding up one of those stuffed animals with a stick up its ass so we can all follow it around. We might as well wear matching visors.’
‘You know, I heard the guys all got an invite in the mailwith a plus one,’ Jewel says, turning so I can zip her into her dress.
‘Which guys?’ Angel asks.
‘Like, the whole football team. They’re all invited too.’
‘The football team is coming to the wedding?’ I blurt without thinking, because this whole week Jake Walsh has been coming to the diner most mornings trying to get my phone number, and he didn’t mention he would be there at the ceremony today. And my thoughts immediately turn to whether he’ll be bringing a plus one.
‘Why, you interested in a player, Ren?!’ Angel laughs, until Harmony gives her a stern look in my defense.
Shawny is frowning. ‘How come they all get a plus one? We don’t get plus ones. I bet they don’t gotta go by bus neither.’
‘Are we allowed to talk to them at the wedding reception?’ Jewel asks wistfully, looking to Harmony for the answer.
‘Definitely not,’ Angel clarifies, and I swear I see a look of sadness shimmer across Harmony’s features.
‘That’s too bad,’ Jewel continues, ‘because I sure as hell would like to speak to Jake Walsh. Ask him if he’d like to take me to dinner one time.’
My stomach churns. ‘Girls, hurry it up,’ Harmony says, reminding us that we only have twenty more minutes before the bus is due to depart.
Kathleen ushers us all onto the bus, muttering ‘good’ and ‘very nice,’ as one by one she checks each of us is dressed appropriately. In front of me, Persia is now wearing a long, flowing peacock blue dress.
‘Stunning, Persia,’ Kathleen says as Persia grants her a perfect smile. ‘Nice work.’
Jewel and I stand side by side as she looks us over. ‘Just lovely, girls. On you go.’
We’re the last of the squad to get on the bus and there aren’t two seats together.
‘I’ll go back, you go front,’ Jewel says as I retrace my steps. The only seat free is next to Harmony.
‘You mind if I sit down?’ I ask her.
She shifts over a fraction. ‘Sure,’ she says, and I sit.
Kathleen steps onto the bus and exchanges words with the driver. Then she’s grasping the tops of the seats and addressing the squad as a group.
‘Ladies,’ she says as she raises her voice. ‘Y’all look beautiful today. Now, I know this is a wedding, and weddings are a time to celebrate. No doubt there will be plenty to eat and drink. May I remind you that first and foremost, you are CMC. That means, you are still on representational duty. While there will be many guests there from the NFL, there will be many guests who are unfamiliar with who you are and what you do. Please be courteous and act respectably at all times. Any inappropriate behavior could result in your expulsion from this team. The entire Mutineers team will be present today with their partners. As per the terms of your contract, it is not permitted to speak to them, so please do not do so.’
From behind, I hear Shawny’s voice. ‘Kathleen, what happens if they talk to us?’
‘Then you politely excuse yourself. They have been asked not to approach you.’
‘What if it’s one of their wives? Or girlfriends?’
‘Well then, that’s fine,’ Kathleen says with a sigh.
I then hear Angel’s voice. ‘What happens if you’re talking with one of their wives and the husband wants to join in the conversation?’
Kathleen rolls her eyes. ‘Ladies, please just use your common sense. They have been reminded of the rules for our squad.’
The driver starts the engine and it stutters into action. As we begin our journey to the Country Club, on the far east of Canyon on the Texas coastline, I look across at Harmony, offering her a smile.
‘I like your dress,’ I say.
