The deafening sound surrounds all my senses except one.
My sight.
The kids jump and yell excitedly on the field, gathering together in a group as Micah jumps up and down with them.
Heath runs out on the field to join his dad, all smiles and excitement as I’m able to witness their moment, one Micah may not have been able to have if his ex had had evidence of us dating.
I may have needed to be the consequence, and if I had to relive everything all over again, I would have wanted Micah to do the same thing. His son is everything that makes him who he is today, and I got wrapped up in my own feelings and not the bigger picture.
And, I feel a bit stupid, but I also feel like I was valid to feel the way I felt.
But, now…I need to turn a new chapter.
Just like Micah did.
The townfolk of Magnolia Ridge begin to pile out of the stands, and I follow, not wanting to be seen by Micah or hissister, Lucy, who, honestly, played her role in making me jealous perfectly.
I can respect it.
We might have to work on becoming friends, eventually, but for right now, I’m good with where we stand. I could use a little back-and-forth with someone who can keep me on my toes because, for a moment there, I was a walking zombie.
Recycling my glass beer bottle, I head to the parking lot where I parked, but I didn’t leave my car where everyone else did.
No, I broke another rule and parked in thesport athletics and coaching onlysection.
I’m surprised no one else decided to join me, but all that’s here is Micah’s truck and, I’m assuming, Coach Wilson.
It takes over an hour for folks and parents to leave. Coach Wilson slowly gets to his heavy-duty pick-up and doesn’t bother glancing over to see who I am or why I’m here.
And then there was one.
Running my palms along my legs, I impatiently wait for Micah to show up and get ready to leave. I have plans and things I want to say, but I’m afraid the longer I wait, the more I’m going to chicken out in the long run.
When I’m in the middle of backing out and manning up, Micah treads over to his own truck, glancing down at his phone the whole time as he walks.
He’s in black jeans, a blue tee ofMagnolia Ridge Marsh Hogslike the rest of us, and I’m happy he doesn’t see me.
It not only gives me the edge I wanted but also helps me take a deep breath before I pop my door open and slide out.
He opens his own door, throws his large bag in the front seat of his car as he scrolls with his thumb, and I walk toward him as silently as I can without receiving his attention first.
I win that, at least.
“I’d like to know how Marsh Hogs won when we had such better choices.”
Micah’s head doesn’t come up right away.
He stares at his cell before it slowly comes up and around to look at me like he didn’t hear me right.
Like I couldn’t be here because I’ve been avoiding him like the plague.
“Did you vote?” he finally asks, sounding a bit curious to know, but his blue eyes don’t miss out on my shorts that would not be deemed appropriate by any means for a teacher, but I wore them anyway.
“I did.”
“And?” His eyes unhurriedly skate up to meet mine, and I wait until they do.
“I voted for the Marsh Hogs.”
