The Talk of the Town

Chapter Four

“And then she accused me of treating Shania differently because she’s a girl.” Quinton finished his story about his conversation with Halle to his friends.

Cyril, who stood behind the bar, stopped wiping down the smooth surface. He straightened and pushed back the brown fedora covering his bald head and rubbed his beard. Of similar height, with light brown skin and a love of graphic T-shirts, Cyril was an extension of the laid-back atmosphere of his bar.

His other friend, Brian, sat next to Quinton on the opposite side of the bar. He slowly lowered the glass he’d taken a sip from, pursed his lips and stared back at Quinton through narrowed dark eyes. The lights in the bar reflected off his friend’s mahogany skin and the waves in the low fade of his stylish haircut.

Quinton looked from one to the other. The crowd was light for a Monday night, but steady enough for Cyril to have to walk away occasionally to fill an order while Quinton vented his frustration. He still couldn’t believe she’d accused him of discriminating against Shania. In his career both on the field and as a coach, he’d never automatically made assumptions about a person’s abilities. He may not be a perfect man, but he wasn’t one who wouldn’t give Shania a chance just because of her gender. He’d seen her play football. She was a decent receiver.

“Then what did you say?” Cyril asked. Thankfully sounding just as surprised by Halle’s words as Quinton had been. He hadn’t believed his friends would doubt him, but he felt vindicated that they hadn’t made the same assumption.

“I was stunned at first, then I told her that Shania would get the same treatment as any other player. As long as she can run plays then she can be on the team. I told her to never question my integrity again.”

Brian nodded. “Okay, then what did she say?”

“She just said I’m glad you understand me or some mess like that then walked off.” Quinton took a quick sip of his beer. He let out a breath and shook his head. “She had me messed up.”

Brian tapped his hand on the counter. “Wait, what? She just walked away. I swear, I’ll never understand a woman’s brain.”

Cyril chuckled and went back to casually wiping the bar’s surface. “I mean...the question may have pissed you off, but it shouldn’t have surprised you too much. If Shania was my daughter playing football, I would have asked the coach the same thing.”

“Even if it was me?” Quinton asked.

Cyril shrugged. “Look, I know you’re not one of those women need to know their place kind of guys, but if it was my daughter in a sport dominated by young, hormone-fueled teenage boys, I’d be worried. I’d want to make sure the coach wasn’t going to let her get hurt.”

“I wouldn’t let them do anything like that to her. If anything, I’m going to make sure no one treats her like she doesn’t belong. Shania loves football. Hell, from what the middle school coach told me, she knew the plays better than some of the guys on the team.”

“You know that, and I know that’s all you care about in a ball player. But Halle doesn’t know you like that,” Cyril said. “She’s just protecting her daughter.”

“If that was her only concern, then I wouldn’t be so upset. My problem is what if she tries to use that as an excuse if I don’t make Shania a starting receiver? I can’t promise her that.” He scowled and took another sip of his beer.

“Look, I’ve known Halle since we were kids,” Brian said. “She was always like that. She put her mind on something and fought like hell to get it. She was always raising money for some cause or getting in trouble because she’d skip school to go to some rally. If she thinks her daughter is going to be treated unfairly, then be ready for her to fight.”

Unlike Cyril and Quinton, Brian had grown up in Peachtree Cove. Cyril had grown up in Baltimore and Quinton had grown up in a small town on the outskirts of the Atlanta area. They’d both moved to Peachtree Cove around the same time. Quinton had originally connected with Brian through an intramural football league in town and they’d recently become friends with Cyril. During his years of playing professionally, Quinton was used to only having friends that were connected to him through playing. When he’d retired and chosen to coach in a small town, some of those relationships had fallen off. He liked having Brian and Cyril in this new chapter of his life.

“I’m not trying to fight with Halle Parker,” Quinton said. “There are a lot of things I’d like to do with her but fighting ain’t one of them.”

Cyril and Brian exchanged looks before Brian grinned and leaned in. “What do you want to do with her?”

Quinton shook his head. He wasn’t getting caught up in that trap. They knew he thought Halle was attractive. He’d mentioned it before, but he wasn’t about to let them sidetrack the conversation with thoughts of something that wasn’t going to happen.

“All I want to do with her is find a way to get through the football season without any trouble.”

Cyril grinned and gave Quinton a sly look. “I don’t think that’s what you meant.”

He did mean it, but that didn’t mean there weren’t other things that he wanted to do with Halle. There were a lot of things he’d rather do with Halle. He’d love to pull her curves against his body. Taste her lush lips. Palm her firm breasts and watch the fire flash in her eyes from passion versus the need to challenge him. The old him would have gone after her just to see if he could change the spark in her eye. He’d give his second Pro Bowl ring to take his time and prove to Halle just how good things could be between them. Had even considered pursuing her once. That was until he’d once overheard her give an offhand comment about not being into jocks. He was out of the business of trying to prove himself to anyone.

“Regardless of what you think I meant,” he said, “that’s what I’m saying right now.”

“You can be real with us,” Brian said. “If you like her, you like her.” Spoken like the friend who always had a new woman on his arm.

“If I like her then that doesn’t mean anything. I can’t mess around with the parent of one of my players. I’m already trying to convince everyone I don’t play favorites. I’ve got kids transferring to Peachtree Cove to play for me. If I start messing around with one of their mommas...” Quinton shook his head. “You think there’s gossip in this town now? Wait until that happens.”

“Gossip in this town will start up either way,” Brian said with a grin. “You might as well give the people something worth gossiping about.”

“Spoken like someone that doesn’t give a fuck,” Cyril said with a laugh.

Brian shrugged. “I don’t. Half this town is full of hypocrites. If they’re going to talk about me, I might as well be doing half of the crazy stuff they’re accusing me of doing.”

“I’d rather be off their radar,” Cyril said. A patron across the bar got his attention and he walked away.

“And I’d rather not get entangled with a player’s mom,” Quinton said. “If things don’t work out, then that makes it harder to deal with the player. No matter how much I might be interested in...showing Halle what I’m all about, I think it’s best to keep well enough alone.”

“Show Halle all that you’re about?” Brian said with a laugh. “Is that your way of being cute? Just say it, man. We’re all adults. You want to fu—”

“Nah, man,” he cut off his friend. “Besides, she’s too uptight. Sleeping with her probably wouldn’t be any fun anyway.”

A sound of surprise came from behind before a woman’s voice said, “Oh really?”

Quinton froze as Halle’s voice fell on him like a ton of bricks.

Halle wished she would have had her phone out so she could capture the picture of shock on Quinton’s face. She didn’t typically come out on a Monday night, but Tracey had texted her and Imani, saying she needed to talk and that her bed-and-breakfast wasn’t the place. Halle and Imani had immediately gone into friend mode and shuffled their evening so they could get with Tracey. Thankfully, Halle’s cousin Kayla was okay with Shania coming over. Kayla’s daughters Maya and Michelle were close in age with Shania and the three were almost inseparable.

She hadn’t expected to find Quinton at A Couple of Beers and she sure hadn’t expected to find him sitting around the bar talking to his friend Brian about all the things he wanted to show her. As if he’d ever get the chance.

“Hey, Halle, what are you doing here?” Quinton said, not sounding the least bit embarrassed to have been caught talking about wanting to sleep with her. Why she was surprised, she didn’t know. As a former professional player, he probably believed half the women he met wanted to sleep with him.

“I’m allowed to be here,” she said, crossing her arms. “Now, tell me again what exactly you would like to show me?”

Quinton held up a hand. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Then what was it like?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.

“I was just telling them that even if I were interested, which I’m not, I wouldn’t show you anything because you’re the parent of a player.”

“You wouldn’t have to worry about being interested, because even if you were it never would happen.”

He raised a brow. “Oh really?” His voice dipped to a low tenor and his gaze sharpened before it traveled over her face.

Prickles of heat danced across Halle’s cheeks. She sucked in a breath and narrowed her eyes. She fought not to shift as the awareness in his gaze tapped on something long dormant inside her. “Really. Nothing would ever happen between us.”

He let out a breath before the corners of his lips twitched in the barest hint of a smile. “Okay.”

The tone of his voice, as if he agreed with her, went against the challenge in his eyes. Was he calling her bluff? The man was handsome, and yes, she could see the sex appeal when he looked at her like that, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“I’m serious,” she said. “I wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

He lifted a shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. “Whatever you say. That’s cool.”

Her eyes narrowed. Did he think she was joking? “You’re not my type.”

“And you’re not mine.”

She uncrossed her arms and put her hands on her hips. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means the same thing as what you said,” he replied easily. “You aren’t my type and I’m not yours. So, neither one of us will be showing the other anything.”

Halle narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

“Yes, we are. The exact same page.” He nodded his head as if the words were official.

“Hey, Halle!” Imani’s voice came through the crowd.

Halle glanced over her shoulder at her friend. Imani and Tracey had both arrived and were heading their way. Imani went straight to the end of the bar, where her fiancé, Cyril, had finished helping a patron. She leaned over and kissed him. Tracey stood next to Halle. Her body stiff, her arms crossed over her chest and her lips pressed together.

Brian frowned at Tracey. “Why are you scowling?”

Tracey narrowed her eyes and flipped her long, knotless box braids over her shoulder. She wore a yellow polo shirt with her bed-and-breakfast’s name, Fresh Place Inn, on the breast and dark jeans hugged her curvy hips. “There you go, minding my business again,” she said pursing her lips.

Brian shook his head and held up a hand. “You know what? Never mind. What’s up, Imani?”

Imani smiled at Brian. “Hey, Brian, Coach.”

Quinton nodded before giving Halle a quick glance and turning back to face the bar. Halle had the urge to tap his shoulder and finish their conversation, but for what? His saying she wasn’t his type shouldn’t bother her anyway. He wasn’t her type either. But the words burrowed in her head like a worm. She wasn’t conceited by any means, but she also had enough self-esteem to know there was nothing wrong with her. He’d be lucky to consider her his type.

“I didn’t know you all were coming tonight,” Cyril said, joining Imani back on their end.

“It was a last-minute thing,” Imani replied. “We’re going to the table over in the corner. Will you bring something over?”

“You know I will.” Cyril smiled at her.

Pushing aside the need to say one more thing to Quinton, Halle followed her friends to the table Imani mentioned. After they were settled, Imani eyed Halle.

“What’s going on with you and Coach Q?”

Halle scoffed and shifted in the seat. “Not a damn thing. Why?”

“Because I could have sworn I saw sparks flying between you two,” Imani said.

Tracey nodded; some of the stiffness had left her posture as she eyed Imani curiously. “I mean, she’s not lying.”

“Please. I was just making sure he understood that he’ll never get a chance with me. I only need him to help make Shania a starter.”

“Why would you worry about him thinking he has a chance?” Tracey asked.

She held up a hand, palm out toward her friend. “I’m not worried. I just want him to understand.”

Imani eyed her curiously. “That’s all?”

“What else would it be? You know I’m only interested in Gregory.”

“Before you put all your hopes in Gregory, you can consider other options.”

Halle firmly shook her head. “Not that option. He’s got too many strikes against him. One being he’s Shania’s coach. I’ve seen too much messiness in school when a teacher and a student’s parent get involved. No way.”

Halle glanced at Tracey. She’d pulled out her cell phone and was frowning at the screen.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Tracey put her phone back on the table facedown. “Bernard is acting weird.”

Bernard and Tracey had been married for years. She’d known Bernard in high school. He’d been quiet, smart and the complete opposite of Tracey, who was always loud, brash and ready to defend herself against anyone who dared insult her or her family. When the two got together after Bernard moved home after college, Halle had been surprised but happy for her friend. They’d always seemed happy, if not still the odd couple with Bernard’s quiet reserve and Tracey’s take-life-by-the-horns attitude.

“Weird how?” she asked.

“I think he wants a divorce.” Tracey spoke the words bluntly with no hint of emotion. Yet, her fingers toyed with the end of one of her braids. Halle’s heart rate picked up. When Tracey didn’t show emotion that usually meant she was swimming in them.

“Why would you say that?” Imani asked.

Tracey lifted a shoulder. “He’s been talking a lot about how we got married young. That neither of us really got the chance to go out and explore. And that we’ve wasted years.” Tracey spoke quickly, as if the words weren’t that big of a deal.

Which made Halle’s concern grow. Tracey was good at playing off things that bothered her, but after years of friendship Halle saw through it. She glanced at Imani and the worry in her friend’s eyes meant Imani felt the same.

“He really said all that?” Halle asked, trying, and failing, to picture sweet and solemn Bernard saying he wanted to go out and explore.

Tracey nodded. “He did. That, and today he said I was boring.” Her eyes flashed and she slapped her chest. “Me? Boring?”

Imani shook her head. “You’re the least boring person I’ve ever known. You’re always fun.”

“I’m hot-tempered,” Tracey said. “That doesn’t make me fun.”

Halle wrapped an arm around Tracey’s shoulders and squeezed. “You are fun. Don’t listen to him. Bernard’s probably going through some midlife crisis and speaking dumb. He’ll snap out of it.”

Tracey gave her a half smile before shrugging. “Maybe so. I just needed to get out of the house. He walked out after saying that, and I didn’t want to just sit at home like a boring wife waiting on him to decide to come back. Thanks for hanging with me.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” Halle said. “Don’t worry, if Bernard keeps acting up then we’ll come over there and get him straight.”

Imani nodded. “Yep. Just say the word and we’ve got you.”

Finally a true smile creased Tracey’s lips. “I appreciate that. We’ll see. We’ve gone through stuff before so this time may not be different.” Tracey sighed and pushed her braids back. “I don’t want to spend the entire night talking about Bernard being dumb. Let’s talk about something more fun.”

Halle quirked a brow. “Like what?”

“Like your date with Gregory on Friday, or the happenings at the hospital, anything other than my husband trying to call me boring.”

“I’m good with that,” Halle said. She hated hearing the doubt in her friend’s voice. Tracey put on a brave front, but Halle and Imani both knew how easily she could be hurt. She sent up a quick prayer for Bernard to come back to his senses.

Cyril brought over their drinks and the three women clinked their glasses together in a toast before Imani went into a story about the latest update on the dating life from her friend Andrea in Texas. Halle glanced over to the bar when Quinton got up to leave. Their eyes met and a jolt made her suck in a breath. She was only irritated with him; that was all. She looked away quickly and asked her friends for advice on the best way to impress Gregory on their upcoming date.