Chapter 3
I slipped my phone into my bag and then made a show of looking around. “Your friends are gone?”
He let out a short, dry chuckle. “My friends?” He twisted his face as if he were offended. “Don’t put them on me.”
I smirked. “My apologies. The way they were in your personal space, I thought you knew them. I thought they were your type of people.”
“Nah, I’m selective about who I let in my personal space and who I consider my type of people. And they weren’t it.” He lifted his glass to his lips as he stared at me. “You’re my type of people though.”
Grinning, I turned my attention back to the game.
“You’re my kind of people, too.” I bumped his shoulder with mine. “Now, what did I miss?”
“The only thing you missed was a drive that resulted in nothing, a three and out for the Monarchs, and it’s about to be a three and out for the Wasps,” he told me.
I pointed at the TV. “Watch Channing’s feet and tell me he isn’t losing a step.”
“This was from back in October though.”
“Yeah, but it was the same all season with no improvement. I’m telling you—something is up.”
I felt him staring at me before the game went on commercial break. When I turned to face him, his piercing stare grabbed me. I felt him assessing me, trying to read my thoughts.
He tilted his head to the side. “You know your stuff…”
“I do.”
“Confident. I like that.”
I rolled my eyes before turning back to the game.
A minute or so passed before a time-out was called. The camera zoomed in on two young kids screaming with excitement.
“Do you remember the first professional game you went to?” I asked.
“I do. My dad took me for my tenth birthday.” He hesitated for a moment.
“My dad was born in Baltimore, so I grew up a Monarchs fan. We were in the nosebleeds, the Monarchs lost the game, and I dropped my hot dog, but none of that mattered.” There was a nostalgic smile that pulled at his lips, and his eyes shined. “That was a great day.”
I studied his face, enjoying the underlying emotions that played across it. “It sounds like it.”
He blinked rapidly as if clearing the memory. “I don’t usually vibe with random strangers like this.”
“Me neither.” I smiled. “Feels like we already knew each other. Like we were already friends.”
“Can I get either of you a refill?” Trina asked, startling me.
Either I was too wrapped up in the conversation, or she was tiptoeing.
I broke eye contact with Lamar, and my head whipped toward her. “Um, I’ll take a water please.”
“I’m good for right now,” he answered, before turning his focus back to me.
My heart was thumping in my chest as I shifted my attention to the television. Even though I was following the play on the screen, I could still feel his eyes on me.
“I like watching you watch the game.”
I turned to look at him, my eyebrow quirked. “Why?”
“Your facial expressions.” With a light chuckle, he stroked his beard. “Your eyes. The way you lock in. You really didn’t see this game?”
“I have an expressive face. And no, I didn’t. I know the Monarchs won this matchup, but I was busy and missed this game during the season.”
“Outside of church, what’s more important on a Sunday than football?”
“This was a Monday-night game, and I had parent-teacher conferences and got home extremely late.”
A smirk twisted his lips. “Which are you? Parent or teacher?”
“Teacher.”
“Nice. I wouldn’t have guessed education.”
“Why not? ‘Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.’” I licked my lips. “That’s a quote from—”
“Malcolm X,” he finished for me.
My heart thumped.
An electric charge surged between us, and I felt it on a cellular level.
Whoa.
Swallowing hard, I tore my eyes from his. “It’s, um … it’s something that I say at the beginning and end of every school year to every class.”
“They’re lucky to have you. How do you like it?” he questioned.
“I enjoy it. It feels like it gets harder every year, but I like a challenge. I was ready for this break though.”
“You have the whole summer off. What are you going to do with it?”
“I’m here for a week. And then … maybe the aquarium or a concert or a date with a book. I don’t know…” I swallowed hard, ready to change the subject. “What about you? I know you’re not in Chance for vacation—there’s three things to do here. So I’m assuming you’re from here.”
“I grew up on the border of Chance and Spring Hill. I went to school in Spring Hill. And you’re right, ain’t shit to do here.
I’ve been here for a week, helping my mom with some stuff around her house.
I leave on Sunday for a work trip. I come back on Saturday to finish up at Mom’s house, and then I’m heading back up to Maryland. ”
I almost choked on my water. “I live in Maryland, too!”
He tipped his hat up like he was trying to get a better look at me. “Are you serious?”
“I’m so serious! I live in Richland.”
“I’m right outside of Baltimore.” His eyebrows shot up. “We’re about an hour away from each other. That’s wild.”
“This is why we get along so well!”
He bobbed his head knowingly. “I knew I fucked with you.”
I giggled. “So, what do you do right outside of Baltimore?”
Shifting his eyes back to the TV, he picked up his glass with melted ice and the remaining rum and tossed it back. “I work with professional football players, helping them with their game.”
“I can totally see you doing that. It fits you.”
“I get to do what I love.”
“I love that for you. That’s how it should be. I mean, I love being a teacher. I do. But sometimes…” I made a face. “It’s a lot.”
He nodded in agreement. “I get it. Kids are a lot.”
“Are you a parent?”
“No. Hell no. I’m trying to wait until I’m married before I get into all that. I have a niece and nephew though. What about you? You got kids? A boyfriend? Husband?”
“No kids. And I’m … single.”
He narrowed his eyes and looked at me suspiciously. “You hesitated a little bit before you said single.”
I grinned. “No, I’m single for real.” Because of his expression, I laughed out loud. “I’m serious! After what I’ve been through, I’ve been good off relationships and marriage. I’ve been single for more than two years now.”
A slow smile spread across his lips. “Good to know.”
“Why?” I murmured cautiously.
“Because I like you, and while we’re in the same place, I’d like to see you again.” He gave me a look. “It makes it a lot less complicated if you’re single.”
Nerves and anxiety twisted my gut at his words. “Valid. Are you single?”
“Yes.” He pointed at me. “You see how I didn’t hesitate?”
I laughed.
He opened his mouth to say something, and then he stopped abruptly and pointed at the TV. “Watch this.”
I turned my head just in time to see the Wasps squander an eighty-one-yard drive, taking eight minutes off the clock.
“Woooooooow.” My mouth was agape.
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “Tipped into an interception.”
“All they had to do was keep running. The run game was working. Wow.”
“That’s what happens when you try to do too much.”
Watching the aftermath of the play, I was in disbelief. “Time is so valuable,” I commented.
“You mean in the game?” he guessed.
“In general,” I replied, watching the replay. “Doesn’t matter if it’s football, relationships, life. Time is a valuable asset to have, a valuable gift to give, a valuable resource to mine…” I lost my train of thought when I looked at him. “What?”
“I’m just listening to you,” he replied softly.
He wasn’t just listening to me though.
My stomach fluttered.
“Don’t miss the best part,” he said in a low tone.
I tore my eyes from his and witnessed the Monarchs kick the game-winning sixty-one-yard field goal with one second left on the clock.
“And it’s good!” I cheered, lifting my arms to mimic the refs.
He clapped loudly, and then we both laughed again.
“Tonight was exactly what I needed,” I admitted.
“Was something wrong?” he wondered.
Our friendship was in its infancy, and I didn’t want to lie to him.
But having someone to joke with and be in the moment with was the perfect remedy for how I was feeling.
I saw the sincerety in his expression and the kindness in his eyes and it made me want to tell him.
But if I opened up about Aunt Addy, I was going to start crying.
And I am not about to break down crying in front of this man.
“Just some family stuff,” I answered vaguely.
“Is that why you’re in town? Visiting family?”
I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “Yeah. I come back one week a year, right after school lets out for the summer.”
“I’m surprised we’ve never crossed paths before.”
“When I’m here, I don’t be outside.”
I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes. With a contemplative look, he took me in. “Why’s that?”
“Chance never felt like home to me. Now, in Richland, I’ve found where I belong.” Before I could say too much, I turned the conversation on him. “Spring Hill is just as small as Chance. How was your experience?”
“Spring Hill was cool. It’s home, and my immediate family is there. But I always knew I wanted more than what Spring Hill could offer, so I was ready to leave after high school.”
“I’m glad you made it out and you’re doing what you love.”
“I’m glad you made it out and you found where you belong.”
We exchanged soft smiles.
“Can I get you two anything else?” Trina asked. “We’re still going to be open for another hour, so there’s no rush. Take your time.”
“I’ll take my bill, please,” I answered.
“It’s already been taken care of.” With a pointed look at Lamar, she smiled and walked away.
Surprised, I turned to him. “You didn’t have to do that. But thank you.”
“I wanted to. I like you, and the least I could do is cover your meal.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I’d appreciate seeing you again.”
I bit down on my bottom lip as if I were considering the request. “I think we could make that happen.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He pulled his phone out. “What’s your number?”
I rattled off the digits, and he saved me in his contacts.