Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
W hy do you keep looking around?” My friend Rebecca asks.
I stand with my friend as she gives out samples of her chili. So far, people love the chili, and it looks like she’ll at least place in the competition.
“I'm just watching the crowd, seeing who's here,” I say, trying to be vague as I scan people’s faces.
Rebecca looks at me, her blue eyes narrowing. “Opal Malone, what aren't you telling me? Are you looking for somebody specific? I know you were supposed to come with Beth, but didn't you say she was sick?”
“I did, but she's not really sick. I saw her the other day, and she’s fine. It’s just…”
“Just what?” Rebecca prompts.
“Beth and Shelly are trying to set me up with Beth's brother.”
“They're trying to set you up with Champ? I thought he was a mean old bastard.”
“No.” I sigh. One of the things I like about him is that he doesn’t put on a ‘nice’ face just because that’s what people say you should do. “He's gruff and can be a grump, but he's got a good heart.”
“If you say so,” Rebecca says, looking at me doubtfully, then grins. “Opal, do you have a crush on Champ?”
“Maybe a little bit,” I concede, feeling a blush color my cheeks. “Beth said I should invite him, so I did. I left Beth’s ticket for him in the office, but I don’t think he's coming.” I say, disappointment in my voice.
“Well, he would be lucky to have you, Opal.”
“Thanks. But what about you? How are you feeling about your chances with the chili?”
“I think I have a good shot,” she says, lighting up with excitement. “You’ve seen how people are reacting to Grandad’s chili. My biggest competition is old man Denton. He's won this for so many years. But I don't know, Opal – maybe I have a chance?”
“You do, Rebecca. Your grandfather's recipe is amazing. You’re giving Denton a run for his money.”
“I hope so.” Rebecca looks past my shoulder and breaks out into a huge smile. “Look!”
I turn to see what she’s looking at, and my mouth falls open.
“Opal, hi.” There Champ is, looking incredibly handsome. He’s wearing a clean, pressed shirt and jeans with a sharp crease ironed in. I’ve never seen him look so polished .
“You made it! I'm so happy to see you!” I can't help gushing because I honestly didn't think he would come. I feel like a girl with a high school crush because my heart is beating so fast that I think it may explode.
“Yeah, well, I thought I'd better come down and see what all the hoo-ha is about this chili.”
“This is my friend, Rebecca. She's competing with her grandfather's recipe. You should taste it.”
Champ takes a cup of the chili and tastes it. “This is really good,” he says. “Have you ever competed before?”
Rebecca shakes her head. “No, I'm doing this as a tribute to my grandfather. He passed last year and always talked about entering this competition but never got around to it.”
Champ nods sympathetically. “Well, that's a damn shame. This is damn good chili. You've got my vote.”
“Thanks, Champ,” Rebecca says, her voice filled with emotion. “That means a lot.”
I'm interrupted by a voice. “Hey, Sis. I thought I'd find you here.” I cringe as I hear my older brother's voice.
Champ stiffens, and he turns.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Doyle moves to stand in front of Champ, and I know this is not going to end well.
“This is your brother?” Champ looks at Doyle with barely disguised fury.
My heart sinks. This is so not how I wanted Champ to learn who my brother is.
“How do you know my sister? And what the fuck are you doing talking to her?”
Surprise fills Champ's face as he looks between Doyle and me.
“I'm doing the books at Champ's Gym, Doyle.”
“You're what?” Doyle looks at me like I fell, hit my head, and never recovered.
“My friend, Shelly, set me up with a job. I'm getting work experience credit as I study for my degree.”
“Surely you could have found something else.” Doyle grimaces as he looks at me, then turns his head to glare at Champ.
“You should have told me who your brother was, Opal. I'm disappointed in you.” My heart falls. I was so excited when I saw Champ, but of course Doyle had to show up and ruin everything.
I know I should have told Champ about my brother, but I thought if I could wait a little longer, he could overlook it. Everyone in Raytown knows how much Champ and my brother hate each other. I was surprised that Champ didn't know who I was.
“You need to step away from my sister,” Doyle warns, getting up in Champ's face. I watch Champ as he fists his hands, his body ready to fight. “You know you can't beat me. I've already beaten you once. I don't need to prove myself again,” my brother taunts.
“Don't start that shit with me, Doyle,” Champ warns, his voice rising. “You cheated in that fight and you know it.”
“I did no such thing. You have an ego the size of this state and can't admit that I beat you fair and square.”
“The fuck you did,” Champs says, anger lacing his voice.
“Hey, now, you two,” I yell, getting them both to look at me before this gets out of hand. “Stop it right now. I don't want to see either of you fighting.”
“Well, look who got to be Miss Bossy,” my brother teases me.
I breathe a small sigh of relief when his rigid body language eases a little. At least I've diffused the situation slightly, though I know this is far from over for them and for me.
“I'm not going to stand for this. Opal, I'll see you at the gym. We need to talk.” Champ’s eyes are filled with so much disappointment and fury that it makes my heart hurt.
I nod as Champ turns and stomps away.
“Why'd you have to go and do that, you idiot? Are you happy now?” I yell at my brother.
“You're the idiot if you're working for Champ. I mean, come on, this town isn't that small. You could have found something else.”
“But that's where I wanted to work. And just because you don’t like him doesn’t mean I can’t make up my own mind about him.”I face off with my brother, standing my ground and ready to defend my choices. I think it must be a universal Brother Code that they always think no man is good enough for their sister.
Doyle narrows his eyes at me.”Is there something going on between you two?”
I open and close my mouth, my cheeks burning.
“He better not be touching you.”
“And you better not be telling me how to live my life. You need to give me some space,” I tell my brother.
“But?”
“No buts about it. I'll talk to you later.”
I say goodbye to Rebecca and search for Champ, so I can explain and convince him not to hate me. But everywhere I look, I can't find him. I run into the dusty parking lot, but his truck is gone. “Dammit,” I say, slapping my hand against my leg.
I don't know why those two have to go at each other like wild cats. But after growing up with three older brothers, I understand fragile male egos and how men hate backing down. The need to be right is programmed into their genetic code.
Champ has a huge amount of pride. I've heard about the fight between Doyle and Champ from my brother, and to hear him tell it, he beat Champ fair and square. But my brother is also a braggart, so who knows? What I do know is that there are always two sides to a story, and nothing is ever black and white. I also know it was years ago. Why they’re still in a twist over this is stupid. Win or lose, it's something they should have gotten past by now.
I only hope Champ can forgive me for keeping this from him. I like the job and want to keep working at his gym. If he throws me out of the job, he'll probably never willingly see me again, and that hurts my heart in a whole different way. I can't bear to lose my shot with Champ.