Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Derek
“I asked your sister out on a date for Friday,” I tell Teddy as he sits on my front porch with me.
“Is that so?” he asks with a grin.
“It is.”
“Good.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Why would I be mad?” He chuckles. “I always thought that was the craziest thing. If you’re my friend, and I want what’s best for you and my sister, why wouldn’t I want the two of you together?”
“I don’t know. What if…?”
“You’re not the type of guy who cheats or abuses, and that’s what would end our friendship.”
I nod slowly.
There are a million reasons this is a bad idea, but something about Amber feels right.
“I don’t know how the kids will feel about it.”
“While that is something that you need to consider, the important thing is, how do you feel about it?”
“Good,” I shrug as I glance down at the ground. “There’s something about her that I can’t put my finger on, but I want to learn more.”
“I think the kids will be fine with whatever makes you happy. People will talk, though, Derek, but it doesn’t mean you’re wrong for dating or getting into a relationship with someone.”
“I’m sure the Livesays will have plenty to say,” I grumble.
“They always do, but they’re miserable human beings, and that’s the only reason they will.”
“I have the cameras all set up around the property. I did it all myself one night when everyone was asleep.”
“Do you think you can trust the farmhands?”
“I trust them all, but at this point, I don’t think I can be too careful about anything, you know?”
“Yeah, I do. Money talks, and David isn’t above bribing someone.”
“Clark is looking into things, as is Jorge. They’re both confident that someone left some sort of trail with the fire. The guys gave Clark some instances where things had been messed with that they didn’t tell me about.”
“Like what?”
“Tractors are not starting because spark plugs were removed or wires were cut. The horses were let out. I’m sure there are other things that we haven’t noticed yet, either.”
“Hopefully, the cameras will tell you everything you need to know. Have you looked into buying out the Livesays for the farm?”
“I tried; they refuse. I may talk to Mike again about it, though, because I can swing a bigger payment to them now.”
“Yeah, they’re all about that,” Teddy says with a shake of his head. “Let’s get back to the date with my sister. Where are you taking her?”
“I don’t know yet,” I chuckle. “I have ideas, but I keep playing out the worst-case scenario in everything.”
“Say more.”
“If I take her anywhere in Hicks Creek, then it will be all over town within an hour. If I take her to Culver City or any of the surrounding towns and we run into anyone we know, then it will be all over Hicks Creek within an hour, also. I worry about it getting back to the kids and Sharon’s parents, you know?”
“You’re overthinking this in the worst ways.” He chuckles. “If you’re that worried about it, why don’t you invite her to your house and cook for her?”
“The kids will be here. Besides, that’s lame. Does it seem like I want to sleep with her if I do that? She deserves a five-star restaurant and…”
He puts his hand up in the air to stop me. “It’s not lame. It’s a little more intimate. It will only look like you’re trying to sleep with her if you invite her over to Netflix and chill or whatever single people say these days. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
“You’ve never seen me date before.”
“Shit, were you like this before Sharon?”
“No.” I laugh. “I have been out of the game for so long, and I don’t know what’s acceptable now. I also don’t want to mess this up; your sister is special.”
“With a mindset like that, you’ll be just fine. The kids can stay the night with us, and then you don’t have to worry about that.”
He claps me on the back as he stands up.
“Teddy, you don’t have to do that.”
“Listen, I haven’t seen you interested in much in a long time, especially not a woman. If I can help keep that going, I will. Just be yourself with Amber; she already likes you.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“She didn’t have to. I know my sister, and it’s clear in her demeanor toward you. I should head home,” he says as he stretches again. “I’ll see you at the football game tomorrow.”
He’s in his car before I can say anything else.
If Teddy is okay with everything, that’s a big deal. It’s also nice to hear him say that he can tell she likes me.
* * *
On Thursday, I jog up the bleachers, eyes scanning for a spot where I can see the field. The whole town is here practically for the grade school football team’s home opener. I’ve never seen so many people wearing school colors all at once. A drumline pounds somewhere behind me, almost drowning out the cheers and whistles echoing across the stadium.
I never saw myself as the father of athletes. My childhood was always about the farm.
Eric's been so helpful after Sharon’s death that when he asked if he could play football, I didn’t hesitate to let him. He went to the summer camp and loved it. He was hooked and has been working hard ever since.
He’s already on the field, helmet gleaming under the lights as he gets into position, and I can practically feel his focus radiating from here.
I squeeze into an open spot near the edge of the bleachers, bracing against the metal rail. A couple of rows down, I hear Amber’s melodic giggle. She is standing, talking animatedly with a few teachers, her laughter bubbling above the noise. Her eyes are bright and glowing with excitement, and she’s wearing this school hoodie that’s way too big for her but somehow makes her look even cuter.
She turns, and her gaze catches mine. Her lips curve up in a smile that drives me crazy, the kind that says she’s got my number. My stomach does a little flip. I don’t look away. Instead, I raise my hand in a casual wave. She grins back and mouths, “Come down here.”
I hesitate just a second, then make my way down, excusing myself as I step over people’s legs and bags. She shifts aside when I reach her row to let me squeeze in next to her.
“Hey, stranger,” she says.
“Hey yourself,” I reply, leaning in closer so she can hear me over the crowd. “You here for Eric or just the free entertainment?”
“Maybe a little of both,” she says with a wink. “But I figured I’d bump into you, and that’s the real highlight of my night.”
I chuckle, leaning back and giving her a once-over. “So you came here just for me, huh? Your students will be so hurt.”
She shrugs, doing her best to look casual, but I don’t miss the flush that colors her cheeks. “You wish.”
“I prefer to stand by the railing. Do you want to join me?”
“Sure.” She smiles.
We move out of the bleachers and go down to the fence, where we can get a better view while also being out of the way. I get so nervous when Eric’s playing that sometimes I like to be able to grab onto the railing.
The game starts, and my focus is now on the field. Amber stands next to me, gripping the railing as the action begins. She’s holding her breath and looking just as nervous as me.
The crowd goes wild as Eric catches the ball and sprints down the field. Everyone around us jumps to their feet, screaming and clapping, and Amber and I are pressed together in the chaos. I feel her shoulder against mine, her warmth seeping through the fabric of her hoodie, and I reach down and squeeze her hand. Her eyes lock onto mine again, and there’s something electric in the way she’s looking at me—like she’s daring me to make a move.
Our faces are close, too close. For a second, I wonder what would happen if I lean in and close the distance. But before I can do anything, she pulls back slightly, eyes dancing with that familiar mischief.
“What?” she teases, her voice low. “You gonna stare at me all night, or are you actually watching the game?”
“Oh, I’m watching the game,” I say.
She laughs, shaking her head. “You’re adorable.”
Ouch, was that her blowing me off?
It’s just a saying.
I shake my head to get rid of the insecurities that are trying to come out. Words are one thing, but I can definitely tell by the look in her eyes that she’s not blowing me off, and that feels nice.
The game rages on, and so does the energy between us. We’re close enough that every accidental brush of our arms sends sparks through me, and I can tell it’s getting to her, too. She glances at me, then quickly looks away, biting her lip like she’s trying to hold back a smile.
It’s actually quite comical to watch how excited and into the game she is. I thought I was animated, but she is more so—holding her breath, gripping the railing, and saying, “ You’ve got this, you’ve got this ,” over and over.
Eventually, the game reaches halftime, and the crowd settles down as people grab snacks and hit the bathroom. Amber and I stay put, though, neither of us willing to break the moment.
“Eric looks great. Casey says he’s been putting in a lot of extra work.”
“He has. I told him if he wanted to play a sport, he couldn’t half-ass it. He gets up early and goes to bed late. He takes care of his chores and is doing extra workouts and runs. He made a makeshift tackling dummy. The ranch hands have been helping him with stuff, too. Honestly, he changed his diet over the summer. He swore off all sweets except for one a week or something.”
“That’s impressive for a twelve-year-old. Seems like you’ll have a reason to celebrate tonight. Maybe we’ll celebrate together?”
The suggestion in her voice is subtle, but it’s there. I clear my throat, trying to keep my cool.
“Yeah? What kind of celebration are we talking about?”
Her smile is all coy innocence. “I guess you’ll just have to find out.”
The second half starts. Amber stands beside me, her arms crossed tightly against the chill in the air, but her eyes are glued to the field. It’s a close game, with Hicks Creek only up by a touchdown.
“They’ve got this,” she says, though her voice wavers just enough to betray her nerves.
I chuckle, trying to keep my own nerves in check. “You sound more nervous than me.”
She glances at me, her lips twitching into a grin. “I might be. I get a little invested.”
I laugh, the tension easing for a moment. “Nothing wrong with that.”
The ball snaps, and Eric takes off, cutting through the defense like a knife. Amber lets out a sharp gasp beside me, clutching my arm without even realizing it.
“He’s fast,” she says, her voice breathless.
“Yeah, he is,” I reply, my heart pounding as I watch Eric dodge another tackle.
Amber’s grip tightens. “Come on, come on…”
When Eric crosses the goal line, the crowd erupts, and Amber bounces on her toes, her excitement contagious. “He did it! Oh my gosh, Derek, he did it!”
She throws her arms around me in celebration, and I pull her in without thinking. It feels like the whole world disappears for a second, leaving just the two of us standing there in the chaos.
Our faces are inches apart, and I’m thinking about kissing her.
To hell with the idea that the whole town will gossip. I don’t care what they think anymore.
But then she pulls back with laughter in her eyes.
“Guess we’ll be celebrating after all,” she says, her voice low and teasing.
“Guess we can do that tomorrow.”
The crowd is still roaring, and we both turn back to watch Eric being lifted onto his teammates’ shoulders. I inhale slowly. What an amazing feeling it is to see your kid so happy and getting to be in the moment of his hard work paying off. He earned this, and I couldn’t be prouder.
“Damn, I’m so proud of him. That was incredible.”
“We still got another quarter to play, too,” she says as she goes back to gripping the railing. “What a game!”
I watch the excitement on her face and grin. It feels nice to share this with her, to see how invested and excited she is for Eric. I’m glad she’s been here.
Hicks Creek ends up winning, and Eric immediately sprints over to me. He hugs me over the railing. I’m shocked and thrilled that I’m who he ran to first, even more so that he hugged me in front of everyone. He’s not an emotional kid, really.
“Did you see that, Dad?”
“Yeah, I did! That hard work sure did pay off. You looked incredible out there. I’m so proud.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You’re a superstar,” Amber says as she pats him on the back.
He hugs her quickly, and I’m a little thrown off by the gesture. Eric isn’t normally a kid who hugs. Her eyes flit to mine in surprise before she smiles softly.
“Thanks, Miss Shafer,” he says. “I’m glad you were here to watch. Dad, I’ll meet you in the parking lot after I change out.”
I nod just before he sprints off. I watch him proudly, beaming after him.
“Proud dad looks good on you,” Amber says. “It’s really nice to see how you are with them.”
I don’t really know what to say, so I gesture toward the parking lot.
“Let me walk you to your car.”
“Hey, Derek!” Sheriff Clark calls out as he hurries toward me.
“Hey, Sheriff, you get anything back on those prints?”
“Nah, whoever stole that car was very thorough. I have questioned all of the local hospitals and urgent cares, too, a second time, and no one came in matching that description with a stab wound.”
“Do you think he’s dead?” I ask, cocking my head to the side.
“Nah, I think we would have found a body by now. We’ve been combing the woods to see if there’s a hideout or something. I just think whoever it is has a network of people to take care of him.”
Or my in-laws up the road to take him in and care for him.
“So we’re still at square one?” I ask.
“Pretty much.” He sighs. “I’m not giving up on this, though. We’ll figure it out.”
“Thanks, Sheriff,” I say as he walks off.
Amber reaches over and laces her fingers through mine, squeezing gently as a silent show of support. She lets go and crosses her arms in front of her chest as we walk.
“Sheriff will find him,” she says softly.
I sure hope she’s right.