Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SAVANNAH
“This was exactly what I needed,” Becky sighs after taking a long sip of iced tea. “Remind me again, why did I think walking around town in this heat was a good idea?”
Today, Bluebonnet was celebrating its Founder’s Day, and just like every year, the town council decided to make a big deal out of it. Small businesses put out stands along Main Street and the gazebo; there were different games and attractions scattered throughout our little town, and later in the evening, there would even be a mini-concert, and a party organized on the high school football field.
Everybody and their mother were here. If people weren’t working, they were mingling around, and there were a bunch of folks from surrounding towns as well.
I originally planned to use this extra day off to catch up on some housework, but Becky would have none of it.
“Don’t ask me. If it were up to me, I’d be back in my house.”
So far, I’ve only managed to tackle the first floor, and even that was just some basic cleaning and moving in. I had yet to step foot on the second floor or make any drastic changes, like taking down the wallpaper or putting a new coat of paint on. Or deciding which pieces of furniture I’ll keep, and which needed replacing. Just thinking about my never-ending to-do list gave me an anxiety attack.
“Working your ass off, so it’s not like it would be different from any other day. At least this way, you get to relax and have some fun.”
“Maybe just a little bit.”
“I’ll give you a little bit.” She shoves me away playfully. “I’m amazing company.”
“And so humble, too.”
But the truth was, I was enjoying spending time with my friend for a change. Both our lives had been crazy these past few weeks, and they were only bound to become crazier once our kids arrived.
Blinking, I start to turn toward Becky, when I spot two women watching me from a few tables away. My eyes narrow as I try to place them, but they quickly look away.
Becky shifts in her seat, and winces softly, drawing my attention.
“You okay?” I ask, eyeing her carefully.
She slides her hand to the small of her back, and her face twists in a grimace.
“My back just hurts, but honestly, that’s nothing new. I swear if this kid doesn’t come out soon, I’ll scream.”
“It should be any day now, no?”
“Yeah. I’m so ready for it, plus, Miguel’s still in pre-season, so I’m hoping he’ll be able to make it to the birth like we planned. We’ll hear what our doctor tells us tomorrow at our appointment.”
“Didn’t you go just the other day?” I could have sworn she mentioned they went in for a checkup the last time we talked.
“We did, but they’re way more frequent now that the baby is almost here. When’s your next appointment?”
“It’s next week.”
A mix of excitement and fear swells inside my chest, but those feelings were my new normal since I saw that plus sign on the pregnancy test. So many things could go wrong, but I refused to let the fear win over me. The only thing that mattered was that my baby was okay, the rest I could deal with.
I slide my hand to the side of my belly, rubbing at the hard bump.
“I can’t believe that I’m almost halfway there.”
“Enjoy it while you can since this is the best part. Once you enter those final weeks, you’ll be one swollen, painful, cranky, emotional mess.” There is a short pause as she bites the inside of her cheek. “Your appointment. Do you want me to come or is B?—”
“I thought it was you two!”
Becky and I turn in unison to find Jessica standing by our table.
“Hey, Jess!” I look behind her, but there is nobody there. “What are you up to?”
“I’m just meeting with some friends, but I saw you guys and wanted to say hi.”
“Any exciting plans?” Becky asks, sitting upright.
“Nothing as exciting as Sav’s life apparently.” Jessica crosses her hands over her chest. “You’ve been keeping secrets from us.”
An icy chill runs down my spine at her words.
“Wh-what?”
She couldn’t know, could she? Nobody except Becky knew about Blake and me, so?—
She smirks. “You’ve been the talk of the town?—”
My heart starts beating faster, the sound echoing in my eardrums and muffling Jessica’s words. I curl my fingers, but my palms are sweaty.
This couldn’t be happening.
Is that what those looks have been about?
How did they find out? The whole situation was hard on its own; I didn’t want people to meddle in my life…
“What new coach?” Becky’s question snaps me out of my thoughts.
Coach?
Her eyes narrow at me. “You’re not coaching the peewee football, but then who—” Her mouth falls open as the realization sets in. “No way! Walker? He’s the new coach?”
I open my mouth, but no words come out. What is there to say, really?
“Yes, and apparently that’s not it.” Jessica wiggles her brows knowingly. “Some kid threw the ball and almost knocked Savannah over, but he ran across the field and stopped it from hitting her. It was quite a gesture.”
Becky turns to me. “Did he now?”
“Stop it. It wasn’t like that.” I roll my eyes. “He was just showing off.”
The corner of Becky’s mouth tips upward. “Mm-hmm… I wonder why.”
I shoot her a warning glare, that only makes her grin grow wider.
“People seem to like the idea of having a former NFL player coaching peewee football. I know my dad’s excited. He couldn’t stop talking about it during our dinner the other night.” Jessica winces softly, and hurries to add, “Not that you weren’t doing a good job…”
“But I’m not a former NFL player.” I let out a loud snort. Jessica’s dad was the elementary school principal. I was hoping he’d agree with me that having Blake coach peewee football was absurd, but he couldn’t stop gushing over him. “I’m sure that’s the only reason why parents like him so much.”
Even saying parents was stretching it. It was moms who liked it. And not because of his football knowledge. They liked him. The bleachers were packed during the last practice, and I could barely hear myself think from their constant chatting and sighing every time he came close enough so they could ogle him. It was embarrassing. They were grown-ass women, for God’s sake! Not just that, a good majority of them were married.
And I could do nothing but stand on the sidelines and watch it all unfold since, while my principal was ecstatic to have Blake on board, he still wanted me to be there to supervise practice and make him feel welcome. As if he needed me to do that when he had a whole freaking fan club there.
“Jealous, Sav?”
My head snaps up only to find Becky smirking at me. “Jealous?” I glare at her. “Of what exactly?”
“Oh, I don’t know. You tell me.”
“Please. They’re acting like preteen girls who just saw the lead singer of their favorite boy band.”
Jessica bursts into laughter. “I can totally see that being the case. Lucy Donovan was in the shop the other day, and she already had a plan on how to win him over.”
I grind my teeth together, feeling that spike of irritation rising to the surface as the image of the gorgeous woman shamelessly flirting with Blake after practice flashes in my head. She was recently divorced and wasn’t even hiding that she was on the lookout for a new husband, and in her head, Blake was perfect for her.
Only I was pregnant with his baby.
Wonder what she would say if she knew that little tidbit.
An elbow connects to my side. “Not jealous, huh?” Becky wiggles her brows.
“Stop it,” I hiss, but it’s already too late.
“Wait.” Jessica glances between the two of us. “What am I missing?”
“What do you mean?” I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear, trying to seem as inconspicuous as possible, but Jessica isn’t buying it. “You’re not missing anything.”
“I know I’m missing something .”
“You’re imagining it.” I shake my head, scanning the crowd for a way out when I spot a familiar face. Thank God! “Hey, there is Miguel!”
Just then, he turns around to say something over his shoulder, and I see the person who’s standing behind him.
And it’s none other than the man we were talking about only a few seconds ago.
Because that’s just my luck.
Blake shakes his head at whatever Miguel says before looking away.
Right. At. Me.
There is no missing the look of surprise on his face as his eyes land on mine, and I swear I can feel a jolt of awareness shoot down my spine as we stare at one another from a distance.
Shit, shit, shit.
How is this my luck?
It’s like an invisible string connects us, and every time we’d enter within a couple of miles radius from one another, it would tug us together.
My tongue darts out, sliding over my dry lips as my heart starts beating harder, dulling the noises around me while his gaze holds me hostage.
“Sav, you okay?”
“What is he doing here?” I hiss softly, turning my attention to Becky. “Did you know he would be here?”
Becky lifts her arms in defense. “Nope, it was just supposed to be Miguel, Aaron, and Gage. I would have told you if I knew.”
“Shit.” I run my fingers through my hair.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
I couldn’t very well run away now that he saw me, no matter how tempting the idea was. I guess I should have expected it. After all, he’s friends with Miguel. What were the odds of our paths not crossing? Pretty much nonexistent.
“Not missing anything, huh?” Jess asks, drawing my attention. “Seriously, what’s the deal with you and the coach? You’ve been acting all weird.”
“You’re delusional. I’m not acting weird,” I protest quickly.
Too quickly.
“Miss Parker.”
The hair at the back of my neck prickles at attention at the sound of that low baritone. I bite the inside of my cheek, sucking in a sharp breath. Both Becky and Jessica just watch me with matching amused expressions on their faces.
Traitors.
“Delusional, huh?” Jessica smirks. I glare at her, but it doesn’t faze her in the least. Instead, she smiles sweetly and greets Blake. “Coach. It’s nice to see you here. Are you enjoying our small town?”
His brows furrow in confusion, but he nods. “Yes, Levi heard about the fair at school and asked me if we could come.” Those dark gray eyes turn to me, and I can feel the goosebumps rise on my skin as he oh-so-slowly moves his gaze up. “Are you having fun, Miss Parker ?”
“I was until a few moments ago.”
Before you showed up.
He doesn’t miss the silent jab, the corner of his mouth tipping upward. “Well, my day just got better. You look nice today.”
Color rises up my cheeks at his words. They were completely inappropriate, something I’m pretty sure my friends didn’t miss and will bring up the first chance they get. I’m just about to tell him that when a little body connects with his side.
“Dad! Dad!” Levi tugs at his arm. “Gage and I want to go to the haunted house. Can we? Pretty please?”
Blake looks down at his son. “Umm… yeah, buddy, sure thing.”
“Yes!” Levi fist bumps excitedly, and turns around, which is when he spots me. “Hi, Miss Parker! Do you wanna go to the haunted house with us?”
Blake and I in the darkness alone?
“Oh, no, I’m good.”
As a matter of fact, I was ready to leave. Somewhere far, far away from here. From him . Not like that was possible since the man seemed to be everywhere I went.
Blake turns to me, his arms crossing over his chest, making the tattoos on his forearms stand out. My throat goes dry as I watch those muscles flex. How is it possible that he can make a motion so mundane look so sexy? It doesn’t seem fair.
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid, Miss Parker?”
“What?” I look up from Blake’s arm to find him giving me a knowing smirk. My eyes narrow at him as I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Of course not, don’t be ridiculous.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know I said the wrong thing.
“Prove it.” Blake grins at me. “Come with us.”
“Yes, Miss Parker!” Levi chimes in immediately. “You should come with us. It’ll be so much fun. And if you’re afraid, my dad can take care of you.”
Levi’s innocent words make me choke in surprise.
“I-I don’t…” I stutter, trying to come up with something to get out of this mess, only to come up empty.
Becky snorts, or maybe it’s Jessica, but before I can tell them exactly what I think about their reaction, Levi grabs my hand.
“C’mon. The haunted house is this way.”
I look over my shoulder, trying to signal my friends to save me, only to catch Jessica and Becky high-fiving one another.
I’m so going to get back at them for this.
“Gage, let’s go!” Levi yells, letting go of my hand, just as another one slides to the small of my back.
A bigger hand.
Much warmer.
A man’s hand.
Blake’s tall frame falls in step behind me. “C’mon, it’s not going to be that bad. I don’t bite.” He leans down, his mouth brushing against the shell of my ear. “Except if you ask nicely.”
A shudder goes through me as his warm breath tickles my skin. Blake chuckles, his thumb rubbing at the small of my back. I don’t get a chance to answer because the next thing I know, we’re standing in front of the haunted house.
There is no line, so Blake pulls out a wallet and hands the guy a few bills. On autopilot, I start to do the same, but Blake covers my hand with his. “Put that away.”
“What? Absolutely not.” There was no way I was letting him pay for me like this was some kind of date.
Because it wasn’t.
“Blondie.” The way he says my name sounds more like a growl. “I already took care of it, so put it away.”
That hand is once again at the small of my back, giving me a gentle, yet firm, push toward the door, where the two boys have already disappeared to.
I turn over my shoulder to glare at him. “You can’t pay for me, Walker. I can pay my own way. I’ve been doing it for years.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t.” Blake’s fingers slide through the small opening on the back of my dress and rub at my skin. I suck in a sharp breath as a shiver runs down my spine. Then he moves closer, his warm breath tickling the side of my face as he whispers, “Are you generally this stubborn, or is it just me you have a problem with?”
Seriously, what was it with that man and touching?
“I’m not being stubborn; I’m just saying it as it is,” I mutter and hurry up, breaking the contact between Blake and me.
The boys giggle in the darkness, followed by somebody’s scream, and a loud, bone-chilling cackle coming from the hidden speaker spreads through the room. My heart thunders loudly, sweat coating my palms.
It’s just a silly haunted house, Sav. It’s all fake.
Still, my eyes take in the darkness in front of me. They placed strategic lights through the space, shadows dancing and giving the room an eerie look. Very realistic cobwebs stuck to the corners are hung from the ceiling. Skeletons are placed against the walls, bats hanging on thin strings, and there is even an open coffin sitting in the corner of the room.
“Then what is the problem?” Blake continues as we move deeper into the house.
“It’s not appropriate.”
A loud, screeching noise makes me jump in surprise.
Blake bumps into me from behind, his palms landing on my shoulders. “You okay, Blondie?”
“Fine.” I shake my head as I start walking again. Blake extends his hand, removing whatever is hanging from the ceiling so I can pass. “You’re the father of one of my students.”
“I’m also the father of your child,” he mutters, not missing a beat.
Why did he have to be so rational?
“They don’t know that.”
“But they’ll eventually find out. Besides, why do you care what other people think?”
“I know, it’s just…”
How do I explain it to him?
I knew he was right. There was no avoiding it. But I wasn’t ready for the fallout once that information got out.
My family’s been gossiped about so many times over the years. I’ve worked so hard to put my past behind me, only to once again end up the center of attention, and now it was my own damn fault. And I wasn’t the only one to consider. There were Blake’s kids. Our baby. One wrong move and all our lives will be altered irrevocably.
“Blondie?”
“Nothing.” I shake my head, walking past him.
And right into a skeleton.
Only this one is alive.
Bloodshot eyes meet mine as the person lifts his arms as if he’s going to grab me, just as a piercing sound spreads through the room, followed by children’s laughter and rushing footsteps.
“Holy fucking shi—” I turn around and collide with a firm, warm chest. One I recognize immediately, so I burrow my head into the soft cotton and inhale his spicy scent. My heart is beating wildly inside my rib cage, the sound echoing inside my ears as I try to calm down.
“I’ve gotcha,” Blake murmurs, strong arms wrapping around me and pulling me closer. I could still see the grotesque face and the almost maniacal look in the skeleton’s eyes.
“Is it gone?” I whisper softly, my fingers digging into Blake’s shirt.
“He’s gone.” Blake smooths his hand up and down my back in gentle strokes. “You’re safe.”
I did feel safe.
Now that Blake’s arms were around me, I could feel my muscles relax, if only slightly. My heartbeat was calming down, matching the steady rhythm of his heart.
It was crazy. I barely knew the man. And yet, being with him, I felt safer than anywhere else.
“You sure?”
Blake lets out a muffled sound, his chest shaking. “I’m sure, Blondie.”
No, not his chest, his whole body.
I pull back, so I can look at him, only to find him fighting laughter.
He was laughing.
At me.
I slip out of his arms, irritation building inside me. “You’re the worst!”
“What?” Blake asks, his face is all innocent.
But he can try that on somebody else. Maybe they’ll believe him.
“You’re laughing at me!”
He doesn’t even try to deny it.
“You said you’re not afraid of a haunted house.”
“I’m not!” I jab him in the chest. “I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“Mm-hmm…” The corner of his mouth twitches upward. “Or maybe you just wanted to snuggle with me. It’s okay, Blondie, I don’t mind.”
“Snuggle—” My mouth falls open, which only makes him chuckle harder.
The annoying, obnoxious, infuriating man.
That’s what he was.
Pressing my lips together, I shake my head. “You know what? Whatever. Think what you will.”
“Blondie, don?—”
With one final glare at him, I spin around and march for the exit.