28. Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Lilly
R ose and I were talking by the fence, waiting for the girls to perform, when Stephanie and Nora joined us. I rolled my eyes toward the heavens.
“How’s it feel to be back home in small town, Tennessee?” Stephanie asked, her voice the same fake over-friendly tone I loathed from high school.
My guard went up immediately. Stephanie and Nora had never talked to me without a purpose that served them. I thought of walking away and giving a bitchy retort, but instead, I decided to be more mature and the adult I was, so I smiled. “It feels good. I didn’t realize how much I missed Orlinda Valley, or Tennessee for that matter, until I got home.”
“Oh?” Nora said. “I’m sure New York City would be so much more exciting than this boring old town.”
“No, it’s not as exciting as you think. For a city filled with people, you’d be surprised at how lonely it can feel sometimes. I enjoy being able to go into any store and people care about how I am and are happy to see me.”
Nora smushed her lips together. “Yeah, I guess that would be okay, but I think I’d like to go somewhere where I could blend in.”
Rose and I exchanged a look. Nora’s husband had been the talk of the town according to Rose. His extracurricular activities kept him on the gossip channel news—which happened to be led by my mother’s bestie—Tonya.
“Is Jamison going to coach full time this year or have time to be in the stands as a spectator?” Stephanie asked, looking directly at me.
Part of me wanted to act like he was mine, and I had all the answers about what he would be doing just to get these two women to stop swooning all over him, but I didn’t. “I’m not sure. According to Lance, he helps during occasional practices and will be helping now and then, but Jamison wants to be available for Darcie as much as possible since she’s starting kindergarten.” Nice conversation. I thought I was doing a good job.
“Oh, that’s so sweet. I’m sure it’s difficult and lonely being a single father. He works so hard and must do the roles of two parents.” Stephanie turned toward the girls on the field, and her expression filled with pity. “It must be so hard for that sweet girl to not have her mother, and Jamison must be so lonely.” Her expression was filled with fake concern.
I seriously had to swallow down language that threatened to exit my mouth like a projectile, and then Jamison strutted toward us.
My eyes bulged as I watched Stephanie and Nora. They both thrust out their breasts and jutted their hips. I shook my head in disgust.
“Hi, Jamison,” Stephanie cooed. “We were just talking about how sweet Darcie is.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s got to be so hard being a single father and raising a daughter, but you’re doing such an amazing job.” Stephanie batted her eyelashes. My mouth fell open. I didn’t know women still did that.
Rose and I rolled our eyes, and Jamison popped one brow. “Umm, thanks?” It came out as a question. He turned to me. “Would you mind taking Darcie with you for ice cream when they’re finished, and I’ll meet you later? The coaches are going to the pub after the game, and it seems to be bad luck if we don’t all go. I promise I won’t be long.”
“Sure, as long as you promise I’ll see you later,” I said.
“Of course. I’m going to give my girl a hug and watch their routine from the bleachers with my mother. Come join us.” He smiled at me, then glanced at the others. “Ladies.” He nodded before he turned away and gave Darcie a hug before he walked off the field.
Stephanie watched him intently. “Damn, he’s got an amazing ass. I’d love to get my hands on it—and other things. He is one hell of a sexy man. A body for days, sweet, and brainy. He’s the whole package.”
I tried to keep the shock and disdain from my face, but I think I failed miserably.
Nora said, “You don’t have feelings for Jamison, do you?”
I cocked my head. “Nora,” I began. I couldn’t explain why I was so irritated with these two, but my pulse raced, and I needed to get it under control. “If I did have feelings for Jamison, I sure as hell wouldn’t tell you about it.”
Nora laughed a shaky, not-quite-real laugh. “Yeah, well, you just got divorced. It’s not like you’re emotionally available now, anyway.”
That was it. My blood reached its boiling point, and my pulse was going to explode through the roof.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Rose yanked on my arm. “Look, I think the girls are going to do their routine. We need to go.” She pulled me so hard away from Stephanie and Nora, I had to do a stutter step to keep from falling. “Rose, what the hell?” I asked as I struggled to get my balance and keep up with her.
Rose whispered through clenched teeth. “You needed to get out of there. I did you a favor.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, feigning innocence.
She shook her head and led me to the stands where our mothers were sitting. Jamison was standing on the side. “Jamison, don’t leave me alone with this one,” She pushed me into him. His arm went around my waist to keep me from knocking him over, “and the velociraptors again.”
“Velociraptors?” Jamison said with a chuckle, his brows raised.
“Yeah, velociraptors. You know, the dinosaurs that are very territorial and work together to surround their prey?”
“Yes, I know what they are. I did see Jurassic Park ,” Jamison answered. “But who are you comparing to velociraptors?”
“Nora and Stephanie. They’ve always gotten under Lilly’s skin, and it seems as if things haven’t changed much since high school.”
I put my hands up in surrender and stepped away from Jamison. “It wasn’t me. They started on me. I said nothing.”
“Yeah, because I pulled you away. I knew you were considering it.”
“It’s not my fault Stephanie is a chronic bitch, and Nora just follows her around like a lost puppy.”
“Lilly, that language is unnecessary,” my mother said from the stands.
“Though I’m sure much warranted,” Tonya added.
“Thank you, Tonya,” I said.
She winked as my mother shoved her shoulder.
“Don’t be too hard on them. They’ve had some hard years,” Rose said.
“Rosie, I love you, but stop being so softhearted. They aren’t the only ones who’ve had hard years.” I pointed at my chest.
“Alright, ladies, let’s rein this in,” Jamison said. He gestured with his head toward the field.
The girls were so cute in their routine. It was short, yet they had all the kicks and cheers you’d expect from cheerleaders, and at the end, some did a back flip, and others, Madeline included, did cartwheels. Hers were perfect and graceful. Not bad for being new.
As soon as they were finished, they rushed off the field and directly toward us.
“Guess what, Mommy?” Madeline had the biggest smile on her face, and her eyes were wide with excitement.
“What, honey?” I said as I crouched in front of her to get a better view of her excited little face.
“Miss Shelby, our teacher, said I was doing so good, and she’s glad I joined up. I think I want to be a cheerleader like you when I get in high school.” Her excitement was contagious, and a smile filled my face. “Can you still do splits and jumps and stuff like you could then?”
I thought about it. I may not be as thin as I was in high school, but I did yoga and kept up with working out as much as possible. “Yep, honey. I can do splits. I’m still pretty flexible.”
“Yay. You’ll have to show me,” she said as she jumped and leaped with the other two.
My mother and Tonya ushered the girls out of the stadium, and Rose followed close behind. Jamison and I brought up the rear.
Jamison leaned close to my ear. “I’ve gotta go meet the coaches, but I’d like to see how flexible you are, too. You’ll have to show me later.”
The wicked grin he gave me made my heart stutter.