Chapter 20 #2
My parents must’ve been stunned speechless because there was only silence as a response.
I took it as an invitation to continue. “Because that’s what you wanted, Mom.
When Gabby and Rowan announced they were together on the Maui trip, you made me suck it up.
And when I said it was too much and I didn’t want to come to the wedding, you made me the Maid of Honor.
Because you don’t care about my feelings. You never have.”
“Oh, honey,” Mom said, crying. “That’s not true.”
I don’t know what had gotten into me. Maybe it was something in the water here.
Maybe it was because I’d already disappointed them when I got caught on the shirtless kissing cam.
But I’d had enough of all the bullcrap. If I wanted to be different, to have a man who respected me, it started with me.
I had to respect myself. And today seemed as good a day as any to begin.
“It is, Mom. And you telling me that it’s not is gaslighting. You can look that term up later on Giggle if you’d like. But those are the facts. That’s what happened. And I’m sorry if it hurts you to hear it but it’s the truth.”
“So,” Dad said with a touch of humor in his voice. That was Dad’s way and I usually loved it. But not tonight. “What you’re saying is that you’re probably not excited to move back here next year?”
“Move back?” I said, shocked. “I’m not moving back. Are you kidding me?”
“But Christy?” Mom sniffled. “This is home.”
I shook my head even though she couldn’t see.
“Not anymore. Not for me.” I didn’t know if I’d stay in this town either.
With the way things were, probably not. But I’d gotten a taste of freedom—not placating everyone, being whoever I wanted to be, not having them criticize my every move—and I wasn’t ready to give that up.
Nothing against Laramie, but my family had a long way to go before I’d ever want to live near them again.
If I ever did. “I’ll come home for short visits but I’m afraid that’s as good as it’s going to get.
You might want to get used to trips to Virginia.
The leaves are stunning right now. I think you’d really like it, Mom.
” The game had already started. “I need to go and you probably need time to process. I do love you guys. I hope you know that.”
Mom was ugly crying. I couldn’t see her, but the hiccuping sobs coming through the phone told all.
“Good luck tonight, darling,” Dad said over her wailing. “And make sure you let us know what happens?”
“I will.”
I hopped out of my truck, lighter. And I smiled.
Whatever happened in that school board meeting tonight, I wasn’t going to give it another second of worry. No. Right now, I was going to watch my girls play.
The lightness only lasted until I reached the doors of the school.
I didn’t know what kind of greeting I was going to get when I walked into the gym.
I’d gotten a few nasty emails from parents when everything happened right after the pep rally.
And one kind of funny one. A mom who said something similar to Ming.
“Holden Dupree is one fine specimen of a man. I feel okay saying that because I’m happily married.
Good for you for going after what you want.
Just, maybe, next time, do it at home. Lol.
” Once I’d stopped crying about the other messages, I’d giggled about that one for weeks.
But I hadn’t heard a peep from any parents or faculty in a long time. Not about the kiss anyway.
As I made my way past the ticket taker, who was also one of our cafeteria ladies, she smiled. “Hey there, Miss Thornbury. It’s nice to see you.”
That was good. At least one person didn’t hate me.
I paused as my fingers curled around the gym door handle. And then I swung it open.
Thankfully, JV was in the middle of an intense volley and I slipped onto the closest bleachers mostly unnoticed. Holden was on his feet, arms crossed, brow hardened, watching the girls diligently. Maybe if I sat really still, and kind of curled in on myself no one would—
“Hey!” Peyton said way too loud, right behind me.
It was almost a shout. “Why’re you sitting over here alone?
” She pointed—yes pointed, arm outstretched for the world to see—up to the top of the bleachers.
Most of the Spartan Race group was here.
Unfortunately, Knox was one of them and he was grinning like it was his lucky night.
It was not.
But the pull to sit with people who were smiling and waving for me to join them was too strong. I may not know them well but it was better than sitting alone. I followed her up the stairs, eyes on my feet so I wouldn’t have to meet anyone else’s gaze. People were starting to notice me now.
A woman whispered, “What is she doing here? I thought they said she couldn’t come in the building.”
Eyes down, feet still moving.
Then a woman called me a name that should never be said on school property and my hackles rose.
Because I knew that voice. My gaze skidded to where it came from.
Amber was sitting next to Jilly, who looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole.
I cut her a glare so she would know that I knew exactly who’d said it.
Then I shook it off and kept going, hushed voices now lighting the room like wildfire.
But then someone squeezed my hand as I walked by. I looked down to see Bo Dupree smiling up at me with his dark hair and blue eyes that looked just like Silas’s.
“Hey, fancy meeting you here, stranger,” he said like he couldn’t hear any of them. Then in front of all the naysayers, one of the most respected men in Seddledowne stood and pulled me into a tight paternal hug. It felt like hugging my dad. My breath caught in my throat, and I blinked back tears.
The room hushed.
I squeezed him back and laughed. “Hey. I’m glad to be here.”
Jenny was next. Her hug longer and more desperate.
Clearly, she still thought I was Holden’s last hope.
“Anna’s going to be so excited you came.
Holden too.” She had to get him in there.
Then she passed me to Lemon. Her’s was quick, but when it was over, she pulled me to the seat next to her.
Then she waved over her shoulder for Peyton to join us.
Big sigh of relief. The murmurs had died down. And a potential Knox situation was averted.
“Coach Christy!” Brooklyn waved from the floor. And the heads that had just looked away were turned again. I gave her an embarrassed wave, but then all the girls started waving and then I started laughing because they were so adorable, and oh my goodness, I’d missed them so much.
My gaze fell to Holden because how could it not? Or maybe it was because he was watching me and I’d felt it. Which I had. His expression was neutral but his eyes were bright like it made his night that I was here. Without thinking I shrugged and smiled at him.
Then that cocky smile that won me over from the beginning spread across his face. And my heart sputtered like we were still a thing. He lifted a hand in an awkward wave. Which made me giggle because Holden had probably never been awkward a day in his life. Except right then.
Lemon chortled next to me.
But then the moment was over because the ref blew the whistle. Which was good because I’d just told Holden we were through. And if I wanted to hold my ground, I couldn’t be having heart-pounding, stomach-swooping moments like that.
JV won in a landslide and as soon as they were off the court, they stampeded the bleachers. Anna tackled me in a hug. And then Brooklyn. And Shanaya. And then Lemon and Peyton scooted out of the way because the rest showed up. And pretty soon it was one big pile of squealing estrogen.
“Oh my gosh.” I had to touch each one of them on their cheeks or shoulders. “You guys played so well. I’m so proud of you. What a way to end the season. And thank you for all the texts inviting me to come.”
Brooklyn made duck lips. “Like we had a choice. Coach D said he’d bench anyone who didn’t. He’s been a grump-head since you left.”
My throat grew thick. Holden had orchestrated all the invites?
Anna groaned. “Seriously?”
“You weren’t supposed to tell her that,” Shanaya glowered. “OMG, Brooklyn.”
“Wait.” My gaze ping-ponged between them. “He told you to invite me?” Heads bobbed all around me.
Anna shrugged like now that it was out, all bets were off. “He knew today might be hard with the school board meeting.”
“But he didn’t have to threaten us,” Brooklyn said. “We would’ve done it anyway. Obvs.”
Then, her shoulders dropped and they all looked so forlorn.
“Guys?” I reached out to pat Mari, our cute JV libero, on the shoulder. She looked like she’d been crying. “What’s going on? Are you just sad that the season’s over?” JV didn’t go to the playoffs. Only varsity if they won their game.
Anna’s smile was melancholy. “Everybody’s just sad because Uncle Holden isn’t coaching next year.”
My head tilted. “C’mon guys. You knew that was temporary. He’s gotta go back to DC and get a real job.” I smiled so they’d see I was okay with it. Even though I was so totally not.
Anna frowned. “He’s not going back to DC. He’s staying here.”
I cocked my head. “I think you’re confused.”
She raised her brows like it was laughable that she, his niece, wouldn’t know something like that. “Uh, no. He’s definitely staying.” Her expression was giddy. “He’s running for District Attorney of Seddledowne.”
My heart jolted and I sat up straight. “What?” He’d never said a word about anything like that to me. I didn’t even know that was on his radar. “When did that happen?”
Anna’s eyes rolled up to the ceiling and she ticked off her fingers.
“Saturday, he drove to DC to put his house on the market. Sunday, he told the family. Yesterday, he told that Jedd guy who’s been bugging him for months.
And let me tell you, Jedd was supes happy because now he can retire and he and his wife can spend their winters at Disney World.
And then this morning Uncle Holden went to the courthouse and filed some documents for it.
The election isn’t until next year but Jedd’s ready.
So in the next couple of weeks, he’s going to officially retire so Holden can take over as interim D.A.
” She was out of fingers and out of breath.
She inhaled and plowed on. “He’s going to live in me and Mom’s old house while he builds a new one on the ranch for you two.
It’s all part of his big plan to win you back. ”
I swallowed. “Plan to win me back?”
“I wasn’t supposed to say that.” Her eyes skittered around the group. “Please don’t tell him. He will kill me.”
Oh my heart.
Had Holden seen my goodbye as a challenge? I didn’t know but I did know that apparently the way to get a guy’s attention is to walk away. Who would’ve known?
Actually, probably a lot of women. Just not Christy Thornbury.
Brooklyn sksksksk’d Anna and the other girls hooted. Anna’s face was bright red, her eyes still pleading.
“Anna, of course.” I crossed a finger over my heart. “Your secret is safe with me.”
A minute later they scurried off to change and go sit with their friends and families.
Holden was staying in Seddledowne to run for D.A.? And he was going to build us a house on the ranch?
Lemon slid over and squeezed my hand. “Pretty cool about Holden staying in Seddledowne, huh? Oh, and since we’re all telling secrets, Holden was the one who told me how to fix your momentum for the rings.
” I looked over at her, slightly shocked.
She nodded. Then she leaned closer. “And don’t worry about the meeting. Silas has you covered.”
Oh my goodness, the meeting. For a few minutes, I’d completely forgotten about it.
I returned the squeeze.
But the joke was on her.
Because Silas didn’t have me covered. I’d covered him.
He just didn’t know it yet.