29. PAIGE
29
PAIGE
“There you go, just like that!” I high-five Gabriel after he does a beautiful roundoff. “You’re learning so fast.”
Austin does a wobbly cartwheel, and I cheer just as loudly for him. “That’s it, buddy! You got it!”
He stands with a proud smile.
Coach Spencer, who runs the gym, ambles over. “Hey, Paige. Been watching you work with the boys. They’re coming along.”
“They definitely have their daddy’s athleticism.” I instruct the kids to take a water break, and they trot off to hydrate.
My old coach retired, which is why I was reluctant to train at All-Star Cheer, but Coach Spencer has been really welcoming. This is our second time visiting the gym this week. Amber was supposed to pick up the boys last weekend, but she told Rhett something came up. The kids seemed bummed, so I thought tumbling might improve their spirits.
Coach Spencer scratches his cheek. “Just wondering what your plans were this fall. I could use some help around here. With all of your experience, you could really elevate our program. I would just need to see you work with a few different age groups first to make sure we’re a good fit.”
I ask about his classes and camps, and I’m excited to hear that he has advanced high school-aged gymnasts I could train.
“I’d be happy to pop in to work with your kids. I’m just not sure I’m available in the late fall.” It pains me to say that. Do I really want to move to Boston? No, but if things don’t work out with Rhett, this is the last place I want to live. I’d be bumping into him all the time, and seeing him would rip out my heart. “When would you need an answer? I have another program that has precedence, but honestly, I love that you’re close by.”
“I’m not surprised you’re in demand. Let’s play it by ear, and please let me know about your availability.”
“You got it.”
We make plans for me to help with one of his advanced camps next week. I’m so excited, I’m practically floating.
I’ve missed this. Being involved with gymnastics and cheer has always made me so happy. It helped me find a place where I belonged when Irma made me feel like a stranger in my own house. It helped me find some peace after my father and Danny died. And it helped me fund college, where I made some of my best friends.
And while I love performing, it’s a thrill to help kids achieve these skills and gain confidence.
After our workout, I get the boys buckled into Rhett’s truck, and I start the engine. “I need to pop into Thread and Thimble for some sewing supplies, but then I was thinking of stopping at Dunkers. Would y’all like a donut?”
I’m met with cheers of agreement, and I smile. I’m finally starting to feel hopeful again about the future. My ankle is doing better, and I’m well on the road to being able to do high-level floor routines soon. Coaching would be the icing on the cake. Especially if it means I can stay in Wild Heart with Rhett.
And I’m absolutely in love with the tops I’m sewing for Abby. I’m making her a really cute vest and a light jacket, both of which she can wear with comfy t-shirts and jeans. She sent me two extra jerseys, and I’m using one to make a baby quilt for Janie.
We pull onto the main drag and head for the fabric store. I park on the street, get the kids out, and they each grab my hand as we head inside. After I get the thread I need to finish Abby’s outfits, we walk to the donut truck, which is around the corner, parked in front of the river. It’s a lovely day, and several locals and tourists are enjoying donuts and coffee as they sit at the park benches.
I text Baylee that we’re here, and to stop by if she has time. Her salon is just down the street, but she gets really slammed sometimes. As we wait in line, Gabriel tugs on my arm.
He gives me a bashful grin. “Today was fun. I really love tumbling.”
Austin nods. “Love it too.”
I hop on my toes. “I’m so glad. We’re just getting started. There’s so much more cool stuff to do.”
Misty Reynolds, the sheriff’s daughter, waves us forward when it’s our turn. “Hey, Paige. Boys, it’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Misty. It’s lovely to see you too.” We chitchat about her family for a few minutes. I get the boys their donuts and order a dozen cookies so I can take them to the guys at home, and I grab myself an iced latte.
Misty nods. “It’ll be a ten-minute wait on those cookies, but they’ll be fresh out of the oven.”
“Sounds great. We’re not in a rush.”
“Wonderful. Hey, are you and the Walker brothers coming to the Moonlight Mixer? My older sister wants to know.”
Beau and Jace are popular with the women in this town. Mav is too, but he’s in Charming for football training camp. “I’m trying to talk them into going.” The Moonlight Mixer is a yearly fundraiser to help local families in need. The highlight of the night is usually when the handsome single men ask the older gals from the nursing home to dance.
“Oh, fantastic. She’ll be so excited.”
After I get the kids seated with their donuts and cartons of milk, I head back to the donut truck to wait for our order, and I send off another text. I’ve been added to the super-selective Walker brothers texting group, so I use this opportunity to razz them.
Me: The ladies of Wild Heart have been inquiring whether the single Walker men will be attending the Moonlight Mixer. What should I tell them? Beau, Jace, will y’all be making an appearance?
Jace: Isn’t that more than a month away?
Me: It’s never too early for the ladies to plan who they want to dance with.
Beau: Will there be food?
Jace: Do I have to wear a tie?
Me: I’m sure there will be food, and you don’t need to wear a tie.
Mav: Am I not invited? I can’t go, but I feel left out.
Me: Of course you’re invited, goof.
Mav: For the record, I still have nightmares about Mrs. Kramer’s false teeth!
Beau: Jesus, I forgot about that. LMFAO.
Me: Do I want to know what happened?
Jace: Mrs. Kramer took out her falsies mid-dance with Mav and dropped them into some random person’s glass of water.
I cover my mouth. I love my brothers-in-law. They’re crazy.
Me: Sorry I missed that! Hey, before I forget, good luck at your game this weekend, Mav. I’ll be cheering for you.
Mav: Thanks, Paige. Games won’t be the same without you on the sidelines.
Graduating is bittersweet. I have an ache in my chest at the thought of not being in attendance at the Broncos’ games this fall.
My phone pings again with another text.
Rhett: Am I required to be in attendance at the Mixer? It’s the weekend before the cattle auction. Gonna be a busy time.
My heart sinks. I’ve been fantasizing about dancing with my husband again. I suppose I can go without him and hang out with Baylee. I decide to be cheeky about it.
Me: Your wife would love to go. Do with that what you will.
Beau: Bro, that means yes.
Jace: Your woman wants to dance.
Rhett: Guess that means I’m going.
I grin at the screen. I can’t wait. Even if we just dance to one or two songs, I’ll be happy.
“What the fuck are you smiling about?” a female voice practically shouts.
When I look up, Amber’s standing a few feet away, fuming. I glance around, confused why she’s yelling. In the last ten minutes, several customers arrived, and there’s a line.
“Yes, I’m talking to you, bitch.” She glares at me.
She’s making a scene that no doubt the whole town will be talking about tomorrow. I whisper, “Lower your voice.”
“I’ll do no such thing. Look at you, prancing around with my children, driving my husband’s truck, and playing little wife in my goddamn house. How does it feel to get sloppy seconds?”
I feel my face go up in flames. Austin starts crying, and I rush over to pick him up. “Come on, boys. Let’s get out of here.”
“You will not drive my boys anywhere. These are my children. You’re just a poor stand-in for me. I’m who Rhett really wants. I’m who he’s always wanted. There’s a saying, have you heard it? ‘There’s no love like your first love.’”
All of a sudden, Baylee is by my side. “What the fuck is your problem, Amber? Did you get a cactus stuck up your ass this morning?”
Amber ignores Baylee. “Tell me, Paige. How does it feel to sleep in my bed and fuck my husband? Does he ever say my name? Because we both know he’s thinking about me and not you.”
My eyes sting, but I refuse to let any tears fall. “It’s not my fault he figured out you were a cheater.”
She gasps like I’ve slandered her good character. “I did no such thing.”
“So you didn’t sleep with Kacey Miller or Cash McAllister while you were with Rhett?”
Her eyes bulge, and Baylee tuts. “Amber, close your legs. I mean, your mouth. You’re attracting flies.”
“You little skank. Shut up.”
My best friend chuckles. “Bless your heart, bitch. You think I care what you call me. Isn’t that cute?” Then she takes the cookies and my latte from Misty, grabs Gabriel’s hand, and nudges me away from the river. Austin clings to my neck and sniffles. Hell, I want to curl up in a ball and cry too.
That psycho follows us to Rhett’s truck. “I’m taking my boys home with me. This is my week.”
I’ve had enough of this woman. I hate confrontations and making a scene, but she’s pushed me to the brink. I whip around. “Then maybe you should’ve shown up last weekend when you were supposed to instead of blowing off your boys. Stop pretending to be the maligned party here. You and I both know you were responsible for what happened in your marriage. It’s not my fault you kept hopping on other men. Rhett is mine now, and I will cherish him with my whole heart for as long as he’ll have me. So you can either get used to that or you can go—” I take a breath, knowing I shouldn’t curse in front of the kids. “You can go fly a kite.”
“You fucking slut!” she screams as she pulls back her arm to hit me.
Sheriff Reynolds steps in front of her, stopping her at the last minute. “Now, listen here, Amber. I hate arresting women, but if you strike Paige or me, I’ll be forced to take you in.” Bless Misty. She probably called her father for me.
Seriously, fuck Amber. I get the boys buckled up in the back, hug Baylee, and hop in the driver’s seat while the sheriff holds off Rhett’s ex. Baylee hands me my coffee and the box of cookies, which I would’ve forgotten without her help.
As we head home, I glance in the rearview mirror. “Boys, I’m so sorry you had to see that.” My voice trembles, and I take a few deep breaths. “I don’t mean your mama any harm, I promise. I swear I’m not trying to take her place. I just want to be your friend.” My voice is thick with emotion. “And I…” I love your father. “I care for your daddy. And I’m so happy to train with you two. But I’ll understand if you don’t want to do that anymore.”
Austin cries quietly, but Gabriel’s face is a mask of tension. He stares out the window. His voice comes out a croaky whisper. “I want to keep training.”
“Me too!” Austin wails.
Finally, my tears overflow. “I’d love that.”
The three of us cry all the way home.