Chapter Chance
Chance
Ipet our new German Shepard puppy, scratching behind her ears just as her brother, a cute little Rottweiler, runs into the kitchen and demands some loving too. We adopted them together at the local animal shelter, and if you can believe it, I think Noah is even more attached than I am.
Summer vacation just started, but it’s a cool evening, so I let them out into the fenced-in back yard to hopefully burn off some energy before it’s time for bed. I join Noah on the couch, and he immediately wraps his arms around me.
“What should we watch tonight?”
He shrugs his big shoulder. “You choose.”
I pick up the remote, hoping to find something we’ll both enjoy when I hear the puppies in the backyard, yipping away like they do when someone comes up the drive. We both turn to look out the big front window of the living room. “Another former player?” I ask Noah, and he looks closer.
“I don’t recognize him.”
I watch as the kid climbs out of an old beat-up Honda, and I think my heart may stop. “No.”
“Baby, what’s wrong?” Noah sounds terrified as he looks at me. “You’re pale. What’s the matter?”
“It’s him.”
“Him?” Noah sounds confused as I stand up on shaky legs and try like hell to get my heart under control.
“The kid.”
“The one who got you fired?” Noah stands up too, his face looking fearful but also angry.
“The one who got mixed up in my very unfair firing,” I correct, and the anger starts to dissipate on his face, but he still looks concerned.
“Do you want me to deal with this?” he asks, but he doesn’t move out of the living room.
“No.” I brush a hand over his chest and kiss his cheek. “I can do this. I love you. I’ll be right back.” I try to assure him, but he looks conflicted, still standing. “Noah. It’s okay,” I say firmer, and his lips form a tight line.
He finally moves to the couch and sits down, but his back is stiff and straight. “Okay. I’m right here if you need me.”
I smile because I had no doubt about that. I walk to the door and pull it open, walking out on the restored porch. Oakley and his crew did a hell of a job. It has brand-new, sturdy wood and has been painted. There’s even a brand-new, custom-made porch swing.
But my attention is on Dallas as he makes his way up the stairs, looking skittish and terrified as hell. “Uh . . . Coach Leighton. Hi.”
His voice is quiet, and I feel so damn bad for the kid. “You can’t be here. You know you can’t be here.” I keep an expansive distance between us as he nods his head, not coming any closer.
“I know. I’m sorry. I just . . .” The kid looks so damn broken. I feel terrible. But I finally have everything I could have ever wanted. I have Noah and a great job. A real chance at state this next year. Two dogs and several cats. A house. But mostly, Noah.
I can’t lose it.
“I just want to make sure I didn’t ruin your life.” His eyes are downcast, and he won’t look at me. His voice is unsure and so damn sad.
“You didn’t.” He doesn’t look up. “Dallas.” Finally, he looks up, but his eyes are still uncertain. “You didn’t. I’m happy. Totally happy, and you will be too. You’re gonna be okay.”
He doesn’t look like he believes me at all. “Okay. Well, I just needed to tell you how sorry I am. I didn’t . . .” He looks around and then finally back at me. “I didn’t mean for any of that to happen. You were pretty much my only friend.”
I nod, hating how lonely he was and how lonely he likely is now. But I can’t afford another scandal. It’s selfish, and I hate it, but I can’t lose this life. “I’m so sorry, Dallas. I don’t blame you at all. It wasn’t your fault, and you need to know things will get better.”
He nods, looking a little more sure but still so lost. “Yeah.” He smiles slightly, looking behind me. I turn to see Noah standing near the window, watching us closely. I can’t help but laugh as I shake my head and look back at Dallas. “A Panther?”
I laugh. “The heart wants what the heart wants,” I tease.
His smile is a little brighter now. “Thank you for everything.”
I didn’t do anything, but I also can’t just let him leave like this. “If you need anything, someone to talk to, you can reach out. I don’t want you to think that you’re alone in this world. You aren’t.”
He nods, offering a small smile before he walks to his car. He drives away, and Noah comes out on the porch with me, his hands on my shoulders.
“You okay?”
I smile, turning around so I’m facing him and wrap my arms around his neck. “Yes. I am. I have everything I ever wanted, right here with you.”
He narrows his eyes at me, probably trying to decide whether I really mean it. He must come to the correct conclusion, and he kisses me on the lips before guiding me to the porch swing and wrapping his arm around my shoulder, holding me close.
“LeAnn called.”
“Is she okay? Is it the baby?”
He grins and kisses my nose. “They’re all fine. She’s tired of being pregnant. She just wanted to give us an update that the baby is still not here, and she’s pissed about that.”
I chuckle. His daughter is a spitfire, and there’s no doubt his granddaughter will be the same when she finally makes her grand appearance.
“Sounds like LeAnn.”
He smiles as he kisses my temple, and we both watch the sun set in the sky. A kitten comes up from the barn and climbs onto my lap, purring away.
There’s no way life gets any better than this.