Chapter Six
Jake
I can see her. I’m inside my pickup in the parking lot outside The Bounty diner in downtown central Canyon, early Friday morning, watching her through the windows.
The building is on the crossroads, next to a gas station and opposite a used car showroom, underneath a giant billboard advertising a brand of dog food. It’s ninety degrees out.
The radio is on. The breakfast show hosts are analysing last night’s pre-season opener, won comfortably by the Mutineers. We took no prisoners. Commentators are describing my debut as ‘solid’. I’d say my performance was decent, and that’s what matters overall.
But that’s not what I’m thinking about right now.
Serenity looks different to last night, when she was inside the stadium.
This morning, she’s wearing a pale-colored dress, her hair pulled back into a simple ponytail.
Last night, her hair was loose but styled like she’d come direct from the salon, with a whole lotta makeup and a beaming smile for the crowds.
And her moves… it took everything I had to focus on our plays and not turn and watch her dance, and it took me until the end of the first quarter to manage anything close to concentration.
Sure, all of the cheerleaders looked awesome out there.
But it wasn’t them I was wanting to look at.
Last night, I was nervous about the game.
Yet my heart wasn’t hammering like it is this morning, when the door to The Bounty creaks on its frame as I open it.
Even my palms are sweaty. I’m wearing a cap pulled low, a plain white tee and jersey shorts, a brand-new pair of high-top sneakers.
There’s a bar to my left. I head for a table near the back, near to where she’s serving a bunch of college kids, ordering their eggs over-easy.
‘I’ll be right with you, sir,’ she says to me, without looking up.
Their order taken, she goes over to the counter and comes back with a menu.
I slide off my cap, fold it between my fingers. She slows as she sees me, and we lock eyes. Man, she’s really something.
I greet her with a ‘Mornin’, Serenity.’
She stops at the edge of my table, places the menu under my nose. Her lips twist into a smile. ‘Good morning,’ she says. For a moment, she looks lost for words.
‘So…’ I continue, ‘you didn’t tell me you were a cheerleader.’
She puts one hand on her hip. ‘And you didn’t mention you were a football player.’
‘Guess it never came up, huh?’
She’s still smiling. It’s the sweetest goddamned smile. Then she pushes her tongue into her cheek and rolls her eyes. ‘Guess not. What can I get you?’
I pick up the menu, but I don’t look at it, keeping my gaze trained on her face. ‘A drink.’
‘What kind of drink?’
‘The just-you-and-me type-o-drink. I’m buyin’, remember?’
She twists the end of her ponytail between her fingers, unaware of how endearing it makes her look. Why can I not get enough of this girl?
‘Uh-uh,’ she says with a grin. ‘I signed a contract. There are rules about you and me being in close proximity.’ She glances down at the menu. ‘I’ll be right back to take your order.’
I lean to my left and watch her walk away, back toward the bar.
My eyes glide all the way down her body and linger for a moment on her ass.
I can’t help it. It does things to me. She doesn’t look in my direction, not once, and the fact that she turned me down once already only strengthens my determination to leave here with her phone number.
She delivers a couple of plates to the college kids and comes back to my table, then reaches into her apron and flips to a new page on her notepad.
‘You didn’t think I’d come, did you?’ I ask. ‘Not after yesterday.’
‘I didn’t know that the guy who bought my groceries for me was the Mutineers’ newest draft pick, Jake Walsh, no.’
I like the sound of my name on her lips. ‘You follow football then?’
‘Not at all. I only know your name ’cause I asked for it. And I did wonder if you’d show.’
‘Well, here I am.’
Her eyes meet mine again and I feel it, right between my ribs. I don’t care if she’s a cheerleader, I have to know her better.
She straightens. ‘What can I get you? Coffee?’
‘Uh, I don’t drink coffee.’
‘Fresh juice?’
‘Sure.’
‘You want something to eat?’
‘How about you come and eat something with me? Tomorrow night?’
She’s grinning again. ‘Did you filter out the part about me signing a contract?’
‘I have selective hearing. Comes from being hit in the head too many times, I guess.’
She laughs. It’s like music. ‘Okay, so let me spell it out for you one more time. I signed a contract. Clause five in that contract states that it is forbidden for a Mutineers cheerleader to fraternize with, or date, any NFL pro-player. And this—’ She indicates the space between us with her hand.
‘I believe this already counts as fraternizing. So, I’m gonna go get your juice, and I’ll be your server, but that’s about all I can offer you right now. ’
She backs away, still with that cute little innocent smile on her face.
I should be crushed by the put down, but I’m not giving in because of some stupid rule.
There’s something about her that makes me wanna not back down.
Maybe it’s that she can give me the brush off and still have that beautiful smile on her face. Her heart is pure. I can tell.
A few minutes later, she’s back with the other plates for the college kids.
‘Uh, Miss, I’m ready to order now,’ I say.
‘I’ll be right with you, sir,’ she replies.
One of the college kids has turned his head. He seems to recognize me.
Serenity comes back with her notepad. I swear this girl never stops smiling.
‘What can I get you?’
I’m at physical therapy all morning so may as well get a good breakfast. ‘I’ll take the half classic with two extra eggs, all poached.’
‘You want four poached eggs?’
I tap my stomach. ‘Need the protein.’
‘Anything else?’
I cock my head to one side, trying not to come off all confident, ’cause something tells me she wouldn’t like that. ‘I’d really love your phone number.’
‘I’m sure you would.’
‘You think you might give it to me?’
‘Not today, cowboy.’
‘How about tomorrow? Think I found my new favorite breakfast spot.’
‘Something tells me this place is really out your way.’
‘So, I’ll leave a little early. I like a little sunshine in the morning.’
She knows I’m referring to the sight of her.
‘You did not just say that.’ She raises an eyebrow before her eyes flit to the door. More customers coming in.
‘I caught the end of your half time show,’ I tell her.
‘You did, huh?’
‘Those were some pretty high kicks. I saw you celebrating the touchdown.’
She bites her lip, shakes her head, like she wants to compliment me. ‘Would you like anything else, sir?’ she asks.
I look to her pen hovering over her notepad. ‘You could write it on my hand. That way I won’t lose it.’
‘One half-classic with four poached eggs and one fresh orange juice, coming right up. And that’s all you’ll be getting. Sir.’
Man, she’s not gonna make this easy for me. ‘Call me Jake. Please.’
She picks up the menu. ‘I’m not in the habit of calling my customers by their first name,’ she says before she’s walking away.
I have to wait another ten minutes before she’s back with my food. ‘One fresh juice,’ Serenity says, placing the glass in front of me. ‘One half-classic with four poached eggs. Can I get you anything else?’
‘How about I don’t have to ask again?’
‘Ask what again? I don’t think I caught the question.’
‘It’s really a game-changer for you? That I’m on the team?’
‘Yup,’ is her reply and my shoulders droop just a little.
‘How ’bout I quit the Mutineers?’
She laughs at that. ‘Let’s not be too hasty, now. You don’t even know me.’
‘Then let me get to know you.’
‘You know there are a lotta pretty girls in Canyon who just love football. You tried all them dating apps?’
‘Why would I wanna meet a girl on a dating app when I just met a girl in real life?’
‘I have to go. Eat up, your food is getting cold.’
‘Serenity—’
She turns and looks back. Grants me another sweet smile, and man, I am gone for this chick. But I’m pretty sure that’s all I’m getting out of her today.
‘Last chance to give me your number,’ I say at the cash register on my way out.
She raises her eyes to me. ‘How was your breakfast? Taste good?’
‘Delicious. When’s your next shift?’
‘I’d need to check my schedule.’
‘So… if I came back tomorrow for more eggs… would you be here?’
I hand over my cash payment and she rings me up. I think I see her blush.
‘I should tell you, I’m persistent,’ I state.
‘You have a good day now, sir,’ she says, and her emerald eyes sparkle when she says it.
‘See you on the field?’ I say, pocketing my wallet.
‘See you on the field.’
I back away to the door, her sweet smile like a big hit of adrenaline that’s gonna set me up for the day.
Nope. She is definitely not gonna make this easy for me.
I arrive home after a day’s training to find River hunched over the kitchen table, surrounded by books.
‘Homework already?’ I ask, heading for the sink and switching on the faucet.
She leans back and lets out a groan. ‘I swear, in Philly, I got half this amount. Monday, I got a Spanish test already. And everybody down here is really good at Spanish.’
I wash my hands. ‘It’s called a border with Mexico.’
‘You left early this morning.’
‘Had to get to practice.’
‘It was the morning after your first game! Thought you said practice didn’t start ’til later.’
I switch off the faucet, dry my hands and head for the fridge, which has been well-stocked by my mother. I survey the contents and help myself to some sandwich-making materials.
‘Had to make a pitstop first. How was school today?’
River gives a shrug.
‘You talk to anyone?’
She pulls a face and talks like she’s a redneck. ‘So, like, is your brother really Mutineers running back Jake Walsh?’
‘And did they believe you?’
‘I don’t care if they did or not. It was all they could ask me yesterday too.’
‘So did you meet anybody nice?’
‘The guys are all jocks and all the girls wanna talk about is makeup tutorials. So far, so high school.’
She’s pulling more zombie faces. ‘I should rephrase my question. Were you nice to anyone?’
‘I’m not a complete idiot.’
‘Just try to make friends, okay? Only gotta make it ’til you graduate.’
‘Hey, dipshit, it’s your fault that I’m the one having to change high schools for my senior year in the first place.’
‘I know that. I just think you’d make your life easier if you could be a little more… maybe a little less controversial.’
‘Alright, your royal highness… jeez. By the way, you have mail.’
She reaches across the table and passes me an envelope. The paper feels expensive. I open it up and read the contents.
‘What is it?’ River asks.
‘Wedding invitation. Brody Conway.’
‘Who’s Brody Conway?’
‘Son of Sam Conway? Grandson of Hank Conway? Owner of the Mutineers?’
‘Why are you invited to his wedding?’
‘Whole team is invited. I don’t know. You wanna be my plus one?’
‘You get a plus one?’
‘Weird, right? Guess that’s what rich people do. Invite everybody they ever met to their wedding. Wanna come?’
‘When is it?’
‘Week from tomorrow. Canyon Country Club. Free food and drink. All you have to do is wear a dress.’
River gives another shrug. ‘You sure you wouldn’t wanna take a date instead of me? One of those sexy girls on your Insta account?’
‘Prolly a little weird, taking somebody I’ve never met to a wedding.’
Mid-bite outta my sandwich, I hear the front door, and the unmistakable sounds of Bridget Walsh floating through from the hallway.
‘So far, we are loving it here. Everybody’s so friendly! And Jake’s had a great start on the team…’
My heart sinks because it’s definitely not Dad that she’s talking to.
‘Oh god, who the fuck is that?’ River hisses.
‘No idea,’ I say, still chewing.
‘You got mayonnaise on your chin,’ River says, and I wipe it away with the back of my hand.
‘Oh look,’ Mom announces as she enters the room. ‘They are here! Jake, River, this is Olivia Francis. Olivia just graduated from Cornell, majoring in meteorology.’
This is what my mom likes to do. She likes to introduce women of my age to me and include their credentials, like she’s tryna sell me a house.
Like, this is Lisa. Lisa is a veterinarian and owns her own apartment.
This is Cindy. Cindy went to grad school and her father is an oncology specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Olivia is tall and slender with a straight nose, light brown hair, wearing a green polka-dot dress and sneakers. What she’s doing hanging out with my mother is beyond me.
Olivia smiles shyly in my direction. ‘Hello,’ she says.
‘Hey,’ I say in return.
‘Hi,’ River says at the table.
For a brief moment, the air turns thick and it’s awkward. ‘So… why don’t we go in the back yard and sit by the pool with some iced tea?’ Mom suggests.
They go out back together and River raises her eyebrows in my direction. ‘King Midas, he need queen,’ she says, putting on her best caveman voice.
‘Quit it,’ I sigh.
A few moments later, my mother is back in the kitchen. ‘Jake, come drink iced tea with us.’
‘Ma. I’m tired. I just got back from practice.’
She looks at me like she’s already lost patience. ‘Did you not hear me? Cornell. She’s got an interview with WKRZ.’
‘The local TV station? So?’
She points to her head. ‘So, she’s pretty but she’s got smarts. Very solid potential. I think you’d like her.’
‘How did you even find her?’
Mom opens the fridge. ‘She’s in my tennis class. At the gym. And she told me she’s single. I think you should get to know her a little bit.’
‘Yeah, Jakey,’ River laughs at the table. ‘She’s good wife material. Go outside and talk to your future wifey.’
‘Ma. I’ll find my own girlfriend. Alright? I don’t need your help.’
Mom pulls a jug of chilled iced tea from the fridge.
‘Of course, sweetheart. I’m just trying to guide you in the right direction.
You know, some of those girls on social media or TikTok or whatnot…
well, they’re just… well, they’re not the right sort of girl.
You know? And there is a right sort of a girl, Jake, before you ask.
So, come. Say hi. And if you like her, maybe you could take her to dinner. ’
She’s already heading back outside. I look at River, who is grinning at me.
‘Can’t I at least just settle in first?’ I say, abandoning the remainder of my sandwich.
‘Apparently not. If I were you, I’d find a girlfriend, and fast. Or the weather girl out there is gonna be first in a very long line of candidates for the position of Mrs Jake Walsh.’
I watch the two women in the back yard. And all I can think is that the only woman I’d want for a girlfriend right now is apparently off limits and doesn’t even wanna give me her number.
I’m just gonna have to double my efforts.