Chapter Thirteen
After a Christmas day spent unwrapping presents with her nieces and nephews, sledding, and napping during the afternoon, JT couldn’t wait to see Ali again.
She was ready to get out of the house, and they agreed to meet up in the center of town at nine to make sure they were able to sign up for the competition.
She drove toward the center of town, around the town green, and parked in front of town hall. Ali looked cute, but freezing, leaning against the side of her car. JT hopped out and Ali gave her a hug.
“What was that for?”
Ali shrugged. “Let’s just say Christmas with my family was exhausting. I’m glad to see you.”
JT laughed. “I think I can relate. Is anyone here?”
Ali looked at the building. “Yeah, I saw some folks walk in a few minutes ago.”
“Then why on earth are you freezing your ass off out here?”
Ali tucked her arm through JT’s and tugged her toward the door. “I didn’t want to go in alone. I didn’t want any of them thinking I was pathetic.”
JT stuffed her hands in her pockets. “No one thinks you’re pathetic. And did you really think I would stand you up? Come on.”
“No.” Her voice was low, like she knew she was supposed to say no but didn’t entirely believe it.
JT held the door open for Ali. “I won’t stand you up. I know I can be a bit of a ding-dong, but I won’t leave you hanging. I promise.”
“Thanks,” Ali said, but JT didn’t know if it was for holding the door or for what she’d said.
Inside, it was noticeably warmer. It smelled faintly of warm dust. Ali led the way toward the counter where a woman sat, her head almost invisible.
Ali propped her elbows on the counter and peered down. “Hi, we’re here to sign up for the holiday contest.”
The woman put her glasses on and looked up. “Ali, dear! I wasn’t sure we’d be seeing you this year.” She made a face. “Kyle came in a few days ago. But I’m glad to see you. Who are you entering with?”
“Hi, Ms. Button, I’m entering with JT Cox.”
“The gold medalist?” Ms. Button stood up. “Oh, there you are. We’re so proud of you, dearie. My wife and I were screaming at the TV so loud, I thought the neighbors might come check on us.”
JT couldn’t mask her surprise. “Wow, that’s so kind of you. Thank you.”
Ms. Button sat down. “Now, let me get you to sign the forms. Waivers and such. In case you get injured in any of the events, you promise not to sue us or the businesses putting on each task.”
Ali looked at JT. “Will you get in trouble with your team for doing this?”
JT laughed. “There are no clauses in any contracts preventing me from doing such dangerous activities as decorating gingerbread houses. It’ll be fine.”
They signed the forms and took the packet of information on all the tasks and the rules and the prizes.
Ms. Button stood up. “It’s none of my business, of course, but are you two…?”
Ali smiled at JT. “We’re entering as friends, Ms. Button.”
JT nodded and hoped the twinge she felt didn’t show on her face. “Ali’s brother and I have been best friends forever, so when Ali asked me to do the contest with her, it was easy to say yes.”
Ms. Button looked confused. “You didn’t want to enter with Tommy?”
JT laughed. “No. I wanted a chance to win.”
Ali snorted a laugh and slapped her hand over her mouth and nose. It was too late. All three of them cracked up.
“I love Tommy like a brother, but from what I understand, Ali is a ringer and I want a chance to beat my siblings this year.”
Ms. Button smiled and waved them away. “Good luck, ladies. I’ll be keeping an eye out for your scores.” She shook her head. “My wife is never going to believe I got to meet you. She’ll be so jealous.”
JT blushed. “You tell her I say hi, okay? It means a lot to know you were rooting for me.”
“Do you want a picture?” Ali asked.
JT would never have said anything. She didn’t want to seem arrogant or full of herself.
Ms. Button’s whole face lit up. “I would love that!” She came around the desk to stand next to JT. She handed her phone to Ali, who happily snapped half a dozen pictures.
Ali walked out to the cars with her but stopped when they reached the parking lot. “See, I told you people around here love you.”
JT’s first instinct was to push away Ali’s statement. One lady didn’t mean everyone. One lady didn’t erase years of feeling like a misfit. She resisted the urge to minimize it. “That was nice.”
“You have fans here.”
“I should hope you and Tommy were rooting for me.”
Ali bumped her with her shoulder. “Stop being modest. It’s not every day that someone from here, or even this state, wins a gold medal. Try to soak in the love.”
JT unlocked her car. “I’ll try. Hopefully, they’ll still love me when you and I destroy the competition.”
“Everyone loves a winner, baby!” She laughed. “See you later?”
“Text me when you’re ready for another pair of hands.” The look on Ali’s face told JT she’d broken her with her unintentional innuendo. “I mean. Text me when you need help moving stuff, or whatever.”
Ali looked at the paper Ms. Button had handed them. “We have our first event this afternoon. Why don’t we meet up at my house an hour before that? We can strategize, and if I need another set of hands, that will give us a few minutes to take care of whatever I need.”
If JT had been eating anything, she would have choked. Forget her accidental innuendo, Ali was not messing around. Ali held the door open for JT. “See you later,” she said, her lips looking too delicious when she smiled.
JT climbed into the car, thinking she was in way over her head.