Scrimmage Gone South (Crimson Romance)

by Pace, Alicia Hunter

  Oh, well. Not his business.

  Finally, there was an amen. Nathan picked up his fork. Nothing like room temperature salad to get a man excited about his dinner. The only thing that would make it better was room temperature ranch dressing. He reached for it anyway.

  “Iced tea, Coach?” asked a female voice, but it was the wrong voice. Sophomore running back Will Adcock’s mother. What was her name? Kimberly? Carol?

  Daryl was talking to Coach Coal. Something about how Daryl went down to Florida a few times a year and they should go deep sea fishing.

  “Why, thank you, Mrs. Adcock,” Nathan said.

  “Call me Clair,” she said with a smile and moved on. So not Kimberly or Carol. Unless she was lying, which could be the case. Why would she? Who knew? Who had ever been able to figure out why a woman did anything? Or didn’t do something — like try not to mess in other people’s business.

  Townshend was pouring tea in the back of the room. He wondered if she picked that job or if someone assigned it. And who did someone think she was to be assigning anything to Townshend? She was the parental figure of the QB-One and the girlfriend of the head coach. She should get to pick her own job.

  Though she might not be the girlfriend of the head coach.

  He stabbed a tomato.

  Uh oh. There was a blazer arm waving in the air from one of the team tables. And it was attached to, of all people, Kirby. That boy had better not be motioning for service. Nathan half got out of his char, but then he saw Townshend, all smiles, headed toward his team. Kirby had just been saying hello. She lightly patted him on the shoulder and said something. All the boys in hearing distance laughed. Shaun Walters said something to her and she leaned in to give him her full attention. She pointed to the tea pitcher and shook her head no. Then she turned and motioned to the back of the room and Louisa Bennet headed that way with a gallon of milk. Well, good job, Townshend. He would catch her eye and give her a thumbs up. What could that hurt?

  But she wouldn’t look at him. She patted Kirby lightly on the shoulder again and walked away smiling and pouring tea at other tables. Well, she was busy. No wonder she hadn’t noticed him trying to get her attention.

  “So, Nathan,” Daryl said in his ear.

  So it was Nathan now?

  “Yes, Daryl,” he said tiredly.

  “I am going to make you a deal.”

  “Not looking to buy a car, Daryl.”

  “And I’m not trying to sell you one.” Daryl ran his roll through the salad dressing on his plate. “I know we both said some things we didn’t mean the other night.”

  “Yeah? Did we, now?”

  “Sure did. It was an emotional night. We’d both been drinking.”

  “I had not been drinking. I had had one sip of the only drink I had intended to have. Turns out, I didn’t get that.” Because you pitched a fit.

  “Well, well, whatever. What do you say, you unbench my boy for the Homecoming game, and I’ll just forget the whole thing.”

  Nathan almost laughed that laugh that people do when they don’t know how else to react. Incredible.

  Keith hadn’t come to clean the stadium Saturday morning and Nathan had gone looking for him. When he found the boy at the batting range, he was taking his anger out on a bunch of innocent baseballs. The kid had assumed he was kicked off the team and Nathan suspected he was also embarrassed because of his father’s behavior.

  Though he sympathized, Nathan was no nursemaid and he had not gone all have a cup of tea and cookie on him. But he had shown the kid some kindness — at least he hoped he had — and talked some good sense to him. Then he’d just told him to get his butt to the stadium if he wanted to play football, and to expect to run an extra mile every day after practice next week.

  And after careful consideration, he benched him for Homecoming. It was a little harsh, but Keith Grayson needed saving and this was the only way Nathan knew how to do it.

  “No,” Nathan said quietly. “I will not unbench him. Keith gets it, even if you don’t.” Reba Clayton and Kate Chandler came by taking salad plates and passing out rubber chicken.

  “Thank you. Looks delicious,” Nathan lied.

  “Look.” Daryl was in full swing good old boy mode now. “It’s not fair to punish my son for my behavior.”

  “I’m not.” Nathan peppered his food. Couldn’t hurt; might help. “If I was punishing him for your behavior, he would have turned in his uniform. I am punishing him for his behavior, even if you did egg him on. Unfortunately, I cannot kick you out of the booster club. But I will tell you this, Daryl, if you pitch a fit at this dinner and drawn attention to yourself, me, or — most especially — that boy, if you so much as raise your voice, I will do my best to kick your ass. If we are going to have a scene, it’s going to be one that will give me some satisfaction. But I suggest that you think about who should be the most important person in this room to you. And it’s not yourself.”

  He narrowed his little pig eyes. “Nathan Scott, you are going to regret that you said that.”

  “I might. And I might not. Regret is something I deal with on a regular basis. It hasn’t slowed me down yet.”

  “Maybe I’ll just call off those scouts I’ve got coming from Tennessee and Auburn.”

  “Maybe you will. And Kirby and every other boy on that team who has what it takes to get football scholarships will still get them.”

  Without another word, Daryl turned his back and started talking to Coach Coal. Finally, Nathan could enjoy his rubber chicken in peace.

  Ah, there was Townshend, sashaying around with her little pitcher. He would try again. He looked at her imploringly and held up his empty glass.

  She nodded. Then she went over and tapped her tea pouring partner, Sondra Bowman, on the shoulder and pointed to Nathan. After that, she turned her back on him and went to the 1983 alum table.

  “You wanted tea, Coach?” Sondra reached for his glass.

  He sighed. “Yes, ma’am. That’s exactly what I want.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Disney World might be the happiest place on earth for many, but Tolly’s vote went to Heavenly Confections. With its chocolate star ceiling and candy decorated walls, it had always been bright and fun, but since Lanie had married Luke, it was pure magic.

  Unfortunately, there wasn’t any magic for Tolly today. Or much happiness.

  She opened the door and the chimes played a few bars of “The Candy Man.” Lanie was keeping the shop open late for the parade and people were lined up three deep at the coffee bar.

  “Miss Tolly!” Emma Avery barreled toward her. She was wearing a little bobcat costume.

  “Oh, Emma. You are scary.” Tolly dropped to her heels to meet the child’s eyes.

  “Rrrrr.” Emma growled and clawed the air. “Beau is wearing the same as me. And me and him is going to ride on a float with Beau’s mommy. She’s the queen of the float!” She shook her head back and forth. “I won’t fall off.”

  “Well, that’s good news. I wouldn’t want you to fall off.”

  “Hello, Tolly.” Luke Avery stepped up. “Emma. Missy is not really the queen of the float. She is riding on the float for all the former Homecoming queens.”

  Emma bounced up and down. “She is the queen! And then me and Beau is going trick-or-treating.”

  “Not tonight. Tonight, after the parade, we’ll go to the bonfire for a little while and see the cheerleaders do cheers. You will go to sleep two times before it’s time to go trick-or-treating,” Luke said patiently.

  “Beau’s daddy is going to take pictures! You want to ride on the float, Miss Tolly? You can be the queen too.”

  As if Missy would share her realm with anyone.

  “That sounds like fun, Emma. But I’m going to stay here and watch the parade from the front
window with your mommy and Miss Lucy.”

  Emma threw her arms around Luke’s leg. “My daddy’s in the parade. He’s driving with the roof off.”

  Tolly gave him a questioning look.

  “Homecoming queen or something.” Luke shrugged. “They gathered up every convertible in town.”

  “That would be the Homecoming court,” Tolly said. “We won’t know who the queen is until tomorrow night at half time.” Jamie Fisher was among the candidates. Tolly almost hoped she would win. It might distract her.

  “You certainly are clued in to the doings at Merritt High School these days.” Luke laughed and stroked Emma’s curls.

  “Oh, you have no idea. I have learned many, many things. Would you like to know what’s going on with the senior class play tryouts? Or perhaps the scandal of the new cheerleader uniforms for basketball season? The politics are astounding.”

  “Ha! I think I’ll pass. But I would like to drop by your office next week, if that’s okay. I have a few personal legal matters I need to tie up and I’d like you to do it.”

  “I am flattered, Judge Avery. Just call me.”

  “Mommy!” Emma jumped up and down. “Here I am!”

  Lanie’s happy laughter filled the air as she came out of the back wiping her hands on the towel tied to the waist of her candy corn festooned apron. Luke picked up Emma and they all landed in a little group cuddle and kiss.

  They made it look so easy. But then, Luke Avery was a reasonable man with an even temper. If only Nathan could take some Luke lessons. She sighed. But then he wouldn’t be Nathan and that was the hell of it.

  “Heavy sigh?” Lanie smiled at her. Luke and Emma were gone. Tolly hadn’t even noticed them leaving.

  “Just tired,” she said. “But probably not as tired as you. I’m not pregnant and I haven’t been on my feet making candy all day.”

  Lanie laughed. “It’s not as bad as all that, but I am ready to sit. Phillip saved us a place.” Lanie led her to a table by the window that had been set with a three tiered tea tray and carafe of coffee. But there were only two places set.

  “Where is Lucy?” Tolly asked.

  “I hope decaf is okay,” Lanie said as she filled their cups with creamy steaming latte.

  “Sure.”

  “Lucy had to go to Mobile,” Lanie said with a frown. “Something about a silver tea service for Sophie Ann McGowan.”

  “That was sudden. And it’s a long way to go for a teapot,” Tolly said.

  “That’s what I thought. But apparently just any teapot won’t do.”

  “She’s going to miss Homecoming?”

  Lanie nodded. “I guess so. She said she’d be back Sunday.” Lanie gestured to the tea tray. “Help yourself. Besides the sweet stuff, there are cheese straws, smoked salmon tarts, and chicken salad sandwiches.”

  Tolly reached for a tart and a sandwich. “Since when did you start selling savories?”

  “I didn’t. Luke’s mother brought it for us.”

  “Oh, right. I heard the senator was here. I guess all the old grads are piling into town.”

  “Including Brantley. He’ll be here in the morning, Missy says.”

  “Is he bringing Rita May with him?”

  “I doubt it. He’s working in Vermont right now. Restoring a one room schoolhouse. He’s flying from there.”

  “Wow. He must really want to come to Homecoming.”

  Lanie laughed. “Missy really wants him to come, more like. She has become fixated on the fear that she is going to fall tomorrow night when she goes on that field to crown the queen. It seems Brantley escorted her the night she was crowned so she’s making him come back to walk her out there.”

  “Why didn’t she just have Harris do it?”

  “If she does that, it will look like she needs help. If she has a football player of yesteryear, it will just be nostalgic.”

  “Is she making him wear a uniform?”

  “She might try. I expect there is a limit to what Brantley will do, even to shut her up.”

  “Nathan put a stop to players escorting the Homecoming attendants,” Tolly said. “Their fathers are doing it this year. He said his players didn’t have time for halftime foolishness. Let them escort Homecoming queens today, next thing somebody will want them in the band. And he’s not having it. He needs them in the locker room.” Recounting what he’d said lifted her sad heavy heart a little. They’d been snuggled under a blanket on her sofa when he’d told her that.

  Lanie laughed. “Sounds just like him. He is focused.”

  “And may the Lord help anyone who doesn’t share his vision.” Tolly bit her lip. “Lanie, can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Why didn’t things develop between you and Nathan? I mean back when y’all went out for real, before you started pretending to be in a relationship?”

  “Oh, Tolly, I don’t know. We only went on a couple of real dates. And there just wasn’t anything there. I wasn’t looking. He wasn’t looking. We liked each other, but not that way.”

  “Did you find him difficult to deal with?”

  “Nathan? Difficult?” Lanie laughed. “He is about the least difficult man I’ve ever known. Now if you want difficult, let me tell you about Luke!”

  “Hmm.” Tolly took a sip of her coffee.

  Lanie’s smile faded. “Tolly? Do you find Nathan difficult?”

  “Something is difficult. I don’t know if it’s him or me. Or maybe the circumstances.”

  “Do you think it will improve when football season is over?”

  “Football season is never over. Not really, not for a coach. And besides, I don’t think football has anything to do with it. I just don’t — ” She stopped because if she said it out loud that would make it real.

  “What, Tolly?” Lanie said gently and laid a hand on her arm.

  Might as well make it real. “I just don’t think this can work out, Lanie.”

  “Do you want to tell me what happened?”

  She did want to tell her, so much. Maybe Lanie could help her figure it out. But that would mean starting with what happened thirteen years ago and she could never tell that — not even to her best friend.

  “I’m not even sure there’s anything to tell. He’s having a hard time with some things right now.”

  “Daryl Grayson?”

  “Partly. And try as I might, I can’t help him. I just keep doing the wrong thing. Sometimes I think I am his biggest problem.”

  “Time and learning each other can take care of that.”

  “Maybe.” Tolly reached for a piece of toffee and almost put it in her mouth. Then she laid it on her plate. She’d eat it later. Maybe. “I just know this. I am unhappy more than I am happy these days and so is he.”

  “I think that’s fairly typical. I know it was true for Luke and me in the beginning.” She laughed a little under her breath. “And maybe in the middle too. The question is, will it be worth it in the end?” Lanie laid her hand on her baby bump and her already glowing face lit up like a firefly on a summer night. There was no question whether it had been worth it for her.

  “I want to ask you a hypothetical question.”

  “All right.”

  “Do you think it’s possible to let old hurts go without talking them out?”

  “No,” Lanie said quickly and with confidence. “I think unresolved issues lead to mistrust. And trust is the most important element of a relationship. Without it, there can be no love, no chance of any kind of a future. That was the whole key with Luke and me. As much as he loved Carrie, I never question that I am now the love of his life. And he trusts that I will never doubt that love or ask him to deny what he had with Carrie before she died.”

  Trust. That was it. Nathan didn
’t trust her and never would.

  “That said,” Lanie continued, “I don’t see how any of that could apply to you and Nathan. You don’t have enough history for that kind of baggage.”

  If only that was true.

  The first sounds of marching band music rang out.

  “You’re right,” Tolly said. “I’m just worn out. You know, my yard has been rolled every night this week.”

  “Proof that Kirby is popular.”

  “That’s what they tell me. Look!” She pointed and was glad for the distraction. “It’s the first float.”

  Grand Marshall Lamon Coal was waving and smiling. The band was playing. The debate club was throwing candy. Somewhere down the line Kirby would be riding a fire truck with the rest of the team.

  The only thing wrong with this picture was her. If only she had some relationship film to watch, maybe she could analyze it like Nathan analyzed game film. Maybe then she’d know what to do.

  Chapter Seventeen

  No amount of crepe paper and glitter would ever make a gym smell like anything except a basketball game. Nathan swore he could even smell the popcorn.

  “Nice win, Coach,” Patsy Lambert, the geometry teacher, said.

  “Thanks, Patsy,” he said but the fact was this was probably the only football game Pasty had been to all year and she wouldn’t know a nice win from a nasty one and this one had been nasty and hard fought. Still, he was prouder of that 6-3 score than he’d been of some of the ones with much wider margins.

  The Samson High Bulldogs were a big physical team and they’d left their mark. There was hardly a Merritt Bobcat who wasn’t bruised, sprained, or strained. Chandler Callahan had a twisted ankle, but he’d be all right. Thankfully, Kirby hadn’t gotten too banged up to play. Keith Grayson could have possibly gotten the job done, but that wasn’t an option — though Nathan had allowed him to dress out. Sore and cranky they might be, but his boys were winners and they had given as good as they got. Most important, it had been a clean game with good sports on both sides.