by S. L. Scott
“But I need help,” he replies.
I peek over the edge again. “Just ask her. No gimmicks. No pretenses. No games. Just be you, Billy. She’ll appreciate the sincerity.”
“You’re right.” He appears empowered as he walks with purpose toward the house. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” I call after him. Shelby’s about to be the second luckiest girl in Freeland County. When he’s out of sight, I turn the fan up and turn back to Jason who looks devilishly sexy and smug, lying there waiting for me. “About that punishment—”
“Punish away, baby.”
I do, and then I let him reciprocate, but it’s more making love and lust, punishment of the good kind.
Benson and Brooks were charged with aggravated assault, attempted murder, tax evasion, and fifteen counts of illegal gambling with no bail. I’m not sad in the least.
Us versus them.
As much as I wish we hadn’t experienced the nightmare of that night, it brought me to an understanding. Taking Jason’s hand as we watch them be charged, I have no regrets. I would put my life on the line time and again for the ones I love.
Cole Cutler is asked to stand. His assigned lawyer stands behind the defendant’s table with him. My hands don’t shake. Anger is stronger than the fear he used to instill in me. The judge reads the charges, and then asks if he understands what he’s being charged with. With his head down, he replies, “Yes.”
The judge asks, “What do you plead?”
Cole’s lawyer whispers in his ear while we all anxiously await his answer. Cole nods, looks at me, and then to the judge. “Guilty.”
The gavel strikes, causing me to jump. I whisper to Jason, “Did he really plead guilty?”
“Yes.” This is what we wanted when we walked into the courthouse this morning, but the shock of it happening is staggering. Jason’s chest deflates and he exhales his relief. However, there’s something in his body language that surprises me. Grabbing the bench in front of us, he drops his head. “He was my best friend.” When his eyes land on mine, he asks, “How could a person I once trusted be so intent to destroy our lives?”
That is a question I have given much thought to, but avoided thinking about in the aftermath of kicking him out and our divorce. I think I was still so shell-shocked about what I’d been through and doubtful that he’d ever really be gone from my life. And now I know that fear was well founded.
There’s no obvious reason for his actions. Greed? Hate? Sadness? “Jealousy?”
My marriage to Cole never felt real, not in the ways that count. Marriage is love and beauty, support, and friendship. I was betrayed, tricked into believing I deserved less in life.
Jason nods silently and then moves to leave, taking me with him. His mother catches us in the hall. She hugs me and then him. “Is it over?”
“They were charged,” he says, assessing the courthouse exits. I wonder when he’ll truly be home and not need to know how to escape if necessary. “Not sentenced. They pled not guilty so they’ll go to trial.”
She looks from him to me and back to him. “What about Cole?”
“Cutler will go straight to sentencing. We have to wait.”
Meredith replies with a smile, “Well then, how about dinner tonight?”
We’ve had dinner with her at least once a week, when she’s not busy with her boyfriend, Fred Carver. Jason starts grumbling, but I place an arm on him and reply, “We’d be happy to. Will Fred be there?”
“Yes. I think it’s time for my guys to spend some time together.”
“You’re killing me, Ma.”
“Oh, you’ll live. I have needs too—”
“No.” He rolls on his heel, turning his back to us. “I do not want to hear about your needs when it comes to stuff like this.”
“Maybe we’ll have a double wedding,” she teases. I love that she gives him a hard time. It’s good for him.
I joke, “Our girl is all grown up.”
“Don’t you start in too.” Walking backward toward the doors, he says to her, “We’ll see you tonight.”
“Love you, Jase.”
“Love ya, Ma.”
I catch up to him laughing and smacking his ass as I pass. He’s quick though. And good with his hands. Correction: great with his hands. I’m scooped up in his arms outside the courthouse, kissed, and carried to the truck. When I’m set down, my back rests against the truck, and he cages me in. As always, I’m ready to make out right here on the sidewalk, but it seems he has other plans. “I want to take you somewhere.”
With how he’s looking at me right now, he can take me anywhere.
I didn’t expect to be sitting across from Sabrina Smith inside McKinney National Bank, but here we are. Cole’s name has been removed from all the paperwork. The farm is in Shelby’s and my name. “It’s surreal,” I say to Jason, who’s sitting next to me.
Rubbing my leg, he nods. “It’s how it should be.”
Sabrina, in all her snooty flair, stands abruptly and taps the papers on the desk. “I’ll need to get my manager to handle your paperwork, Jason.”
When she leaves the cubicle, I whisper, “What is she talking about?”
Matching my tone, he replies, “Wait for it.”
The bank manager, Worley Hiccolms, comes in and heartily shakes our hands. “Mr. Koster. Ms. Noelle. Good to see you today.” He glares at Sabrina. “If you’ll excuse us.”
“Sure,” she says, like she’s not totally wanting in on whatever this is.
He smiles like a Cheshire cat and pushes a piece of paper across the desk toward us. “Ms. Noelle has been added. We can update name changes after the nuptials. If you could both sign here, she’ll be granted full access to the safety-deposit box and the two bank accounts.”
I bump my knee against Jason’s. He says, “Life is unpredictable. I thought it was a good idea to get you added sooner rather than later.”
The bank manager says, “It’s good to take precautions. Now, if you’ll sign here and here, you can be on your way, and we’ll take care of the rest.” Jason has me sign first and then he signs on the line beneath mine. Worley stands eagerly. “I want to personally thank you for trusting your financial interests with our fine establishment.”
They shake hands. “Thank you. Don’t get robbed.”
“Eh, we’re insured.”
We all laugh politely through a round of goodbyes until we reach the sidewalk. I ask, “What was that about?”
“I guess he’s just happy to be working with us.”
“Jason?” My hand goes to my hip. “Be open with me. How much money are we talking about? Worley doesn’t treat everybody like that, so I’m assuming a lot. Twenty? Fifty? A hundred thousand?”
We reach the truck. He opens the door and says, “We can go inside and get a statement if you’d like.”
“No.” I climb into the cab. “Just tell me.”
He shuts my door and drags this out, adding to the drama, while he walks around to the driver’s side. When he slips into the truck next to me, he starts the engine.
“Jason, tell me.”
“You sure?”
His arm is on the back of the bench while he reverses. “Well, after paying off the farm and Mom’s house, one point eight million in the accounts.
“What?” I shout. My throat tightens and I start coughing.
Patting me on the back, he looks over, but I see the smile on his face. “Are you okay, baby?”
I clear my throat, my hands on my chest. “One point eight million dollars?”
“No, Oreos. Yes, dollars.”
Leaning back, I can’t even fathom that amount of money. “From jobs?”
“Yes. I was paid well.”
“That much is more than well, Jason.”
He shrugs as he pulls out and starts driving. “I was very good at what I did.”
“I would say so.”
“This is a lot to take in. I get it. Every penny I earned was for this life,
for us. I know that sounds unbelievable. You were married. I shouldn’t have thought of you as more than someone else’s wife. I think deep down my heart knew where it belonged. I knew. This is where I belong. Right here with you. Call it kismet or luck, great timing, or great fortune. Doesn’t matter as long as I have you.”
Our hands reach out and find each other in the middle.
This is love.
Pure.
Soul-enriching, life-affirming, deep-seated, raw, and real love.
Getting a second chance to be with this generous and kind man is more than kismet or great timing.
It’s destiny.
I walk into the barn and climb the ladder to the loft. We can’t live up here forever, and definitely not through winter, but it’s been fun. It’s been the escape from the house we needed after that night we were attacked.
When I reach the top, I spot a gift box in the middle of the mattress. Sitting down next to it, I take it and lift the lid, smiling. I don’t understand it, but maybe the note will explain. I pull the card from the envelope and read:
Dear Delilah,
For old times’ sake, please wear this uniform and meet me at that stadium one more time, for me. I’ll be waiting for you at 8 p.m.
Love you,
Jason
Holding the note to my chest, I swallow down the emotions he’s stirred inside and blink back tears. It’s hard though, when you read the sweetest letter you’ve ever received.
I set the note aside and reach for the uniform. Laughing, I stand up and hold the skirt to my hips. Not sure if this will still fit, but I’m willing to squeeze into it for Jason. With the top and bottom part of the uniform in hand, I rush back down the ladder and into the house.
“Shelby?” I run to the hall and call upstairs, “Shelby? Where are you?”
“Stop yelling, Delilah. I’m in here,” she calls from the other room. It’s been great having my sister home. Working remotely is allowing her to rediscover her love for country life. With the farm paid off, she gets to decide her future and whether she returns or stays. I’m hoping she stays.
I rush into the kitchen, my boots coming to a halt against the linoleum. Holding up the outfit, I ask, “Will you help me get ready?” A smile already sits on her face when she turns around with an iced tea in hand. “Uh, you know, don’t you?”
“Maybe.” She shrugs before setting her glass on the table and taking me by the arm. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for the big game.”
31
Jason
Billy drives his fists down on my shoulders. “All done.”
All suited up in my old football uniform, I say, “It’s been a long damn time since I wore pads.”
“You’re a big dude, you know that?”
Chuckling, I bend down to tie my shoes. “Yeah. I’m aware.” When I stand up, the cleats add some height. “Shorty.”
“At six one, I’m not usually considered short.”
“Eh, don’t worry. We’re not playing football anymore. What time you got?”
“Ten till eight.”
“Okay. I’m gonna head out there.”
We shake hands, but I bring him in for a chest press. He asks, “Are you hugging me, man?”
“Maybe. Just go with it.” He remains and I inwardly laugh. “Thanks for everything you’ve done to take care of Delilah through the years.” We step back and I grab the football helmet. Holding it under my arm, I make sure I have everything else I need. “Thank you for tonight too.” I want everything just right for her.
Giving me a middle-finger salute, he replies, “Aye. Aye, Captain.” Some things never change. The smartass. When we enter the tunnel that leads to the field, he stops. “Good luck out there.”
“Thanks, but I never need luck.” I just need her. We walk in opposite directions. By the time I reach the field, the sun is starting to set. I scan the field and then the bleachers.
Six field exits.
Three on the far side.
Three behind me.
Ten exits up the bleachers.
Five on each side.
I make my way to the fifty-yard line, put my helmet on, and take a knee to wait. This afternoon, the rest of the pieces of my life fell together . . .
The paperwork has been signed. I’m here to pick it up. Delilah and the farm are free from Cutler forever. It didn’t take much to get him to sign. I recommended it might be safer for him in jail than roaming free if he didn’t. I simply rubbed my neck and bam, he signed that afternoon. I don’t need to see him again, but apparently he wants to see me again, so here I am.
Sitting across from Cutler, I don’t say anything. I’m not sure what to say anyway. But he says, “You were a good friend to me, Jason.”
I scrub a hand over my jaw. “I was.”
“I’m sorry.” The fucker knows nothing about love. Never has.
“What you did to me was nothing compared to how you hurt Delilah.”
“I loved her.”
“No, you didn’t. If you did, you wouldn’t have laid a finger on her. If you truly loved her, you would have wanted to see her happy, which she was with me.”
“Guess the best man won.” Idiot.
“It was never a game with her. There weren’t winners or losers until you made it into a competition.”
“I’ll tell her I’m sorry.”
“Don’t.” I stand. “Don’t ever contact her again. This paperwork is all she needs from you.”
I push the button. It buzzes as I wait for the door to open. The guard releases the door and I walk out. With glass dividing us, he yells, “I’m sorry.”
He will be sorry. He will be sorry. Where he goes exists with no hope, no friendships, alone, no future or direction. He will understand a little of what I went through. Then maybe, he’ll be sorry. But right now, the asshole doesn’t have a clue.
. . . The lights flick on, lighting up the stadium and surrounding area. The scoreboard comes on next. The final score from that night years ago lights up the board. I spy Billy looking over the field from the announcer’s booth and give him a thumbs up.
When he returns it, I know he’s seen Delilah. The second she comes through that tunnel, it’s as if the night became brighter.
Shelby was supposed to coach her about the setup. When Delilah sees me, she stops, a wide smile seen clear across this field. As much as I want to greet her, I don’t. It has to be perfect. For her. So I stay. When she heads to the spot she used to cheer for the team, I know the plan is coming together. I continue to wait on my knee, and she keeps peeking my way.
I take a deep breath when she stands on the sidelines with her pom-poms in hand and exhale. I’m nervous. This isn’t about second chances. We already have that. Tonight is about righting wrongs.
Dragging my tongue over my bottom lip, I fix my eyes on her, get up, and start walking. I glance up to see Shelby next to Billy in that booth. She’s clapping, and it’s great to have their support.
When I look back at Delilah, she shifts her weight between her feet. She’s nervous too. For some reason that makes me feel better knowing we’re both invested as deeply in each other. Then I focus on my target—a strawberry blonde with big blue eyes, wearing her heart on her sleeve.
I take the helmet off and carry it by the face guard at my side. Just ten feet separate us when the world comes back in color—vivid and electric. And there in the center of my universe stands the only girl I ever loved. She’s as gorgeous as she always was. That uniform is a fantasy come to life. Damn, she knows how to work her assets to her advantage. My mind goes blank just seeing her. I had prepared a speech, but fuck it. I walk right to her and pick her up by the waist. Her legs wrap around my middle and her laughter echoes around us. She bends down and kisses me.
“You’re all I ever wanted, Delilah Rae Noelle.”
Setting her down, her laughter is replaced with glassy eyes as she struggles to hold back her tears. “Me too. You’re all I’ve ever wanted, Jason.”
I drop down to my knee and take her hand. “Three thousand fans crowded into this stadium every Friday night to watch our team play and hopefully win. We usually did. I was named MVP all four years at school, but it’s not the trophies or accolades I remember. It was great to be held on the shoulders of my teammates in high praise after winning state. But when I look back on my life thus far, my highlights reel plays our love story.
“The first time I ever saw you, you were wearing a purple shirt, a denim miniskirt, little socks that had frills, and blinding-white sneakers. You walked into the school with your sister, and I was dumbstruck.
“You were the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. Prettier than any flower I’d picked for my mom or picture of any model in a magazine.
“You may not have realized that every time our team scored or I won any kind of award, I looked for you. Nothing really mattered like your approval, your support, your love.
“Life may have taken us in different directions. We may have taken a few detours knocking us off course, but it carried me right back to you. This is the redo you wanted. This is our chance to put things back the way they were always supposed to be. Delilah Rae Noelle, marry me. Travel the world with me. Have babies with me. Hold my hand even when you’re mad at me. And I promise I’ll kiss you even after we fight. I’ll take the middle-of-the-night feedings so you can sleep. I’ll protect you. Always. But . . .”
I get choked up. I take a deep breath and exhale. “I’ll love you more with each passing day. I’ll love you until we’re old and gray. I’ll love you in this life and the next. I’ll give you the world and the universe, the stars above, and will make love to your body and heart. Will you marry me?”
Throwing her arms around my neck, she sits on my bended knee. Her head is tucked between my head and shoulder pads, her shoulders shaking with sobs. When she wipes her face, she lifts up and I hear her.
Loud and clear . . . “Yes. A thousand yeses, Jason.”
Jumping up, I bring her with me and turn around with her in my arms. We kiss again and when our lips part this time, Billy and Shelby are cheering over the loud speakers and shout in unison. “Congratulations!”