***
“Do you agree to the terms?” The judge repeated his question.
My mouth was still hanging open. “I thought community service meant picking up trash.”
“In this situation, you have a special skill that can help your community.” The judge leaned back in his leather chair and laced his hands together behind his head. He looked all too relaxed, but then again, he wasn’t the one whose future was on the line.
“So you’re serious? You want me to coach the football team?”
“Yes.”
“And why is that again?”
I expected we’d be having this conversation in a courtroom, but we were all sitting around the judge’s desk in his chambers. The deal I’d been offered had seemed straightforward until the last part. No jail, nothing on my permanent record, the mandatory one year license revocation and community service. Evidently, community service meant coaching the high school football team. Were they insane?
“Don’t play with us, Jake. You’re one of the best players this town’s had. You’ll get the team excited again. Maybe we’ll have a chance. It’s the best team we’ve had since you graduated. Coach Wilkinson didn’t give any warning with his retirement, but who can blame him with that cancer diagnosis. We don’t have time to go through the usual channels to find a replacement. The team just needs the right coach, and those boys could use a role model.”
That had to be a joke. “Role model? I’m here because of a DUI.”
“You got us to win state for the first time in over twenty-five years. You’re a role model.”
I fidgeted in my seat. “I think you’re forgetting one very important detail.”
“Yes?” The judge looked bored.
“I don’t know how to coach.”
“You’ll figure it out. Besides, Anderson and Mitchell are staying around as assistant coaches. They’ll help out.”
“Why not promote one of them? Why me? Do you think my former coaches want to listen to me?” I loosened my tie. It must have been one hundred degrees in there.
“Do I really need to explain this again?” The judge sat forward. “If you don’t want this deal, I’m sure we could come up with a different solution.” From the look he shot me, that one would be a hell of a lot worse. His next words confirmed it. “One that doesn’t involve keeping this off your record.”
“I accept the terms.”
“Smart choice. You should have your limited license in two weeks.”
“What does that mean exactly?” The idea of any sort of license sounded good.
“You can drive to work and community service only.”
“Okay, I get it.”
Dad nodded. At least I’d done something right.
I signed some papers, and Dad and I left.
“You got lucky.” He opened his car door.
“Lucky? How am I going to coach?” I got in and looked at him.
“You’ll figure it out. But you’re going to have to start getting up early. Just because you’re coaching doesn’t mean I’m okay with you cutting back your hours at work.”
“What? Are you serious?” I leaned my head back against the seat.
“Yes. I don’t pay you for nothing.” He started the engine.
“Fine. But how am I getting anywhere without a car? The judge said I won’t get a limited license for two weeks.”
“You can walk to the high school.” He pulled out onto the road, driving so slow I thought we’d never get to my house.
“It’s over three and a half miles.”
“Like I said, you can walk to the high school.”
“And work? I guess I’m walking there too?”
“That’s a much shorter walk.” He gripped the wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. I must have been stressing him out more than I thought.
“Fine.”
“And on the bright side, Molly already offered to drive you home from practice if you need it.”
“Molly? Why would she do that?”
“Because she’s family, and a family helps each other.”
“At least it’s only two weeks.”
“Don’t get any ideas that the limited license is for anything but what the judge said it was. If they catch you driving any other time, you’ll be in hot water.”
I reached to turn on the radio but then thought better of it. “What am I going to do about a car?”
“You can use my old truck. I don’t think you’ll get much from insurance, so you might want to save up if you want something better next year when you get your full license back.”
“Great.”
“Maybe living without a license will teach you a lesson.”
“Like being forced to coach football won’t? Did you know they were setting me up for that?”
“I had my suspicions.” He tried to hide a smile.
“Why?”
“With Coach Wilkinson getting sick, they needed someone. You’d be free labor.”
“Terrific.”
Dad stopped the car short. “That’s enough!”
“Enough of what?”
“Enough of that attitude. You should be grateful to be alive. To have a family that supports you. Did you even have to worry about hiring an attorney? What about paying for one? How about figuring out how to explain the situation to your boss?”
I looked down.
“Exactly. Now get out.”
“We’re not there yet.”
“I don’t care. You need some fresh air to clear that head of yours.”
“Gee, thanks.” I got out, this time slamming the door. He was right, and I knew it. That just made it worse.
I was ready to pass out by the time I got home. You’d think recovering from a collapsed lung would get you a break, but not in my dad’s book. I sunk down on the couch and turned on the TV. I went right to ESPN, but it was just some interview special featuring has-been players. I shut it off.
I needed a distraction. What I wanted was a drink—but I couldn’t. Even if I wasn’t on meds, my mom had cleared out my entire supply while I was in the hospital. There was also the whole conversation with Dad. Didn’t being an alcoholic mean never drinking at all? That just seemed dumb. I could control my drinking if I wanted to. There were plenty of times when I just had a beer or two. It didn’t matter though. Without a car, it wasn’t an option.
The only thing that sounded better than a drink was that nurse. If she looked that hot in scrubs and a cardigan—I was ready to see her in something else. I’d rummaged through my wallet and found her number as soon as I’d gotten home. I’d already programmed her into my phone. I couldn’t recall her ever giving me her last name, or if she did I forgot it, so she was just under Emily. I liked the name. I’d only known one Emily and she’d been an all right girl.
I was never nervous about calling girls, but this time was different. She’d seen me at my absolute worst. The only upside is that even at my worst, she gave me her number. I could only improve from there.
I decided to stop stalling. My excuse for waiting was making sure I wasn’t doing time. Now that it was off the table, I could finally call. I figured she probably knew about the DUI, but I wasn’t excited about telling her she’d have to pick me up if we went out. Whether a girl was traditional or not, she expected the guy to drive. I hit call and listened to a few rings.
“Hello?” She answered hesitantly, like she was nervous.
“Emily?”
“Yes. Who is this?”
I leaned back against the couch. “It’s your favorite patient.”
“That’s impossible. I don’t have favorites.” Her words were playful.
“Does that mean you give out your number a lot?”
“No—not too often.” She laughed. “How’re you doing, Jake?”
A thrill ran through me when she said my name. I assumed she remembered me, but it was nice to hear it. “I’m doing all right.”
“Feeling better?”
�
�Much. I get tired a lot though.”
“That’s pretty normal.” Her voice was soft, just like I imagined her skin feeling.
“How’re you doing?”
“All right. I’ve just been working.”
“Any chance you want to do something else? Maybe get dinner sometime?” I was ready to break my cardinal rule. You always do coffee on the first date in case it’s a disaster. But this wouldn’t be a disaster, and coffee wouldn’t be long enough.
“I’m working most of this week. This is my only night off.”
“Then how about tonight?” I knew it was a long shot, but she’d just admitted she didn’t have much going on.
“Won’t I seem desperate if I say yes?”
“I already sound desperate. Why not join the club?”
“Do you want me to come to you? If you can’t drive or anything…”
She was fishing for information.
“Unfortunately, you’re right. I can try to get a ride.” I cringed at the thought of asking. Maybe I shouldn’t have bothered calling her.
“That’s okay. I’ve heard a lot about Clayton Falls.”
“Yeah? So you want to meet here?”
“Sure. But how about we make it early, so I get home at a decent time?”
I wouldn’t have argued about anything. “It’s only eleven…want to make it lunch?”
“Oh. That would be great.” She sounded relieved.
“Okay, cool. Is noon too soon?”
“No. Not at all. Do you want me to pick you up?” There were muffled sounds like she was moving around. Maybe she was getting ready.
“If you don’t mind…” Man, it felt weird for a girl to be asking that.
“It’s fine. I just need your address.”
I gave it to her. “Call if you get lost or anything, but it’s really just a straight shot.”
“It’ll be fine. See you soon.”
“Great. See ya.”
Chapter Seven
Emily
“You’ll never guess where I’m going right now.” I had Mel on speakerphone as I drove.
“Where?”
“You’re not even going to try?”
“You told me I wouldn’t guess, so why bother?”
You had to love Mel’s attitude. “Clayton Falls.”
“Are you seeing Jake?”
“It’s good we never actually made a bet. He called me.” I’d been smiling so much since he called that my face was starting to hurt.
“When? You’ve been holding out on me.”
“Forty-five minutes ago. And don’t start. This is my only day off this week.” I checked my blind spot before changing lanes. You knew someone was driving slow when I had to pass them.
“I wasn’t going to say anything. Any date is a good thing for you. But he’s making you go to him?”
“He lost his license. He got a DUI, remember?”
“Yeah, that makes sense.” I heard a ding. She must have been in the elevator.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m just grabbing lunch. I was going to bring you over a sandwich, but obviously you don’t need one.”
“This isn’t crazy, is it?” I gripped the wheel tighter.
“Maybe a little, but who cares?”
“It’s not like it’s ever going to become anything. It’s just one lunch.”
“Tell yourself whatever it takes.” She made that clicking sound with her tongue she always makes when she doesn’t believe someone.
“Come on, he’ll be gone the second he hears about Noah.”
“You don’t know that.” A horn wailed.
“Messing with traffic again?”
“Don’t change the subject. You can’t spend your whole life on the sidelines because of Noah—he doesn’t want you to.”
“He doesn’t know what he wants.”
“Still, you can’t.”
“I don’t need this speech again. I’m on my way to a date, remember?” I saw the first sign for the exit to Clayton Falls.
“You’re nervous, huh?”
“Very. It’s been forever since I’ve been on one.”
“You’ll do fine. But what are you wearing? Please tell me you dressed cute.”
“That yellow sundress and strappy sandals.”
“Perfect. It shows a little cleavage but not too much, and yellow looks awesome on you.”
“It doesn’t show cleavage.” I looked down self-consciously.
“You’re checking out your girls, aren’t you?”
I laughed. “Are you sure you don’t have a camera in my car?”
“No, not yet. Tell Jake I said hi, and call on your way back.”
“I will. Have a good lunch.”
“I’d prefer the lunch you’re having, but what can you do?”
I moved into the right lane so I could exit. “I don’t even know where we’re eating.”
“Em, I meant Jake. I’d prefer lunch with Jake.”
“Oh. You don’t actually like him, do you?”
She laughed. “He’s all yours, Em. Enjoy.”
“I can do this.”
“Yes, you can. Go get him, girl.”
“So funny. All right, I’m about to turn off.”
“Woo hoo, you’re almost to the Falls.”
“Do people call it that?”
“No. It just sounded cool.”
“Bye, Mel.”
I double checked the house number twice before pulling into the driveway. I took a deep breath. This wasn’t a big deal. It was just lunch. I suddenly understood how guys felt on dates… it was even worse when you were picking your date up. I smoothed out my dress one last time before knocking on the white door.
Jake pulled the door open as soon as I knocked. “Wow, you look amazing.” He checked me out appreciatively, and I liked it. Everyone needs a confidence booster in moments like those.
“Thanks.” He looked pretty amazing himself in a light green, collared shirt and khaki shorts.
“Aren’t you supposed to tell me I look good too?”
I felt the blood rushing to my face. “Yeah, you look good too.”
“I’m kidding.”
“Oh, okay.”
“So I know I told you to pick me up, but if you like seafood we can actually walk to the place I was thinking of.”
“That sounds nice.” It was a gorgeous day, and I didn’t mind walking. Maybe the fresh air would calm my nerves.
“Great.” He locked the door. “It’s right off the beach.”
I followed him down his driveway and walked alongside him when we reached the street. “I’m really glad you came. I know it’s a little bit of a drive.”
“It wasn’t too bad. I don’t mind driving.” I regretted the words. He was probably still extremely upset about losing his license. “Sorry.”
“That’s okay. It’s my fault I can’t.” He looked away.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how long did you lose your license for?”
“One year.”
“Wow, that’s awhile.”
“It could have been worse. I can get a limited license for work.”
“Oh, that’s something.” There were so many things I wanted to ask him, like why he’d done something so stupid and risky, but I kept the questions to myself.
He pulled me out of my thoughts. “I know I probably seem like a total loser, getting wasted and driving…”
I shook my head. “If I thought that, I wouldn’t be here. Don’t get me wrong, it was a really stupid thing to do, but I don’t believe in judging someone based on one action.”
He looked at me intently. “That’s a cool attitude.”
“There’s good in everyone…well almost everyone.”
“Well, thanks for giving me a chance. I think I took it for granted. I guess pain meds can do that to you.”
I laughed. “I can’t believe it myself. This is my first date in a while.”
“Yeah? That’s surprising.
”
“Why?” I picked at my nail nervously. It was a bad habit, but I couldn’t help it.
“Are you kidding? You’re beautiful and smart. I bet you have guys breaking down your door.”
“You’d be surprised.”
He studied me. “How long’s it been?”
“Since I’ve been on an actual date?”
“Yeah.”
“About a year.” That was being conservative, and counting a coffee I had with a coworker.
“Wow. I did get lucky.”
I smiled. “What can I say? I’m a push over for guys in hospital gowns.”
“Uh oh. I better tie you down quickly before you run off with one of the old men.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it.” I looked away.
He took my hand. “You’re really beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
“No. I really mean it. I’ve never seen a girl as beautiful as you. When I woke up and saw you sitting there, I thought I was dreaming.”
I made myself meet his gaze even though his compliment made me want to look away. “I’m guessing it was a letdown to discover you were awake and in a hospital.”
“Well, the last part sure, but I was glad you were real.”
“You really know how to lay it on thick.” I thought about yanking my hand away, but it felt good where it was.
He squeezed my hand just a little. “It’s just honesty.”
“Wow, gorgeous.” We were almost to the beach, and the water looked majestic in the early afternoon sun. Jake was lucky that he could walk to the beach. There were much worse places to be stuck without a car.
“Are you a beach girl?”
“No. I’m from the mountains, remember?”
“Yeah, but do you like the beach?”
“Yes. It’s one of the reasons I stayed in Wilmington.” I looked out at the water.
“Stayed? Did you think of leaving?”
Why did I have to say that? I evaded the question. “Are you a beach guy?”
“I surf.” He ran his free hand through his shaggy, brown hair.
“Cool. I’ve always wanted to learn.”
“Yeah? I can teach you sometime.” He grinned. “I don’t need a license for that.”
“I might just take you up on that.” I was positive I wouldn’t, but he put me in a flirty mood, and I liked the thought of him in just swim trucks.
Wrecked (Clayton Falls) Page 4