“You’re welcome.”
They began the therapy session like normal. As Heath worked through the isometric exercises, there was very little discomfort. He told Raven as much.
“That’s a great sign. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dr. Bright wants you out of that boot next week.”
Raven’s voice sounded normal, but Heath saw conflicting emotions before she schooled her features. He didn’t have to ask her what she was thinking, though. Once he had the boot off, it meant it’d be easier for him to transfer back to the team physician in Cleveland. They stared at each other for a heartbeat or two before he re-focused on his exercises. It was horrible, but for the first time since he’d injured himself, he wished his recovery wasn’t going forward quite so quickly.
Or maybe he wished they’d spoken earlier. It would have given them more time to work through everything.
“Do you want to get pizza and shoot pool with me Friday night?” He watched as she looked at him in surprise.
The corners of her mouth lifted. “Pool, huh? I haven’t played in so long…”
A local church had a family center with pool tables, table tennis, a gym for basketball, and a roller skating rink. Every Friday night, they made it available to the public, encouraging families to do something together and give kids a safe place to hang out. Heath lost count of how many times he and Raven had met there and hung out with friends. They’d both gotten quite good at pool back in the day.
“I haven’t either. You’ll probably beat me. You always were the pool shark.”
She laughed outright at that. Truthfully, he’s the one who’d won nearly every time. But she was always a good sport and they had fun. Especially when she’d come up with outrageous handicaps to even up the playing field.
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Is that a yes?”
Raven unconsciously ran a finger over the scar near her mouth and finally gave a small nod. “Okay.”
There was no holding back his grin. “If you’ll text me your address, I’ll even come by and pick you up like a gentleman. Does six sound okay?”
“That’ll be fine.” She glanced at her watch. “But we’d better get moving in here, or I’ll have to cut the session off. I’ve got another patient in ten minutes.”
“Yes, ma’am.” His exaggerated drawl coaxed another smile from her. He didn’t dare try to kiss her here, but Friday night was a whole different matter.
~*~
“I still can’t believe Jerome’s Pizza is out of business.”
Raven laughed as they left a more well-known pizza restaurant. They’d enjoyed splitting a pepperoni pizza and breadsticks. But Heath couldn’t let go of the fact that his favorite pizza place had closed down nearly ten years ago. “A lot has changed around here. You’d be surprised.” It wasn’t meant as a dig at how long he’d been gone, but she realized it might have sounded that way as soon as the words left her lips. Heath opened the passenger door for her, and she got settled inside. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“No, it’s okay.” Heath shrugged as he stood in the door. “It seems like every other day I’ve been back, I discover another way that life here has changed. I can’t expect things to be any different.” There was a hint of wistfulness in his tone. “I try to remind myself most of them would’ve changed whether I was here or not.”
“That’s true. Most of them probably would have.” She smiled to try and lighten the mood. “Although you ate at Jerome’s often enough, it may have been the lack of your business that put the place under.”
“Ha, ha, very funny.” He shook his head at her. “I’m glad you agreed to go out with me tonight.”
“Me, too.” Raven was on a date with Heath. The whole thing was a bit surreal. That they were ever engaged seemed like an entire lifetime ago. Yet, as she stared into his eyes, it also felt like yesterday.
Heath hesitated then laughed at himself. “You know what? I’m going to close this door and drive us over to the family center.” He raised his eyebrows, did as he said, and got behind the wheel.
When they arrived, the parking lot was busy. Heath found a spot and went around to open the door for Raven. “Wow, this place has changed, too.”
Raven got out and they walked side by side to the entrance. “They closed it down for several months two years ago and completely renovated the place. I haven’t been in since they did all that. Someone said they put in a bowling alley.”
“No way. I’m glad to see this place is still ministering to families like this.” Heath paid the small fee that allowed them access to the activities and games inside. Once through the door, the sounds of children laughing, pool balls hitting each other and rolling across the tables, and video game machines filled the air.
A wave of nostalgia swept through Raven. Memories surfaced. They’d spent a lot of time here having fun, hanging out together, and laughing, even before they’d started dating. A couple walked by, their young son between them, and Raven swallowed hard. Maybe coming here wasn’t the best idea.
Heath must have sensed her mood. Or maybe all the memories were haunting him, too. Either way, he reached for her hand, laced their fingers together, and led the way to the pool tables. They played two games and quickly discovered playing pool was not at all like riding a bike.
Raven laughed so hard she doubled over, her palms on the edge of the table. “That was horrible,” she said, ending with a snort that had her laughing more. When she lifted her head, she found Heath watching her, a huge grin on his face as he shook his head.
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“Oh, but it was.” She put chalk on the end of her pool stick. “I almost hit that poor kid over there. They’re going to ban me from ever coming back after this.”
Heath leaned his pool stick against the table and moved to stand next to her. “You need to hold the stick differently. Here, let me show you.”
Raven’s breath rushed from her lungs as he put his arms around her and helped her adjust the way she was aiming. “Okay, now try it.”
His breath tickled the hair near her ear. How was she supposed to concentrate on anything when he was standing so close? His arm brushed against hers, and she desperately tried to focus enough to keep from making a complete fool of herself.
She didn’t sink the ball she was aiming for, but at least no one was hurt in the process. She straightened and shrugged.
Heath chuckled. “Then again, it’s not like I’m playing any better. What do I know?”
Raven laughed then. “We’re quite a pair, huh?”
Only after she spoke did she realize what she’d said. Heath’s gaze settled on hers for several breaths before he moved to take his turn.
They finished the game and sat down in chairs near the snack area. Raven placed one foot on the edge of her chair and rested her arm against it as she watched the surrounding people. There was one group of high school-aged kids laughing and carrying on by the arcade games. “It’s hard to believe we were ever that age, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it sure is.” He smiled. “I still remember the first time I met you. It was the first day of English, and you told me I was full of myself. Do you remember that?”
Raven’s cheeks warmed. Heath had been so determined that his view of the play their teacher read aloud was correct that he hadn’t been willing to listen to any other opinions. “Well, you were.” She lifted an eyebrow at him.
“You didn’t like me at first, did you?”
She hadn’t. In fact, she’d told Mandy that if she ever had to speak to Heath again, it would be too soon. “I guess you grew on me after a while.”
“How about now?”
Raven turned her head to find Heath watching her, his expression serious. “What do you mean?”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me after I left.”
She sighed and fiddled with the ends of her hair. “I don’t think I ever hated you, Heath. I was disappointed. Hurt. Confused. I blamed you, blamed myself.” She met
his eyes. “I don’t think I’ve ever been as angry with anyone as I was with you. If you’d asked me that question six months or a year later, I might have said yes, but not now.”
Heath flinched but, to his credit, said nothing as he listened.
Raven gave a little shrug. “I finally decided that I couldn’t live in the past. That I had to move forward with my life. That’s when I enrolled in San Antonio. I had to let you go like you had me. But it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” Tears built up, and she tried desperately to blink them away. “It wasn’t easy. You were my first love, Heath. And you’d broken my heart.”
He took her hand in his and placed a light kiss to the back of it. “I’m so sorry, Raven. For everything I put you through. For taking that life we’d planned together and throwing it away.” He offered her a tired smile. “I guess I should thank you for not hitting me or running me over or something when I got back to town.”
That got a chuckle out of her. “Are you kidding? I’ve been getting some of my revenge through therapy.” She gave him a wink that had him smiling.
They sat for a while and talked about the memories they both shared from their high school days.
When the family center announced they were closing in ten minutes, Heath and Raven stood together to leave. “I guess I should take you home,” he said as he held the door open for her. They walked across the parking lot, lit up with bright lights overhead. Once they were settled in the truck, he started the engine and drove her back to her place, then walked her to her door. It was a good thing she’d left the porch light on, although the number of moths flittering around it made them both duck more than once. “I assume you’ll be there to work on the float tomorrow?”
Oh, tomorrow was Saturday. “Of course. It’s the last volunteer day, I can’t ruin my perfect attendance record now.” She thought about the party afterward and patted her middle. “Though if I’d remembered the pizza party, I might have suggested we eat somewhere else tonight.”
“Nah, there’s no such thing as too much pizza.”
The sparkle in his eyes made her laugh. “Maybe so. Though my mom disagrees. She likes to remind me I’m not a spring chicken and should watch what I eat.”
Heath shook his head. “She has no idea what she’s talking about. You look more beautiful now than you did when we were in high school.”
His words caused her heart to tumble around in her chest. He’d always said the sweetest things back then. It would seem his ability to have the right words at the right time hadn’t changed. If he kept on like this, it would make it all the harder to keep an emotional distance. “Heath…”
Before she could say another word, he’d closed the distance between them and gently cradled her face with his hands. His lips touched hers in a kiss so sweet and gentle, she thought she might melt into a puddle at their feet. Way too soon, he leaned back again and smiled. “Good night, Raven.”
Raven stood at the doorway, a finger resting on her lips, as she watched him walk back to his truck. He gave her a small wave and then drove away.
Every moment with Heath only reawakened the love she’d tried to keep buried. What was she going to do when he left again and took her heart along with him?
Chapter Fifteen
“What’s with the goofy grin?” Chrissy set the container of coffees on the table nearby and fixed Raven with a knowing look.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Raven made a point of not looking across the garage where Heath was working on the float.
“Uh-huh. And the suspicious grin that appears every time a certain running back walks by has nothing to do with it.”
Raven grimaced. And here she thought she’d been keeping it cool. The last thing she needed was for rumors to fly around and get back to her parents. She hadn’t worked through her own mess of emotions; she certainly didn’t need her parents’ input.
She waited until a couple of people moved away and then lowered her voice. “I’m a glutton for punishment. I’m letting him get to me again, letting myself hope for something that’ll never work.”
“Why not?” Chrissy leaned against the edge of one table and quirked an eyebrow at her friend. “Seriously, even I can tell there’s something between you two. Something special. I think it’s worth fighting for.”
“He’ll leave again. I can’t fight for something that isn’t here.” Raven sighed. She noticed a guy pass by who didn’t try to hide his interest in Chrissy. “I think you’ve got an admirer.”
Chrissy followed Raven’s gaze and immediately shook her head. “Uh, no.” Her cheeks darkened.
“Why not?”
“Because I went out with him a few weeks ago. Then one day he came into the coffee shop with another date.” She wrapped the blue section of her hair around one finger.
“Wow. What a jerk.” Raven gave her friend a hug. “Come on, we need to stop talking about our non-existent love lives and get to work.” She observed the progress with satisfaction. “One thing you can’t fault Clearwater High for: commitment.”
“That’s the truth.”
The large group of volunteers finished with the list of projects early and began to clean up while Carl and a couple other guys went to pick up the pizza and sodas.
The food barely made it to the tables before people swarmed in to grab slices and visit as they ate.
Raven took her plate and sat on the curb outside where it wasn’t as crowded. She hadn’t been there more than a minute before she heard footsteps behind her.
“Is this seat taken?” Heath didn’t wait for her response before sitting beside her. He tilted his head toward her plate. “You’re being a rebel tonight, I see.”
She chuckled. “If choosing sausage over pepperoni is being a rebel, I am in desperate need of excitement in my life.” She took a bite and had to use the other hand to gather up the string of cheese that followed. “It’s good.”
Heath took a bite twice the size of what she had. “It sure is.”
They ate as they talked about the float and the parade, game, and homecoming the following weekend.
When they finished their pizza, Heath reached over and took her plate, putting it on top of his. “I’ll be right back.”
He must have thrown them away because he returned empty handed. He rejoined her on the curb. “You know, someone talked me into attending the game and going to the homecoming dance as a chaperone. I might not stick out like a sore thumb so much if I weren’t going alone.” He gave her one of his flirty grins. “Would you do me the honor of going to homecoming with me, Raven?”
That was not a good idea. Raven’s brain warred with her heart, and before she’d reached a resolution, her mouth answered for her. “Since a certain sister of mine talked me into filling in for her as well, it’d be a shame to not go together.”
Heath raised an eyebrow at her. “That wasn’t quite the resounding yes I’d hoped for, but I’ll take it.” He leaned over and bumped her shoulder with his. “I’d like to take you to lunch. Maybe go to the parade together and make a day of it. Do you work that afternoon?”
The schools all had a half day next Friday, and CRC did the same. A lot of businesses closed early so people could attend the community event. “No, I don’t have to work.” She usually avoided the parade and the smothering crowds. It was bad enough that she had to attend the game and the dance that night, too. Then again, if she went to the parade with Heath, maybe it wouldn’t be as bad.
“Good. I’ll pick you up at twelve-thirty.” He leaned over then and placed a light kiss to her cheek. “With any luck, maybe I’ll get rid of this boot by then and convince you to dance with me.”
His mention of the boot dampened Raven’s spirits, and she tried not to think about what that ultimately meant. She forced herself to smile. “Don’t count on it, cowboy.”
~*~
Heath was happy to see Dr. Bright come in with Raven the following Tuesday at CRC. By the end of the session, he’d
ditched the boot completely. When Dr. Bright informed him he could keep it, Heath politely declined. He was more than happy to leave it behind.
Dr. Bright did most of the talking as she went over what the rest of his physical therapy would look like for the following months. “We thank you for choosing CRC. Know you’re welcome to stay here as long as you’d like. I will send a report over to your team doctor today as well, though, so you can transfer back at your convenience.”
Heath glanced at Raven, but she remained stoic. “I appreciate it, thank you.” He flexed his foot. “It may take a while to get back to normal, but getting rid of that blasted thing will make all the difference.”
By the time Dr. Bright left, the session was nearly over. They worked on a few of the isometrics, but Raven wasn’t her normal talkative self. Heath didn’t want to press her, either. Before she opened the door, and he headed to the gym, he put an arm around her shoulders. “Are we still on for Friday?” She nodded. “Good. I’ll text or call later, okay?”
“Okay.”
He wished he knew what to say to make that frown on her pretty face disappear. But he didn’t have the words.
They only talked for a few minutes that night and texted a time or two on Wednesday. It was bothering him that he couldn’t go see her in person, but he sensed she needed some space. Thursday night, he headed over to his parents’ house for dinner. Mom had cooked a roast and insisted he come and share it.
Heath had forgotten how much he enjoyed his mom’s roast. He slathered it and the mashed potatoes with brown gravy. “This looks amazing. Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome.” She grinned as she watched him dig into his meal. “Your father and I are looking forward to the game tomorrow.”
Heath smiled and nodded. Once he’d swallowed his mouthful, he replied, “I am, too. Carl asked me to join the team on the sidelines, so that should be fun.” He said nothing about spending the afternoon with Raven or taking her to the dance. Heath wasn’t in the mood to deal with the negative response that would have followed. His mom made this big meal, and Heath didn’t want it ruined by his father’s inability to hold his tongue.
Marrying Raven (Brides of Clearwater Book 2) Page 12