He led me past the gate where a makeshift ticket booth sat sadly in need of repair. I thought he would walk me up the ramp to the stands, but instead, he tugged me into the shadows. Pressing me against the wall of a small metal shaky building, it vibrated and made a whining noise as it adjusted to our weight.
“What are you doing?” I giggled.
“Kissing my girl. I’ve always wanted to…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, crashing his lips against mine. A flash went off, and I sucked in air.
“You are crazy,” I said, looking at the picture he just took.
“I’ve always wanted to kiss the most beautiful girl under the bleachers,” he said, completing his sentence.
That was when he gave me the look. The one my mother must have seen. It choked off my words.
“You’ve never done that before?” I asked.
Slowly, his head moved side to side. “Never, not until now.”
Then he started typing.
“Now what?”
I glanced at his screen. There it was #mybeautifulgirl #kissingherunderthebleachers #bucketlist.
“You want to get laid, don’t you?” I teased.
“It has been a couple of days, and with my brother in the house, it will be a couple more before we can.” His hands danced up my legs and under my hemline. “Thank the gods you’re wearing a dress.”
I sucked in a breath as his fingers slipped inside me. “You’re ready for me.”
“Always,” I breathed, bobbing my head like a loon as I started to pant.
Fumbling with his pants, I freed him, not caring we were out in the open. So far, we were hidden. Honestly, the idea that we could get caught might have turned me on a little more.
He lifted me and looped my arms around his neck. He pressed into me, and I felt him molding himself inside me. I wouldn’t be surprised if an X-ray was taken of my lower body and there would be a hollow space shaped like his penis.
Then he started to move and nothing else mattered. Zombies could have attacked us, and I wouldn’t have noticed. All I could hear were our breaths and the slap of our skin connecting.
It didn’t take long because we were both worked up from having to abstain. He kissed my moans and cries. I kissed him back, enjoying the taste of him. When we came, you would think I’d been hit by lightning the way I jerked in his arms, spasming around him. We held each other for long moments as we caught our breath. Then we did quick work of cleanup and putting our clothes to rights.
“This is where I wanted to bring you that time.”
I remembered him mentioning the day I left when Lindsey had come over and ruined things.
“This is where it all happened for you,” I murmured.
He nodded and pointed to a place in the stands about halfway up on the right. “Dad would sit in that spot each time. I always knew if I looked, he’d be there cheering me on.”
I hugged him, not wanting him to fall too deep into the sadness. Then I pointed up.
“And now, he’s there watching over you.”
He bit his lip and tilted his head to me. “I love you with everything I am, Brie.”
“I know. And I love you back, maybe even more.”
He chuckled, some of the color returning to his skin. “I doubt it.”
“What did you say to me one time before? This is not up for debate.”
His mouth curved in a wide arch. “You’re something else.”
“I’m yours, so get used to it.” That made him laugh. Wanting to keep him smiling, I said, “Tell me you have a football with you.”
“I do. Why?”
“Go get it and see.”
He jogged off the field, leaving me to turn in circles, imagining what it was like for him, the hometown hero and smartest boy in school. What an unlikely combination. Talk about luck. I hit the lottery with him.
“Here it is,” he said, pulling me from my wayward thoughts. “Now, what are we going to do with it?”
“First, you are going to stay there, and I’m going somewhere down that way.” I pointed to the end zone.
“And then what?”
“You’ll throw me the ball, and I’ll catch it. Then you’ll try to catch me.”
He lifted a brow as his eyes turned wicked. “Oh, I’ll catch you, firefly.”
“Uh-huh. We’ll see. And no cheating. You stay there.”
I pointed at the ground, and he did as I asked. I ran, passing several white lines until I felt I had enough head start to beat him to the goalpost.
“Okay,” I called.
He threw the ball and, well, I guess you didn’t have to be a quarterback to know how to throw well. The ball was still sailing toward me when he started in my direction. My eyes kept bouncing between the ball and him, barreling toward me. Somehow, I caught it. It must have been his throwing skills. I turned and ran for all I could. Just as I started to cross the line to score, he caught me. My feet left the ground, but he cushioned my fall somehow. The air still shot from my lungs when I hit the turf.
His eyes were filled with mirth. “Thought you could win?”
I nodded, because for a second there I had. “I almost did,” I pouted.
Poking out my lip was his invitation to nip at it. I had a feeling we wouldn’t be headed home just yet.
“You have to know how competitive I am, especially when it comes to catching fireflies.”
The day had come. It was a day filled with joy and some sadness. All my friends were there in caps and gowns alongside me, including Kelley and Lenny, who were also there. Brie’s family had all flown in.
Speeches had been given, some long, some poignant. Our names had been called, one by one and down the line.
We’d tossed our caps in great tradition before everyone mingled with their families. I glanced up at the sky and smiled, knowing my father would be proud of me. He was in my heart and in the face of my brother, the spitting image of him. I hadn’t needed the DNA test, but had it done anyway, which confirmed Mom’s story. Ian was Dad’s. I also confirmed with the rehab facility that she’d shown up during visiting hours with my baby brother. So Dad had at least gotten to meet his other son. There was peace in that.
She was there, too, along with my brother. I posed for a picture kneeled down next to him as Mom captured the moment.
I still hadn’t completely forgiven her. I wasn’t even sure I was capable. But she’d stuck around like she said she would.
Taking my hat from my head, I put it on Ian.
“Looking good, squirt. This will be you one day.”
He curled a finger to our mother. She squatted down besides us.
“I’m going to be a doctor one day,” he said.
I glanced toward Brie’s family, wondering what exactly her father had been talking about to my brother. The elder Holloway had taken a liking to Ian, and over the last few days they had some intense conversations. Ian liked to ask a ton of questions, and Brie’s father had been patient with each and every one.
“What kind of doctor?” Mom asked.
“The kind that fixes hearts,” he declared.
He placed one hand on Mom’s heart and the other on mine. She and I traded awkward glances before I stood up. “That’s an awesome idea. We need more doctors like that.”
I scooped him up, ready to join Brie and get away from Mom’s pleading eyes.
Ian wasn’t finished, though. “I wish I’d been able to fix Daddy’s heart.”
The air I sucked in was barely enough to stop the tidal wave of emotion that slammed into me. “Me, too, Champ,” I choked. “Me, too.”
Kelley, Ashton, Sawyer, Mason, and Lenny came over. And I pushed back the need to break down.
“It’s great to see you, brother,” I said to Kelley.
We traded hugs. “Me, too. It’s been far too long. It sucks you got drafted to the hometown team. I was pushing for us to pick you, but you got snapped up pretty quick.”
I’d gotten picked late in the f
irst round. I’d already attended a few early camps. It was lucky for me. I didn’t have to leave the state to do it.
“Thank goodness we aren’t in the same conference. I can root for you unless we meet at the Super Bowl,” I said.
We had a good laugh about that.
“When are you leaving town?” I asked.
Lenny had drifted off to go find Brie. Mason, Ashton, Sawyer, and my little brother were chatting off to the side.
“In a couple of days. Why? Got something planned?”
“Yeah, Brie and I were thinking about having a cookout at the house tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. And what about?” He tossed a thumb in Brie’s direction.
His brow lifted, and I’d almost forgotten. “Yeah, I should handle that.”
I pointed at my brother and he waved me off, letting me know he’d keep an eye on him. Mom had gone off somewhere.
The stage wasn’t far. The crowd had thinned enough that no one was up there. I climbed the steps and found an abandoned mic left on a nearby chair for the tech crew to put away with the rest of the sound equipment. I tapped it and a loud clap thundered through the speakers. Everyone turned my way.
“Sorry about that,” I said into it.
People started to turn back to their conversations. So I sucked in a lungful of air.
“Brie Holloway, can you please join me on the stage?”
That got everyone’s attention again. I didn’t know how long I had before someone in charge stole this moment from me.
The crowd parted as she stepped forward right before I called her name again. She gave me a look that spoke volumes. She thought I was crazy. I waved her up on the stage, and she glanced around like she expected to be caught on camera in a spoof of some sort.
I took her hand once she reached me.
Into the mic, I said, “I’m a man of few words.”
She gave me the stink eye, which garnered us some chuckles from the crowd.
“Okay, maybe not, but there aren’t enough words in the English language for me to express how incredibly grateful I am you gave me a second chance.” I winked at her. “Chance, Chance.” And I pointed at me.
More laughter all around, but I saw in her eyes she started to understand what I was about to do.
“And I’ve spoken to your father. A while back actually, and he’s fine with it.”
Her eyes popped, and she turned to search the crowd. Her dad held up two thumbs. Her eyes started to shine before a tear dropped.
“Don’t cry yet,” I said, wiping away her tears. “You have no idea what I’m about to say. I might want you to pick up chips for the party.”
She laughed, but folded her arms across her chest as if telling me enough was enough. The crowd, however, was enjoying it.
Movement on my left and I caught a glimpse of security. I had to speed this up.
“I knew the first moment I saw you that you were the one.” Her brow lifted sardonically. “It’s true. It’s why I got so scared and ran. When I figured out that I couldn’t live without you, you gave me the opportunity to show you that I was worth your time. And now I don’t want you to run either. There are a lot better guys out there. Ones with jobs that mean they will be home with you every night. Ones with better pedigrees. But none of them will love you and put you first like I will. You mean more to me than a football contract, more than the diploma I received today. If you aren’t in my life to share the future with me, none of it matters.”
Before I came on stage, I’d unzipped the robe, so it was easy as I bent on one knee and pulled the ring from my pocket. Security was at the stairs, but even they paused.
“Brie Holloway, will you do me the greatest honor and agree to become my wife?”
There was the king of all pauses. Cars could be heard traveling on a nearby road it had gotten so quiet. She looked like she hadn’t breathed. And I started to think that she would say no. My heart clenched. I started to put the ring back into my pocket and began to think of an apology to give to everyone for taking their time.
“Yes,” she gasped. “Yes, I will marry you.”
The crowd roared. Pictures were taken as she held out shaky hands. I placed the large diamond onto her finger. Although it was big, it wasn’t huge. I’d only spent a fraction of my first season salary. It was an investment I felt was worth it.
With all of the cameras held up in our direction as our mouths met, I was sure the whole thing would end up in social media in a matter of minutes if not seconds.
I wrapped her in my arms. Bending her backward in a dip, I kissed her like I hoped to on our wedding day.
Later, we had dinner with Brie’s family and our friends. There were several things to celebrate, from graduation, our engagement, and even a birthday. Her dad had clapped me on the shoulder and officially welcomed me to the family. However, my mother didn’t show up even though she’d been invited. Ian had come, and with Brian and Brenda’s kids added to the bunch, there were plenty of kids around his age to play with.
The sun was setting when we finally made it back. I had to carry my brother inside. He’d conked out on the ride. Dad’s house seemed tinier now as we crowded in the living room. Ian woke as soon as we walked in. He animatedly got to his feet, having caught his second wind.
“Brie, do you mind taking Ian outside for a few minutes?” Mom asked.
“Sure.”
Once the door closed behind them, I glanced over at where a suitcase sat waiting by the door. I wasn’t shocked. It had only been a matter of time.
“You’re leaving?”
She stood, moving her head in agreement. “Chance—”
“Save your excuses, Clarissa. I’m surprised you lasted this long. My only concern is for my brother. He’s supposed to start school this year. That was your reason for hanging around all of this time, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, he does need to be in a stable environment. And I tried. I really did. But I have this opportunity to see South America, traveling around to small villages, giving aid.”
“It wouldn’t matter to me if you were joining the Peace Corps. Helping others is an awesome thing to do, but not at the expense of your family. And you lost that with me. You can do the right thing this time. He’s your son. ”
“Yes, I know.” She glanced at her fingers before bending to pick up a manila envelope from the coffee table. It felt like déjà vu. “That’s why I had this drafted up. I’ve already talked to Ian about it. He’s fine, excited actually. He sees it as a new adventure.”
I was in utter disbelief. I wondered if it was how my father felt when she’d left him and me.
“You are a selfish piece of work.”
She wiped at tears that didn’t tug at my heart in the least.
“I know you don’t believe me, but I love you, Chance, and I love your brother. But I never really wanted to be a mother. I knew I couldn’t be a good one. But I loved your father and knew if I’d aborted either one of you, he’d never forgive me. And I tried,” she sobbed as if she had a right to. “I did. But I can’t stay. And you’re better for Ian than I’ll ever be.”
She didn’t wait, didn’t go say goodbye to her younger son, she just picked up her luggage, turned one last time, and left. I stared at the door for long seconds, maybe minutes. The envelope in my hand burned. I didn’t want to read it. Somewhere inside me, the boy cried one more time for his mother. Then I closed the door on that chapter in my life. I read quickly through what she’d left me. Then I went to the kitchen to find something.
The envelope too eerily similar to the one Dad had left me, weighed heavy in my hand as I headed out back. I found my future wife and Ian playing Star Wars in the yard with the light sabers I’d gotten him for his past birthday.
I sat on the porch, wondering what I was going to say to Brie. Not much later, she caught me watching them while I gathered my thoughts.
“I’ll be right back,” she called to my brother. “I have to go talk to Command Control. Fi
ght on and may the force be with you.”
She saluted him before she jogged over to me and sat in the empty spot I patted.
“What happened? Where’s your mother?”
Apparently, she hadn’t caught sight of the suitcase like I had. Or maybe she assumed Mom was using it to carry more of her things to my grandparents’ house where she stayed while I was in town. I couldn’t imagine how Nana would cope when she found out Mom left if she didn’t already know.
“Gone.” I let the one word float in the breeze.
“What?”
Putting the envelope down, I mocked using fake cheer, “She has an opportunity to go to South America. She felt it would be selfish of her to take Ian since he should start school this year.”
Sympathy covered Brie’s pretty face. She took my hand in hers. “Is she coming back?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why do you say that?” she asked.
I touched the envelope with my index finger. “She left me documents like my brother’s birth certificate.”
She had an answer for that. “He’d need that to enroll in school.”
“There’s also a legal document where she signed over full custody of my brother to me. It just needs my signature.”
I bet she’d done the same with Dad and the divorce papers. Maybe he’d learned from her when preparing the legal stuff he left for me.
“But—”
“The document defines the differences between legal guardianship and custody. Custody is more permanent. She’s not coming back.”
Brie squeezed my hand because she knew her touch soothed all my aches, which was why this hurt so much.
“There’s something else you should know,” I began.
She searched my eyes, and I tried to hide what I truly felt.
“What? You’re scaring me.”
“I won’t be my father.”
“You’re not making sense, Chance.”
“I love you, Brie. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“I love you, too,” she repeated.
“I also have an obligation to my brother. And you didn’t sign up for what my mother has done. But I can’t abandon him. I also won’t hold you to marrying me and joining my instant family.”
Catching Fireflies Page 22