“Get a room, you two, jeez.” We were interrupted by a smiling Dallin.
Jamie groaned, hiding his face in the place between my neck and shoulder, while I laughed.
“Get used to it, Dal.”
“Nope. No way. We’re gonna have to set up some ground rules.”
Dallin began listing off his ‘rules’. “No kissing in front of me. Definitely, no making out. Snuggling is okay as long as no kissing is involved. And if I have to watch you two make moony eyes, I’m going to throw up.”
He kept going on and on, while Jamie and I laughed. And made moony eyes at each other.
Thunder City was fun, as always. But nothing could have prepared me to be the center of Jamie’s attention the way I was during our day at the amusement park. We held hands, laughed, flirted, shared a huge basket of cheese fries, and solidified our status as boyfriend/girlfriend.
Jamie confided in me the conversation he’d had with his mom and we talked at length about the fears that had kept him from committing to a relationship this last year. His fingers came up to twist in a few loose curls near my temple.
“I was so afraid of getting my heart broken, I ended up breaking yours as well as my own. I’m so sorry, Bailey.” We’d talked about Elise. It was difficult and I didn’t really want to hear his excuses, but in the end, I understood what he’d done. I didn’t agree with it and I threatened to behead him if he ever did anything like that while we were together, but I did understand. And I forgave him.
Once we got back home, we snuggled while watching a movie and engaged in a little CMO- committed make out.
“You know, you were right,” he said between kisses.
“About?”
“Kissing. I love kissing my girlfriend.” To prove his point, he deepened our kiss until my head was spinning.
“Kissing your girlfriend is better than kissing some random girl, huh?” I teased, even though I didn’t really want to think about him kissing other girls anymore.
“Yeah. But mostly, kissing you is better than kissing anyone. Ever.”
Jamie
Tonight was the night. Homecoming. The biggest game of the season. I’d invited my mom to come. I wasn’t sure if she would make an appearance, leaving the house still wasn’t her thing, but I hoped. Bailey was wearing my jersey again and Coach informed me just a few minutes before kickoff that the place was crawling with scouts from D1 and D2 teams.
The pressure was on.
The home stands were packed and my eyes immediately began searching for Bailey. She was easy to spot wearing my jersey. She’d found a seat with her parents who’d come to cheer on the team. Her mom had sat me down the other day to let me know she knew about our little sleepovers in the bean bag chair and that she expected those to end. I suppose I wasn’t surprised she knew about that or that she was laying down the law. I’d respect her wishes for now, but once we graduated, it was no holds bar.
I tried not to let the disappointment get to me when a certain wheelchaired lady never showed up in the stands. Then during the break between the first and second quarters, I noticed a familiar SUV parked near the fence on the visitor’s side and my heart lifted. She’d come.
While the rest of the team gathered in one end-zone for half-time, I ran and hopped the fence on the visitor’s side. She immediately opened the door and I hugged her, shoulder pads and all.
“I’m so proud of you, Jamie,” her voice croaked.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” she replied, holding me tight.
“They’re gonna announce Homecoming King and Queen in a few minutes.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Your dad would be proud to see you out there, baby.”
I hugged her again. “Thanks, Mom.”
“I love you! Good luck.” she called as I ran back to where the Homecoming Court had gathered at the fifty-yard line.
A few of the other guys from the football team and some cheerleaders made up most of the Homecoming Court. I didn’t really care if I won king or not, I just wanted to get back out on the field and win this game. I knew the other guys felt the same way.
From the press box, the announcer called out the winning class for spirit week. The juniors. Then he called out the class voted to have the best float in the parade from earlier that afternoon. The seniors. The freshman won the hallway decorating and the sophomores were just gonna have to try better next year.
“And now for this year’s Homecoming King and Queen voted by the student body today during lunch. For your Homecoming King, Jamie Barnes. Give a round of applause for Jamie, this year’s Homecoming King!”
The school’s athletic director waved me over to where he stood at center field and handed me a plastic crown.
“You’ll give these flowers to the queen when she’s announced,” he told me with a wink as he handed me a bouquet of roses.
I stood and waited for the announcer to speak again my gaze automatically finding Bailey’s. She was smiling and when our eyes met, she gave me a thumbs up. I wished I could give her the roses in my arms, but Bailey hadn’t been nominated. Word had gotten around school this week that we were a couple and I couldn’t help wishing I’d gotten my act together sooner then we might have had a chance to be King and Queen together. People were loving the fact that Bailey had tamed the NCMO King.
“And for your Homecoming Queen. Now, folks, this has never happened in school history. This year’s Homecoming Queen was not nominated and her name wasn’t even on the ballot, but she was voted Queen by an astounding seventy-eight percent. Please, a round of applause for this year’s Homecoming Queen, Bailey Campbell.”
I knew it!
Bailey stood, stunned, next to her parents as the student section of the crowd erupted into cheers.
“Is Bailey Campbell in attendance tonight? Bailey, please make your way down to the field,” the announcer called out over the loudspeaker.
Bailey still didn’t move. Her mom nudged her shoulder, breaking her out of the trance she’d been in since her name was called.
“Here, I’ll take that, too.” I reached for the queen’s crown held in the athletic director’s hand and started running toward my Queen.
Bailey was moving slowly, but at least she was on her way down to me.
“Come on, Bales,” I shouted over the cheering.
Her lips curved in an embarrassed smile, but her legs moved faster as they carried her down to the field.
I didn’t wait for her and as soon as I could, I swept her into my arms, twirling her around to the sound of the cheering crowd.
“Oh, my gosh, Jamie.” Bailey’s face was bright red, but she was smiling and it was the most beautiful smile. I set her down long enough to place the crown on her head and hand over her flowers.
And then I kissed her.
Chapter 26
Bailey
Jamie led the team to a win and I had to sit through the second half of the game with a plastic tiara on my head. How in the world I was ever voted Homecoming Queen I will never understand, but I was more than a little happy that during the dance between King and Queen, Jamie would be dancing with me and not one of his former make out buddies.
“Oh, Bailey, you look beautiful,” Mom breathed from the doorway to my room. We’d scoured the mall two nights in a row this week to find a dress, a navy blue, floor length freaking ball gown. It was incredible and made me feel like a princess. Or maybe like a Queen. I’d made a hair appointment and mom helped me with my nails and make up. I have to admit, I was pleased with the results.
“Do you think?” I twirled in front of the mirror.
Mom stepped all the way into the room, her eyes sparkling as she smiled. “Yes. You look amazing.”
“Will Jamie think so?” I don’t know why I was worried. The boy didn’t seem to care what I wore, he’d kiss me in my school clothes, sweaty from practice, and in my ratty sweatpants. Why did I think he’d suddenly decide kissing me in a formal was
out of the question? I was stupid, that’s why.
“He’s downstairs. Why don’t you find out for yourself?” She backed out of my room again with a wink.
He’s downstairs. Taking in a shaky breath, I wrung my hands out at my sides. I wanted this. I wanted to be Jamie’s date, so why was I freaking out?
By the time I worked up the courage to head down the stairs, I half expected Jamie to yell up at me to get my roll on. Instead, he was standing at the bottom making polite conversation with my parents, Preston dangling from one forearm. The sight of him, so handsome in his charcoal grey tuxedo, doing something so normal and sweet as playing with my little brother loosened some of the tight places in my nervous body. I could handle this. This was just me. Just Jamie- my best friend.
I finally drew Jamie’s attention away from my family by the time I was halfway down the stairs. It was gratifying that he paused mid-sentence to watch as I descended the rest of the way.
Jamie lowered Preston to the ground and I noticed my dad hook my brother around the waist to keep him from jumping on Jamie again. It didn’t matter. Jamie’s eyes were locked on mine, and the way he was looking at me, I wasn’t sure he would have noticed an earthquake right then.
“You-” he paused to clear his throat. “Bailey- wow.” His gaze drifted over my body from head to slipper-clad toe. “You look amazing.”
A relieved giggle escaped my lips. “You don’t look half bad yourself.” And, boy, he didn’t.
“What this old thing,” he teased, but his eyes never left me.
“Here, you guys exchange flowers and I’ll take some pictures,” my mom suggested, but I could tell she’d already been snapping photos with her phone.
We decided on red roses for my corsage and his boutonniere. The bright pop of color looked so good with our dark clothes. My fingers shook as I tried not to stab him with the pearl tipped pin as I attached the single red rose to his lapel. He had it easy, I thought as he held the little elastic wristband open for me to slip my hand through. It made me feel a bit better, though, when he gripped my hand and it felt just as clammy as mine. I had to laugh. Why were we so nervous? I’ve seen pictures of this man when he was still in diapers.
We posed for my mom to snap more pictures, even taking a couple with all of my siblings. When we finally were able to sneak out the door, we headed over to his house to let his mom take a few. I had to give her a big hug when her eyes filled with tears as we walked in. I noticed Jamie clearing the emotion from his throat a couple of times before we headed out to his car.
“You ready for this?” he asked after parking the car in the covered parking garage attached to the hotel where the dance was being held.
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Let’s do it, then.” He came around to open my door, but before I could climb out, he grasped my hips and lifted me into his arms.
“How did I get so lucky? You are so beautiful,” he said just before his lips found mine.
Jamie’s kiss was soft and gentle and made me feel loved and cherished.
“I love you.” The words slipped out as the pressure from his lips eased and for a brief, terrifying moment, I waited for him to say something.
“You do?” he asked. I couldn’t tell if the timber of his voice was skeptical or hopeful.
I nodded. He’d heard me say the words, there was no taking them back now. The next thing I knew, I was being crushed to his chest. Jamie buried his face in the crook of my neck. I wasn’t sure how to take his reaction.
“Is-” I swallowed hard. “Is that okay?”
He lifted his head until his eyes found mine. “Okay? Bales-” he shook his head. “Bales, I love you, too.”
I smiled so big, my cheeks hurt. My life seemed practically perfect. I was with the man I loved, who loved me, at the Homecoming Dance where we were crowned King and Queen. It was like my every childhood dream come true. Well, maybe not every, but it was a good start.
Jamie dropped another searing kiss to my lips. “Come on, my Queen. We have some dancing to do.”
Jamie
Of course, things came full circle. On the way inside the hotel, at almost the exact spot where Allie and I had left him standing as we drove away almost exactly one year ago, we ran into Connor. Allie was at his side looking radiantly happy.
“What’s up, Barnes?” Connor reached out and I met him halfway in a firm handshake.
“Good to see you, Connor. Come back for redemption?” I winked at Allie to let her know I was just teasing.
Connor’s expression soured. “Funny.” He pulled Allie closer to his side, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “Heard you’ve had a good season this year.”
I nodded, petty enough to be glad to have my own girl at my side meeting him again. “We’re doing okay.” I didn’t want to sound too cocky. Connor was a legend. He and I both knew I could never be in the same category as him.
“Undefeated. I’d say that’s better than okay,” he replied as we walked through the automatic doors leading to the hotel lobby.
I shrugged. “We’ve worked hard.”
Connor stopped before heading down the hall leading to the dance and I followed suit. At my side, Bailey’s hand squeezed mine reassuringly.
“I’ve heard you might have some offers for next year.” I had no idea how he heard about that. I was pretty sure I was so far off Connor Sanders’s radar he’d forgotten my name. I couldn’t help it if my chest puffed out just a little that he hadn’t.
“Maybe,” I agreed. I knew I was going to be hearing from a couple of colleges. Coach Reno had already told me, but there hadn’t been anything official yet.
“I might have some advice for you if you’re interested in hearing it,” Connor offered.
I glanced around. I was interested, but I wasn’t sure this was the time or the place.
Connor chuckled. “Not now. Get my number from Allie and give me a call. There are a few things I wished someone had told me when I was going through the process. I might be able to help you out a little.”
Wow. I had not been expecting that. I held out my hand again. “Thanks, Connor. That would be really great.”
Connor smiled and accepted my hand. “No problem. I think I might owe you a little.” He winked down at Allie who grinned. “You guys have a good night. You look lovely, Bailey.”
“T-Thanks,” Bailey stuttered as they walked away from us.
“What the hell just happened?” I whispered as we both started laughing quietly.
“Oh, my gosh. I don’t know, but Connor Sanders knows my name.” She looked a little star struck.
“Hey, now,” I teased, tucking her under my arm.
Bailey grinned. “Don’t worry, Jamie. I still think you’re a pretty big deal.”
“And don’t you forget it.” I squeezed her into my chest. “Come on, Ms. Campbell, my Queen. I think I owe you a dance.”
Epilogue
Bailey
And dance with me he did. Every chance he got for the next year. I had to hand it to him, once Jamie got the whole commitment thing down, he became a pro. We stayed together through our senior year, the following summer and into our freshman year at the small university where Jamie accepted a full ride scholarship to play football.
That advice he took from Connor paid off. Rather than go to a big school and ride the bench for four years, Jamie played two years at the Division 2 school before gaining the attention of a ranked Division 1 school two states away. We both transferred and he started every game our senior year.
“Just calm down,” I ordered as I tried to pry my cold, dead fingers out of his grasp.
“Calm down,” he ground out between clenched teeth. “Do you realize where we are, Bales? The NFL Draft. That’s where we are. The freaking NFL Draft.”
“I know, baby, but unless you want your big day ruined by a trip to the hospital because you’ve permanently damaged my fingers, you better just calm. Down.”
Jamie’s grip loosene
d infinitesimally. “I’m sorry. I’m just so nervous.”
We were at a table on the main floor. The first round had already come and gone, but Jamie’s agent was convinced he’d go in the second round. There had been a lot of media coverage after Connor was drafted last year and Jamie came along after graduating from the same high school. Reporters had interviewed Coach Reno and several friends and family members, including JJ Coleman who also played in the NFL and Ethan Russell who’d been drafted by a team in the Canadian Football League. That was a lot of professional athletes to come out of our small high school in such a short amount of time.
“Dude, just chill. You’re making me nervous.” Dallin rolled his eyes without looking up from his phone. He was texting Rylee Jacks, his long-time girlfriend, who planned to meet us for dinner after we were finished here. Dallin wouldn't be playing professional ball, but he’d landed a sweet job as an athletic trainer at a large sports medicine clinic near our hometown. He started next week and he’d been following Jamie and I around for the last two weeks. It felt just like old times.
“Everything’s gonna be just fine, you’ll see.” Jamie’s mom sat on his other side in her wheelchair. Her fiancé, a man she’d met at a grief support group, smiled encouragingly as he held her hand, his fingers looking just as purple as mine.
And then, the most wonderful thing happened, Jamie’s name was called.
“Ohmigosh. Ohmigosh!” We all stood and Dallin and I smashed Jamie in a hug for the ages. “You did it, baby. You did it.”
“Come on, Jamie. You gotta go up there, man.” Jamie’s agent broke up our group hug and herded Jamie up to the podium.
Tears welled in my eyes as I watched him climb those steps, buttoning the front of his new tailored suit jacket. He looked incredible. My best friend. My love. My football star. I couldn't believe it. Dallin took Jamie’s seat beside me and let me squeeze the life out of his fingers while Jamie stood on the stage and posed holding a jersey with his name on the back.
The Perks of Kissing You (Perks Book 3) Page 18