Page 29 of Autumn Skies & Pumpkin Pies

Rocker sits up abruptly, his hand falls away from mine. I know he’s upset and may be to some extent he has a right to be but ultimately it was my decision. “Why would you tell her that? It wasn’t just your decision to make.”

“It was my decision, but I asked her not to tell you because I knew you’d drop everything to come and make sure I was okay, and I didn’t want that. It made me feel better knowing you were out there playing the game you loved. Plus, you never know how something like that could turn out. Things weren’t so pretty for a good period of time and I didn’t want you to remember me that way...if things didn’t turn out for the best. The memories you had of me, even the bad ones, were better than I was at that point in time. So, yes, I asked her not to tell you and a part of me is sorry that you got it thrown on you now. I should have told you myself sooner but in all honesty this subject is a difficult one for me to talk about. I don’t like remembering it but you deserved to hear it from me instead of everyone else, for that I’m sorry, but I also didn’t know how long you were actually staying here, in Blue Ridge,” I admit.

Rocker shakes his head. “This is where I am now. This is my home and you’re my girl, Warbee.”

“Yeah, for now, but what happens when the big city calls again? What happens when you get offered a better job?” This is the part that scares me the most. Losing him again.

Rocker pulls me over and into his lap. “I’m not going anywhere. This is where I want to be. It’s simple really. I want to be where you are, always.”

Twenty-Eight

Rocker

I lean over the counter and press a quick kiss to Warbee. Mrs. Prado finally returned from maternity leave so Warbee returned to the bakery full time. I miss being able to see her whenever I feel like it during the day, but I also know she loves the bakery more than anything. I’m lucky enough to be able to run over there for lunch every day. It’s become our routine. Warbee is an amazing cook on top of baking. I’ve mentioned her expanding the bakery to include a restaurant, but right now she’s happy and if she’s happy then so am I.

After Warbee told me about her past, we found ourselves as individuals and as a couple. We were able to move forward without anything holding us back. It was a great feeling. Now, I wake up almost every morning to find Warbee running around getting ready to head to the bakery and every night I get to fall asleep with her in my arms. She completes me in ways I didn’t know were missing.

“You know you shouldn’t be kissing me while I’m working,” she teases.

I look over my shoulder at the bakery full of citizens and a line behind me and wink. “I don’t think they mind. It gives them something to talk about.”

“You need to get to work. You have a few more games to win, if I’m not mistaken.” Warbee pushes me away in that playful way that she does but I know she’d keep me all day if she could.

I chuckle. “Okay, okay, I’ll go.” I give her one more quick kiss before heading out to my truck. She’s right though. The team has been doing amazing. We’ve been undefeated since the first game I coached. Expectations have risen even more, but the boys keep going out and playing their hearts out every single game and now their season is almost undefeated with the exception of one game.

Practice has been rough this week though. There’s a really bad stomach bug going around town and it’s taken over the school. Almost half the players on my team are out sick along with both of the assistant coaches, so Warbee has been helping me out at practice. She has no clue what she’s doing but she helps keep the boys hydrated, which I appreciate. Keefer showed up by Wednesday to help out until further notice. I guess they have perks since they own their own businesses.

By Thursday, we’re all starting to run down to empty. Our small town has felt the impact of the stomach bug and I’ve asked Warbee to stop coming to help since she already has a weaker immune system. Keefer and I can manage, but at this point it won’t make much of a difference. I really don’t know how we're going to manage to pull a win out this week.

Practice is over and I see Warbee walking towards Keefer and me. Just seeing her brings a smile to my face despite everything going on in the world. I stand up and pull her into my arms once she’s close enough. Her scent is an instant balm to my soul. “God, I love you.”

She smiles up at me. “I love you, too. Rough day y’all?” she asks.

“That’s an understatement,” Keefer replies.

We’re standing there talking when I notice a car, one that definitely doesn’t belong in Blue Ridge. The shiny BMW sparkles as the setting sun hits it. Warbee and Keefer fall silent as they follow my eyesight. “Who is that?” Keefer asks.

I shrug and shake my head because I honestly don’t know. At least, not until he steps out of the car. KJ Sprouse, silent owner to a few of the NFL teams. I’ve met him a few times throughout my career. He’s a nice guy and loaded with more money than he knows what to do with. As he crosses the field in his three-thousand-dollar suit, I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing here. “Rocker Gordon, you’re a hard man to find.”

I chuckle. “Not if you know where to look.”

“Touche.” As he approaches, he extends his hand to me. “It’s good to see you again.” After we shake, I introduce him to Warbee and Keefer. “This is a nice little town you have here.”

“Yeah, it is. We’re all fond of it.” Silence falls between us. After giving KJ a moment to inform us what he’s doing here I ask, “So, what brings you to our part of the country?”

“You, actually.” His dark brown eyes fall upon me and make me nervous.

“What about me?”

“I have an opportunity that I think you would be perfect for. I’ve recently bought into a B league NFL team that could use some damn good coaching. The kind of coaching that I’ve noticed you’ve been up to. You’ve managed to make this local high school team undefeated. Just imagine what you could do with a team like this. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art equipment, everything at your disposal and a very hefty salary.” I can see the sparkle in his eye. He thinks he’s offering me the world and a different me would have thought that as well. While his offer is tempting, I know the job won’t be in Blue Ridge. “Don’t answer now.” He hands me his card. “Just give me a call after you’ve had time to think about it.”

I tell him thank you and we watch as he leaves. “Let’s go grab some food. My treat,” I tell them. Warbee smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

Later that night, while we’re lying in bed, Warbee rolls over and stares at me. “I think we should talk about today.”

“What about it?” I have a feeling the offer is bothering her. She’s been quiet ever since KJ has showed up.

Warbee sits up, so I do the same. We get comfortable against the headboard of my bed. “Mr. Sprouse’s offer is a really great opportunity. I think you should take it.”

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