Page 47 of Sipping Seduction
She cut her lettuce-wrapped burger in half. “Just the ones from him to her. Who knows what happened to the ones she sent him.”
“Do you know his name? I can ask Cole about it. Or we could ask at the historical society.”
“I already did. I wanted to see if I could find out more and surprise you. Unfortunately, the only record they have about him is a birth date. It would be interesting to see if there’s any mention of him in the records your family has though.”
“What’s his name? I’ll mention it to Cole.”
“Logan Scott. You’ll let me know what you find out?”
“We’re in this together, Frannie. Trust me, you’ll be the first to know.”
CHAPTER24
Frannie
Sitting nextto Evan at the football game, my hand tucked into his, felt incredible. We’d attended games together before, but never as a couple. I wasn’t immune to the whispers behind our backs or the glances some of the busybodies in town cast our way, but none of that mattered. What was going on with me and Evan was our business, not theirs.
I supposed going from dating a Stewart to a Bishop had added fuel to the fire when it came to the rumor mill. If being out in public with me on his arm bothered Evan at all, he sure didn’t show it. Not only was tonight’s game special because it was the first time we were going out in public together, but it was also the homecoming game. It had been ten years since the team had made it to the sectional playoffs. Evan had been a captain that year, and the booster club had asked all the guys who’d been on the team to join them on the sideline during halftime for special recognition.
Homecoming in Beaver Bluff had always been a big deal. I’d always gone to the game to cheer on Evan, but had never been to the dance. Tomorrow night would be the first homecoming dance I’d attend, and that was only because I’d been asked to chaperone.
As the clock ticked down the final minute of the second quarter, he got up to make his way down to the field.
“You don’t have to stay here and watch this,” he said as he leaned over to give me a kiss.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” He deserved the recognition, and I hoped being honored would give him a boost of confidence. When we’d talked about him not feeling good enough for me, it struck me that no matter how many games he won or missions he accomplished, he never felt like it was enough. I glanced back to where I’d noticed his mom and dad sitting a few rows up in the stands. Mr. Bishop had always been kind to me, but he expected a lot from his kids, especially the boys. Knowing his dad was watching might make Evan feel more seen. At least that’s what I was hoping would happen as he jogged down the steps of the bleachers and joined the other guys he’d played with back then at the entrance to the field.
Ruby slid into the spot he’d vacated. “Hey. How does it feel to come out as officially dating my brother?”
“Great overall. It’s a little awkward being back at school, though. Do you have any idea how many times I sat in these bleachers and did my homework while I waited for him to give me a ride home after school?” Those days were long past, but I could still remember Evan trying to make me smile by goofing off on the field.
“Isn’t it weird going from being such good friends to…” She bit down on her lip. “Don’t make me say it. It’s got to be weird though, right? At least a little?”
“You know what’s weird?” I asked.
She shook her head and leaned closer.
“I think it’s weird that it doesn’t feel weirder. Does that make sense?” When she didn’t reply, I tried to offer a better explanation. “We’ve known each other since we were kids and have been friends for most of our lives. That means there’s a level of comfort already there. I know exactly what I’m getting with Evan, the good and the bad, and he knows me inside and out, too.”
“Can we focus on the outside part, please?” Ruby cracked a smile.
I grinned back. “What I’m trying to say is, I thought it would be awkward moving from friends to… well, more than friends. But it’s not. It feels like everything just got better.”
“I hope he doesn’t mess it up. You’re good for him and I don’t want to see him lose you as a friend. Evan seems like he’s got it all together, but I’m not so sure he does.”
With everything still so new between us, the thought of it ending felt impossible. “No matter what happens, we’ll always be friends.”
The marching band had finished their routine, and the president of the booster club grabbed a mic and walked out to center field. He talked about the undefeated season the team from ten years ago had and introduced each player. I grabbed hold of Ruby’s arm, excited to see Evan walk out onto the field.
When his name was called, Evan jogged out to join the rest of his former teammates. Watching him from this far away, I was amazed that his limp had completely disappeared. He’d been telling me how much better he felt, but I hadn’t wanted to encourage him, since a part of me believed he’d be better off having the surgery he didn’t want to talk about.
Seeing him take strong, even strides almost brought tears to my eyes.
“He looks good, doesn’t he?” Ruby asked.
“He looks great.” If it had been Charice sitting next to me, I might have added a little more about just how delectable Evan looked standing out there on the field. Even though Ruby and I had always been friends, I wasn’t about to start sharing the intimate details of my relationship with her brother.
“Too bad he didn’t have that much pep in his step when the team went to State.” Mr. Bishop stood in the aisle next to us. “Maybe they would have pulled off the win instead of getting shut out that year.”
