Page 34 of Undeniable
I knew all too well how it felt to be in Mazzie’s shoes. “My father shouldn’t be gambling. Kurtis embezzled two million from his accounting firm. Gambled that away then drained the bank accounts he and my mom had and gambled away that too. He thought he could win back the two mil, but he only dug his hole deeper. But then his employer found out what he’d done, and the next thing, he’s in prison. He was released two weeks ago. He said he changed, but that was a lie.” For some reason, it felt freeing to say all that.
“He seems like a good guy.”
“Given that he cost my mom everything, I can’t wrap my head around good.”
She tangled her hands in her lap. “I get that. I feel the same way about my mom sometimes. She has these moments that make me think that she’s changing, but then she goes and gets herself arrested. I’m afraid of CPS taking Kaylee away. But I feel grateful for Bailey’s parents, who are helping us.”
Dr. and Mrs. Armstrong were well-known in Lakemont. Mrs. Armstrong participated in several charities with my mom. I didn’t know her that well though.
“Are your parents still married?” she asked.
“On paper. But Kurtis isn’t living with her. He’s at a hotel. My mom drew up divorce papers about five years ago, but she never followed through. She still loves Kurtis.” I hoped like hell she changed her mind after she learned that her husband was gambling again. “Can we talk about something else?” My mood was turning south. “Are you going to homecoming next weekend?”
“I haven’t been to homecoming since my freshman year.”
I stole a glance at her, digging deep for the courage to ask her to go to the homecoming game. Knowing she would be in the stands might inject some newfound motivation into my performance. “Would you like to go?”
She gnawed on her bottom lip. “Are you asking me out, Hellion?”
“Uh, maybe?” Please say yes.
“What would all the other women say?” she teased.
“I only care about one, and she’s sitting next to me.”
She leaned her elbow on the console, resting her chin on her hand. “Mm.”
She was so close that I could kiss her quickly. But then I might drive off the road.
“The midnight pep rally is electric,” I said.
“You mean the Wolf Howl where the girls gather on the football field, then the stadium lights go out, and football players have ninety seconds to kiss a girl for good luck?”
“It’s not just about that,” I argued, though I wanted to be the one to lock lips with her. “It’s about building anticipation for the game the next day. Right now, our overall stats are 2-3, and even worse, in conference play, we’re 0-2. We need to start winning games, or we’re not going to be eligible for a bowl game or conference championship.”
“And you believe in the tradition that the Wolf Howl will bring the team luck?” She sounded skeptical.
“It’s worked every year. Maybe you could be my lucky charm.”
She giggled. “I doubt that. Besides, you’ll have women lining up on the field.”
I heard a hint of something in her voice. “Are you jealous?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Not in the least.”
“Liar.”
Her cheeks turned red. “So, why don’t you have a girlfriend?”
“Maybe I haven’t found the right one yet. Your turn.”
“Men are too much trouble. I have a life plan that doesn’t include dating.”
I exited off the highway to Lakemont. “So, what happened with the cowboy?”
“Now who’s jealous?” she tossed out.
I wasn’t jealous of the cowboy. I was afraid for her. I wanted to know more about him. Keep your friends close and enemies closer. There was truth in that motto.
