Page 57 of Under the Lights
The man, who was probably a little intoxicated, looked from Chase to the door and back. “Kelly McDonnell, huh? Lucky bastard.”
He had vague recognition of the guy’s face, but he couldn’t come up with a name, which meant they’d probably gone to school together but were in different years or different social circles. It had been happening to him since he’d arrived in town, though most people were quick to fill in the blanks. This guy was too drunk to care that Chase had no clue who he was.
“Tried to hit that last summer,” the guy continued. “Figured I’d get out of a ticket and get laid at the same time. She went all ice princess on me, though. Stuck-up bitch.”
Chase’s right hand went so far as to curl into a fist, but he didn’t plow it into the asshole’s face. As satisfying as it would be, it wasn’t worth it. And Kelly being dragged into a Stewart Mills police report about two guys fighting over sexual remarks made about her would be humiliating on both a personal and professional level.
“Guess she just wasn’t that into you,” was all he said, and started past him.
“Guess Coach’s daughter wanted herself a washed-up football player,” the guy called after him, but Chase didn’t take the bait. He just kept on walking.
As always, the lights had been left on for him at the McDonnell house, but he was surprised to hear the television when he went through the front door. Coach and his wife hadn’t gone to bed yet, and walking into the living room felt like walking into a brick wall of tension. Coach looked up from his television show long enough to nod, his jaw tight, but Mrs. McDonnell smiled.
“How was your dinner?”
“It was good,” he said, not knowing if she’d guessed—or even knew for a fact—that his dinner had been with her daughter. It was obvious Coach thought it, so she must, too. Maybe she was just handling it better.
“Have a seat if you want. This show just started, but you haven’t missed much. There’s a dead body and they have to figure out whodunit.”
“I’ll probably go upstairs and settle in.” Which was ridiculous. It was too early for him to go to bed and they all knew it. “The big game’s tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?” She set her knitting in her lap, looking concerned. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I’ve seen them on the field,” Coach said. “Trust me, he needs all the rest he can get.”
The smile took the edge off of the implication he wanted Chase to go away, but he got the message nonetheless. After saying good night, he went upstairs and stretched out on top of Kelly’s bed to stare at the ceiling.
Apparently he hadn’t done a good enough job of screwing up his life in New Jersey, so he had to continue on in Stewart Mills. People were gossiping about him and Kelly, which was the one thing she specifically hadn’t wanted to happen. And Coach McDonnell wasn’t happy one of his former players was messing around with his daughter, which was the thing Chase hadn’t wanted to happen.
If he fumbled the ball tomorrow as badly as he was fumbling life, the alumni team didn’t stand a chance.
—
The next morning, Kelly parked her cruiser next to Jen’s car in the school parking lot and used her key to let herself in. The teachers and custodial team were in the building a lot during the summer months, but the doors were always locked because the office wasn’t always staffed.
It was going to be a long day that started with an early shift and would end with the alumni game—and a late lunch with Chase in between—but she had to nail down a few details for the parade. Since she’d been driving by when she remembered Chase’s concerns about walking, she decided to drop in instead of calling.
She made her way back to the guidance office and saw Jen bent over her desk, flipping through a folder. “Hey.”
“Hey! What brings you here?” Her brows furrowed. “Please tell me none of the kids are in trouble.”
“Nope. Nothing like that. They’ve been great, actually. I think seeing the town turn out the way it has to help them out is making a difference. They’ve been in better spirits and they’re eager to help wherever they can. I just stopped by to say hello because I’m bored.”
“Boring’s probably a good thing in your line of work.”
“Makes for long shifts, though.”
“I’m just catching up on some reading. Sit down and tell me how things are going with you and Chase.”
“Not boring.” She sat in the visitor’s chair with a sigh. Frozen pizzas had definitely been the right choice, since they were in bed less than two minutes after she let him in. It would have been a shame to miss out on an extra orgasm or two because she was shredding lettuce for tacos.
“What do you mean by not boring? Is it getting serious?”
“No. Not serious. Just fun. Very fun, actually.” She shrugged. “Of course my mom’s worried. I’m not sure she understands sex can have nothing to do with emotion. I’ve never asked because I donotwant details, but I think my dad was her first and only.”
“Of course sex can have nothing to do with emotion. It can be for fun or as a stress release. Or maybe it just happens and nobody can figure out why. But definitely no emotion.”
Her friend sounded more agitated with each word, and Gretchen’s concerns earlier in the week ran through Kelly’s mind. “Oh my God, you had sex with Sam Leavitt, didn’t you?”
